2023 Soil Day: Experts finger mismanagement as danger to food security

 

All indications have pointed that the misabuse and neglect of soil's health could portend a threat to Sustainable Development Goal ( SDGs) of food security.

This was disclosed by experts at the 2023 world Soil Day held in Abuja on Tuesday 6th, with the theme “Soil and Water, A Source of Life” 

In his paper presentation on "Soil and Water: a source of Life " Prof. Olumuyiwa James Jayeoba said that food system sustainability and security as anticipated by the SDG is a function of efficient soil management in view of flood and climate change impacts on food security.

Prof. Jayeoba pointed that farmlands and soils are increasingly undergoing damages that pose a challenge to commercial food production, and thereby made an urgent call for appropriate intervention to ensure the soil heathiness for food security .

Speaking during the event, the Chairman Nigerian Institute of Soil Science (NISS) Prof. Ayo Ogunkunle raised consciousness to the vulnerability of soil management to climate change challenges, saying there is need for public debates on proactive soil health management for better food production.

OgunKunle pointed that soil is fast failing across the globe, every five seconds about the size of a soccer field is being lost to erosion, and it is estimated that by 2050 around 90% of the earth soil would have been degraded saying that there is cordial relationship between water and soil towards efficient food production.

Ogunkunle said that “ improved soil and water management improves the lands capacity to withstand extreme climate events as drought, flood and sand/dust storms. Just as integrated soil and water management practices provide essential ecosystem services, supporting life on earth and enhancing ecosystem resilience”.

Another presenter, a Director at Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Service (ALCCMS), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Mr. Oshadiya Olanipekun  said crops production play a vital role in food security in view of our increasing population, urbanization and high competition for use of water between man and animals.

Olanipekun pointed out that the global population has continued to expand with increase in food demand that requires more waters supply for production using climate smart technologies.

 " That's why we keep on talking about climate smart agriculture, drip irrigation, water management for crops can now be monitored around climate smart approach to efficiently use water that is vital for sustainable production and environmentally friendly, healthy cost effective, cost effective and high quality production conditions conducting proper control techniques”

The Minister, FMAFS,  Sen. Abubakar Kayri, ably represented by the Director of planning Mr. Tanimu Ibrahim stressed the importance of soil and water as being essential resources for life sustenance on Earth as they are  interconnected resources that need integrated management for food security.