Nsukka- Prof. Ngozi Nnam, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has called for the preservation of the soil for agricultural development.
Nnam made the call in Nsukka on Friday during the celebration of the 2014 World Soil Day.
She said the soil should be preserved since it was the foundation of agricultural development and ecosystem sustainability.
She said in spite of the importance of soil to humanity, soil degradation had continued to increase due to inappropriate practices and inadequate governance of the essentialnatural resources.
“It is undisputable fact that soil is the foundation of agricultural development and ecosystem sustainability.
“Without soil, there will be no food; no water to drink; no place to build commercial and residential houses and no place for domestic and wild animals to live.
The don said the country would not achieve food security unless it first achieved soil security.
“When the soil is well preserved, farmers would record bumper harvests.
“The soil is still fertile, the reason why we record poor harvest some time is because we have failed to protect and preserve the content of the soil, ‘’She said.
The Head of Department of Soil Science of the university, Dr Peter Ezeaku , said Dec. 5 had been set aside all over the world to create awareness on the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system.
“We should take good advantage of the day to create, educate, promote as well as create awareness on the importance of the soil to the existence of mankind.
“I commend the International Union of Soil Society for its efforts at ensuring that a day is set aside to create awareness on soil.
