World Soil Day: Curbing Soil Erosion And Improving Food Security

The Nigerian Institute of Soil Science , has harped on the need to urgently enact a national soil policy to curb soil erosion and improve the nation’ s food security.

The Registrar of the Institute , Prof Victor Chude , during the commemoration of World Soil Day yesterday , in Abuja , bemoaned the obsolete nature of the National Soil Policy , saying a policy that stipulates payment of only N20 fine to those that engage in indiscriminate felling of trees is inadequate to protect the nation’ s soil.

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He said: “ Government needs to enact a National Soil Policy that would have teeth to bite to stop the destruction of our soil ; especially people who are involved in quarrying , excavation of sands for building , and felling of trees contribute in exposing the environment to erosion . They must be stopped through tougher measures to stop them from destroying the environment. ”

Speaking on the theme of the 2019 celebration , “ Stop Soil Erosion , Save Our Future,” Chude stressed the need to work hard to stop soil erosion , noting that the consequences of our inaction would affect the coming generation . So we need to stop soil erosion to save future generation. ” he stated.

He further emphasized the need for a detailed soil mapping of the country to achieve food security, as the current mapping was done in the 90 s , and there is need for a national survey that would provide soil information at a close range .

The Don maintained that if there are adequate information about the soil then farmers would be able to know the fertilizer quantity applicable in a given area, and the crops would produce the genetic yield potential determined by the plant breeders .

The Country Representative , Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations ( FAO) , Suffyan Koroma, called for the adoption of reliable and proven soil conservation technologies to reduce erosion rates on farmlands.

To achieve this , he said it requires thorough evaluation of the various strategies for soil fertility improvement and soil conservation techniques in the country. “ Several studies have demonstrated that the soil removed by either water or wind erosion is 1 . 3 to 5 times richer in organic matter than the soil left behind. This is not good for our mission to achieving food security in Nigeria .”

“ Every five seconds , the equivalent of a soccer pitch is eroded globally, affecting soil fertility as well as global food security and safety. As the world population expands , the need for enhanced awareness to tackle the concern is most desired .

He assured Nigerians of FAO’s commitment to provide technical assistance toward controlling soil erosion and environmental degradation in the country.