The United Nations(UN)’s World Soil Day(WSD) is annually observed across the globe on 5th December to create awareness about the importance of healthy soil and to advocate the sustainable management of soil resources.
The theme of World Soil Day 2022 is “Soils: where food begins”.
Background:
i.The observance of an international day dedicated to soil was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002.
ii.The formal establishment of the WSD as a global awareness-raising platform was supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO), Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership.
iii.In June 2013, the FAO Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day and requested its official adoption at the 68th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
iv.On 20th December 2013, the UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/68/232 and proclaimed the 5th December of every year as World Soil Day.
- The resolution also declared the year 2015 as the International Year of Soils.
The first ever official World Soil Day was observed on 5th December 2014.
Soils: Where food begins Campaign:
The “Soils: Where food begins” campaign of WSD 2022 aims to create awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, increasing soil awareness and encouraging societies to improve soil health.
King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2022:
The Institute of Geology (IGI) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) won the King Bhumibol Word Soil Day Award (WSDA) 2022 for its commitment to raising awareness of the importance of healthy soils, particulaly during WSD 2021 celebration.
- The award ceremony, held in Bangkok, Thailand on 5th December 2022, was presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand
- Axel Cerón González and Elizabeth Solleiro Rebolledo received the award on behalf of IGI-UNAM.
King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2022 recognises the outstanding World Soil Day event for the campaign 2021 ‘Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity.
About King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award:
i.The 6th Global Soil Partnership (GSP) Plenary Assembly endorsed the establishment of the annual King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award (WSDA).
ii.The award recognises the individuals and/or institutions that have made an effort to organize successful celebrations in the framework of the World Soil Day campaign of the previous year.
iii.The Award is sponsored by the Kingdom of Thailand.
iv.The award consists of a medal, a USD 15000 cheque, as well as a trip to Thailand (if feasible) to receive the prize.
Glinka World Soil Prize 2022:
Dr Ashok Kumar Patra from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh(MP), India won the Glinka World Soil Prize 2022 for his efforts to improve soil nutrient management in India.
He played a major role in the development of the Mridaparikshak Mini Soil Laboratory, which supports soil testing and fertilizer recommendations to millions of Indian farmers.
About Glinka World Soil Prize:
i.The Glinka World Soil Prize aims to keep up the momentum generated by the International Year of Soils 2015.
ii.The award includes a USD 15000 check and a Glinka gold-plated medal.
About Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO):
Director-General– QU Dongyu
Headquarters– Rome, Italy
Founded in – 1945
