Dhaka: Soil health should be prioritized to enhance food production, according to Agriculture Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. Emphasizing the importance of agriculture for balanced economic development, he highlighted its potential role in reducing unemployment during a seminar at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium, marking World Soil Day (WSD).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the adviser stressed the need for practical research in agriculture, urging that research results be accessible to farmers. He emphasized the preservation of agricultural land and the reduction of fertile land erosion due to industrialization. The adviser also raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of government subsidies for fertilizers and suggested that research should focus on reducing chemical fertilizer usage.
The seminar, presided over by Agriculture Secretary Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Miah, featured Dr Jiaoqun Shi, FAO Bangladesh Representative, as a special gue
st. Professor Dr M Zahir Uddin of Bangladesh Agriculture University’s Soil Science Department presented the keynote paper, highlighting that soil supplies over 95 percent of food and provides essential chemical elements to plants.
In light of climate change and human activity degrading soils, the adviser called for awareness of sustainable soil management practices. These practices, such as minimum tillage, crop rotation, and cover cropping, are vital for improving soil health, reducing erosion, and enhancing water infiltration. They also help preserve soil biodiversity, improve fertility, and contribute to carbon sequestration, aiding in the fight against climate change.
World Soil Day 2024 will be observed globally with the theme “Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage,” aimed at achieving sustainable soil management for food security.