World Soil Day today

World Soil Day 2023 will be observed in the country like elsewhere across the globe on Tuesday highlighting the importance of taking care of soil and conserving soil biodiversity.

The theme of this year's World Soil Day is 'Soil and Water: A Source of Life'.

The day is observed annually on December 5 as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources.

On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages wishing for the success of all the programmes adopted on the occasion of World Soil Day 2023.

In his message, President Mohammed Shahabuddin said the economy and culture of riverine Bangladesh are mainly centred on agriculture and its soil.

"A holistic and efficient management of soil and water resources is essential for sustainable agriculture as well as protection of natural eco-system," he added.

To prevent soil and water degradation, the use of advanced technology, innovation of sustainable technology, and proper and effective management of surface water and other natural resources are very important, the President said, adding, that public awareness should be increased for soil conservation, proper use of land and prevention of soil degradation.

Shahabuddin urged the country's agriculturists and extension workers to continue their innovative activities in conserving soil and water quality through research activities and technology innovation and expansion to ensure food security for all.

Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the agriculture-friendly government has been formulating and implementing multifaceted programmes, he said, adding that as a result, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable success in the agricultural sector.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message said the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman attached top priority to agriculture and environment protection aiming at building the 'Sonar Bangladesh' as he dreamt.

Bangabandhu had made a call for an agricultural revolution to rebuild the newly independent country, she said, adding, that following the foundation of agricultural development that was laid during Bangabandhu's regime, the Awami League government has been taking and implementing various agriculture-friendly and pragmatic steps for the last 15 years.

Attaching utmost priority to the development of agriculture and the welfare of farmers, significant action plans, including National Agriculture Policy 2018, Food Safety Act, Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and Delta Plan-2100, are being adopted and implemented in the light of 'Vision 2041', the Premier said.

Soil and water are becoming polluted due to global climate change and increasing food demand for growing population and industrialization, she said, adding that in the current global context, ensuring food security through proper use of soil and water is a major challenge.

Due to pragmatic measures taken by the Awami League government, Bangladesh has achieved self-sufficiency in food, fish and meat production and it has reached the threshold of gaining self-sufficiency in egg and milk production, Sheikh Hasina said.

The success achieved in the development of agriculture has been widely appreciated and lauded all over the world, she said, adding that good agricultural practice policy has been formulated and accredited labs and modern packing houses have been set up to increase the export of agricultural products.

Unprecedented improvement has been achieved in the communication system, including the construction of the Padma Bridge with the government's own funding, to ensure uninterrupted, cost-effective and fast communication with the capital city, the Premier said, adding, as a result, the quality of agricultural products and farmers' living standards will be improved through the extraction of agricultural and fishery resources in marginal areas and rapid marketing across the country.

/KN/