Soil, the Basis of Food & Agriculture:
Managing Soil Resources to Achieve Sustainable Development
Soil recourses are fundamental for ecological sustainability and agricultural development. As the vital component of environment, soil is the basis for human livelihood, including food, fuel, fiber production, clean water availability, nutrient cycling, organic carbon stocks, and roughly 25% of global biodiversity. However, due to population explosion, greater food consumption, and competition over land use, humans are challenged by increasing problems with soil resources. On a global scale, approximately 33% of soil resources is degraded.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) carries the mission of expanding world economy and ensuring humanity’s freedom from hunger. Concerned with soil problems, policy makers from around the world promoted sustainable management of soil resources for its protection, conservation and sustainable productivity. By far, their efforts have reached governmental support for investments, technical cooperation, policy making, social awareness, and extension in soil. Also, targeted soil research and development has been established. Yet the condition is still worsening. Will you, gifted delegates, propose effective solutions that bridges human beings to a brighter future?