Steps underlined to improve soil health

MINGORA: The speakers at a function have called for steps to improve soil health, reduce erosion, pollution and enhance water infiltration and storage.

“Sustainable soil management practices, such as minimum tillage, crop rotation, organic matter addition, and cover cropping are one of these steps,” said the University of Agriculture Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Dawood Jan while speaking as the chief guest of honour at a function.

The Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, of the university had organized the seminar on the theme “Soil and Water as a source of life” to highlight the issues and its solution related to Soil and water for better agricultural sustainability and productivity.

The event was planned by the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences of the university.Prof Dr Mohammad Jamal Khan, the chairman of the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, talked about the history of the world soil day.

He pointed to the damage caused to soil and water and their resources due to climate change and human activities with statistics along with facts and figures. Prof Dr Dawood Jan said that our planet’s survival depended on the precious link between soil and water.

“Over 95 percent of our food originates from these two fundamental resources, Soil water, vital for nutrient absorption by plants, binds our ecosystems together.This symbiotic relationship is the foundation of our agricultural systems,” he explained. The academician however, said in the face of climate change and human activity, our soils were being degraded, putting excessive pressure on our water resources.

Erosion disrupts the natural balance, reducing water infiltration and availability for all forms of life.He said minimum tillage, crop rotation, organic matter addition, and cover cropping, improve soil health, reduce erosion and pollution, and enhance water infiltration and storage preserve soil biodiversity, improve fertility, and contribute to carbon sequestration, playing a crucial role in the fight against climate change. The students of Soil and Environmental Sciences prepared and displayed models related to world soil day and its theme.The vice-chancellor praised the chairman, students of the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences and faculty of the University of Agriculture Swat for the activity.