KATHMANDU: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Madan Pariyar, has stressed on improving the quality of soil and its conservation along with using it as a means of production.

He emphasized on the matter in a message of best wishes he extended to all Nepali sisters and brothers today on the occasion of the 12th World Soil Day.

“Mobile soil camps are being conducted for soil health improvement, and programmes on awareness-based soil management focusing on the proper use of pesticides and on promoting agricultural commercialisation without compromising sustainable farming are being carried out under the coordination of all the three tiers of the government and there is a need to further promote such programmes in the coming days,” the Agriculture Minister said.

Following the decision of the 68th United Nations General Assembly, World Soil Day has been observed globally since 5 December 2013, and in Nepal, it has been celebrated since 2014.

Minister Pariyar stated, “Soil is the primary medium for agricultural production, and it also plays an important role in keeping the Earth alive and maintaining the balance of the entire ecological system.

However, due to intensive farming and the increasing use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil have been adversely affected.”

He said that along with this, unplanned urbanisation, infrastructure development and industrialisation have led to a decrease in the soil’s water absorption capacity and an increase in pollution.

Minister Pariayar added that it will lead to a decline in production and productivity, as well as create serious challenges to the rural and urban environmental balance.

“Just like the soil in the rural areas with abundant farming, the soil in cities must also be healthy from an environmental perspective.

Village soil is a source of production, while city soil is a means to maintain greenery, reduce temperature, and store carbon; village and city soils are interrelated for overall environmental balance,” the Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister reminded in his message.