Salinity is a major problem affecting crop production all over the world, with about 20% of cultivated land and 33% of irrigated land being salt-affected and degraded in the world. Soil salinity is a multifactorial phenomenon that can have a natural origin caused by raise of sea level or marine intrusion, and an anthropogenic origin due to agricultural intensification, use of low-quality irrigation water or excessive application of mineral fertilizers. This process can be accentuated by climate change and causes a reduction in crop yields, affecting small farmers and rural communities more acutely, who have fewer means for its minimization or adaptation. In Eurasia, salt-affected soils occur in most countries and occupy an estimated area of about 242 million hectares, putting at risk food security and the achievement of the 2030 sustainable agenda in the region.

The Fertilizer Code provides a locally-adaptable framework and voluntary set of practices to serve the different stakeholders that are directly or indirectly involved with fertilizers. It sets out roles, responsibilities, and actions of government; the fertilizer and nutrient recycling industries; agricultural extension and advisory services; research and academia; farmers and other end users in relation to the production, trade, policy, regulation and use of chemical and mineral fertilizers, organic fertilizers, and reused and recycled nutrients.

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Soon available in all FAO official languages

The Global Symposium on Soil Pollution (GSOP18)’s Outcome Document: Be the Solution to Soil Pollution is now available also in French and Spanish. This document provides scientific evidence to support actions and decisions to prevent and reduce soil pollution for increased food security, nutrition, and ecosystem services, and to promote the remediation of polluted sites.

The nomination process for the Glinka World Soil Prize is officially open and all GSP Partners are invited to nominate candidates – individuals or organization –, either directly or on behalf of a third party.

The FAO Global Soil Partnership has the pleasure to invite individuals, institutions, NGOs, academia, colleges and universities, private companies or any other entities that in December 2018 have organized remarkable and engaging World Soil Day activities or campaigns to demonstrate the importance of soils for all to submit applications for the King Bhumibol World Soil Day (WSD) Award, edition 2019.