Daily Times

MIRPUR KHAS: World Soil Day was celebrated at Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tando Jam on Thursday under the international theme 2016, “soil and pulses a symbiosis of life”, followed by a formal walk to aware the importance of soil as a critical component of natural system as a vital contributor to human well-being.

While addressing the event, Prof. Dr Mujeebuddin Memon Sahrai, Vice Chancellor, Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam said that soil constituted the foundation for agriculture development, essential ecosystem functions and food security. It was the key to sustaining life on earth, recognizing that the sustainability of soils was vital for sustainable agriculture to secure world food for growing population.

He further said that currently, due to soil erosion, mismanagement and anthropologic activities, the soil was not functioning properly, however land degradation, soil pollution and environmental threats were the key issues and called upon the stakeholders, academia and government policy makers for the establishing road map to ensure soil management practices from grass root level.

Prof. Dr. Inayatullah Rajpar Chairman, Department of Soil Science said that productive land is being utilized through commercializing and construction of the housing schemes, soil erosion, and sea intrusion, lack of knowledge and lack of farmer’s awareness for proper use of fertilizing is hampering issues related to soil. He suggested that crop rotation, managing crop residues, judicial use of irrigation and fertilizer, managing soil through bio saline agriculture may improve soil’s fertility to produce healthy food for growing population.

Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Director, University Advancement and Financial Assistance highlighted the importance of soil and added that due to increase in sodic in the soil, climate change, water logging, soil depletion and lack of organic matter and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticide have created dangerous and alarming situation in Sindh province. He suggested that the government should take necessary measures for long-term soil fertility and sustainability to improve the soil quality. our correspondent