As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Soil Day, stakeholders in the agricultural sector have called on farmers and Nigerians in general to protect the soil biodiversity, which according to Scientists would play a key role in achieving food security.
Speaking at the event to mark the Day, the Vice President, Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS), Professor Geoffrey Nwaka said the celebration seeks to raise awareness about the role soil plays in achieving food and environmental security.
“The day also seeks to raise awareness about the enormous role soil plays in the achievement of food and environmental security as well as providing an excellent opportunity to engage the general public and target government, education and academic sectors, farmers, the private sector, and the civil society in general.
We are gathered here today to mark this year’s WSD event tagged “Keep Soil Alive, Protect Soil Biodiversity”, he said.
He said the day also seeks to raise awareness on the importance of sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the increasing challenges of soil biodiversity loss and raise the profile of healthy soil by encouraging governments, organizations, communities, and individuals around the world to engage in proactive improvement and sustainability of soil health.
