Seminar on role of soil in global food supply held

Rawalpindi: Speakers emphasised on intrusive policies and strategies by developing the soil management system, investing in the up gradation of soil and through education & effective extension programs to increase the productivity of soil and said, " Only 10% of world soil is being used for food production which must be increased up to 60% by 2050 in order to meet with food needs.

They stated this at a national seminar on Role of Soil in Global Food Supply and oath-taking ceremony of Soil Science Society of Pakistan, held at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), here on Monday.

The seminar was organized by the Institute of Soil Sciences, PMAS-AAUR in coordination with Soil Science Society of Pakistan with an aim to highlight the importance of soil. Dr. Abdul Rasheed, Former President Soil Science Society was the chief guest while Prof. Dr Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi, Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR was the guest of honor.

While addressing the seminar, Dr. Zahir Ahmed Zahir, eminent soil scientist from Institute of Soil & Environment Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad enlightened the importance of soil in perspective of global food supply and said, " Soil is the integral part of any food web. It supports plants & animals while these two depends on soil to fulfill their basic needs."