Stems and leaves of plants and hands digging into the ground.
Of the 18 nutrients essential to plants, 15 of them are supplied by soils while 3 are absorbed by plants through photosynthesis.
Photo:Jonathan Kemper/Unplash

Soils: where food begins

Did you know that there are more living organisms in a tablespoon of soil than people on Earth? Soil is a world made up of organisms, minerals, and organic components that provides food for humans and animals through plant growth.

Like us, soils need a balanced and varied supply of nutrients in appropriate amounts to be healthy. Agricultural systems lose nutrients with each harvest, and if soils are not managed sustainably, fertility is progressively lost, and soils will produce nutrient-deficient plants.

Soil nutrient loss is a major soil degradation process threatening nutrition. It is recognized as being among the most critical problems at a global level for food security and sustainability all around the globe.

Over the last 70 years, the level of vitamins and nutrients in food has drastically decreased, and it is estimated that 2 billion people worldwide suffer from lack of micronutrients, known as hidden hunger because it is difficult to detect.

Soil degradation induces some soils to be nutrient depleted losing their capacity to support crops, while others have such a high nutrient concentration that represent a toxic environment to plants and animals, pollutes the environment and cause climate change.

World Soil Day 2022 (#WorldSoilDay) and its campaign "Soils: Where food begins" aims to raise awareness of 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.

Observance Day poster 2022

Get the message across!

FAO’s website is full of initiatives and materials to raise awareness and disseminate these Observance’s goals on different platforms. Get to know multitude of worldwide events related to the importance of healthy soils.

Visit and help

Background

World Soil Day (WSD) is held annually on 5 December as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources.

An international day to celebrate soil was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002. Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership, FAO has supported the formal establishment of WSD as a global awareness raising platform. The FAO Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day in June 2013 and requested its official adoption at the 68th UN General Assembly. In December 2013, the UN General Assembly responded by designating 5 December 2014 as the first official World Soil Day.

Did you know?

  • 95% of our food comes from soils.
  • 18 naturally occurring chemical elements are essential to plants. Soils supply 15.
  • Agricultural production will have to increase by 60% to meet the global food demand in 2050. 
  • 33% of soils are degraded. 
  • Up to 58% more food could be produced through sustainable soil management.  

Source: FAO Trello board

Events

Join the WSD Ceremony in New York

15 December | 1:15 - 2:30 PM (EST)

Conference Room 8- UN headquarters

 

Get to know all events around the world and register yours!

Watch

Resources

Websites

Reports

Siluette of 2 farmers with a speaker

FAO has prepared multiple contests for the international day: build a cake as a tribute to the soil (deadline: December 10), create a poster that reflects the importance of soils (for children 5 to 14 years old, deadline: November 18), or, if you are a designer, soil expert or educator, submit your booklet for young readers (deadline: November 18). Besides, the FAO wants to emphasize the fantastic work of the main custodians of the soil: the farmers. Participate and give voice to the sector!

FAO project Guatemala

FAO will fast track an impact-oriented project in Central America and in sub-Saharan Africa for digital soil nutrient mapping thanks to a $20 million contribution from the United States of America. This project will scale up the use of soil mapping in regions where it is most needed and where there is a decline in fertilizer use due to price hikes. By understanding the nutrient needs, we will reduce waste when applying fertilizers and increase their effectiveness.”

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.