It is believed that without soil there is no life. Genesis 2:7 also substantiate the claim. “The Lord God formed a man from the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Presumably many share the saying. In the same vein, all living things and microorganisms have originated from the soil. It still remains to be a critical ingredient for the existence of life on the earth. However, this key ingredient is currently being endangered. Population growth, deforestation, unsustainable land use and management policies, overgrazing practices and climate change outcomes are negatively affecting it.
Specially in developing countries the case is becoming more serious. Hence, the need of carrying out soil conservation and management activities is not only a national issue but also an internationally issue. It is an issue of perpetuating the current and future generations’ life.
The question should be in what way can we reverse the degradation of this nonrenewable natural resource due to various reasons,? like erosion, acidification, pollution among others. About 90 per cent of world’s food production leans on soil. Besides, soil plays a critical role in keeping biodiversity of the ecosystems. However, most soils are affected globally due to unsustainable soil management practices.
Presently, Ethiopia constructs various hydropower dams so as to generate power. But the dams’ lifespan would be shorted unless they are protected from siltation and related problems. Nonetheless, Ethiopian annual natural resource and watershed management activities have witnessed that the once barren lands have been covered by woods. Hence the management’s contribution in restoring soil fertility and the ecosystem has resulted in commendable results. Besides, the country’s forest coverage has increased.
The conservation activities, apart from maintaining natural resources, averting soil from erosion, maintaining soil nutrients from degradation and keeping the balance of the ecosystem, it has a great share in protecting the dams from siltation. The smallholder farmers can reverse the negative impacts if they are technically supported by extension workers to reduce erosion and soil mismanagement practices.
Recognizing its current and future impacts, presently, the government has carried out soil fertility test and soil fertility map preparation to identify the type of fertilizer suitable for each ecosystem. Using the right fertilizer on the right soil could have a huge impact on Ethiopia’s social and economic development. Thus, the type of fertilizer used in various ecosystems of the country should be made a point to cope up with population growth in the country.
Pertaining to this, the Ethiopian Soil Campaign week has been carried out from 16-19 Nov, 2015 to raise more public awareness, exchange knowledge and experiences, align activities and enhance collaboration between stakeholders for good soil management practices in the country.
A plan is set to take on board the whole Ethiopian population; farmers, students and all segments of the society throughout the year. It will have great importance to keep a healthy soil. Farmers could not produce enough healthy food, as the soil is very thin and often has a fragile layer. It gets depleted and degraded at an alarming rate. Unless urgent measures are taken to raise awareness of the public, protect and maintain the healthiness of the soil, the consequence would be disastrous and could negatively affect country’s effort of ensuring food security. But Ethiopia has started quite a large National Soil Campaign to raise awareness and to inspire stakeholders. The campaign particularly, improves collaboration and the exchange of knowledge and experiences among the public, particularly the farmers.
Nowadays, the government has been engaged in promoting healthy and fertility through scaling up sustainable land management, renewal of acid soils, replenishing soil fertility and improving the productivity of water logged soils, with the view of maintaining the soil for current and future generations while improving food security. The international year of soil campaign has great contribution to raise awareness about the importance of soils and healthy soil management.
In sum, soil as it has yet become source of life, critical importance for the existence of organisms on the earth, taking every measures to keep its health and fertility is mandatory. Population growth, deforestation, unsustainable land use and management policies, overgrazing practices and climate change outcomes negatively affects it. Future economic development plans should be aligned with natural resource management activities. Specially, soil conservation, healthy and fertility duties should be addressed well. If no soil, no life!