World Soil Day, 5 December

The winner of the Glinka World Soil Prize is...Professor Ravi Naidu

This year’s eighth Glinka prize is awarded to Laureate Professor Ravendra (Ravi) Naidu.

Professor Naidu is a global leader in contamination studies and has made monumental contributions within research and beyond. In his career spanning over three decades, he has over 900 articles, contributing breakthrough research in fundamental knowledge of contaminant-soil interaction. This research has significant implications for soil management, and Professor Naidu launches his research into practical action through capacity building, raising millions in external funds, training programs, and organizing workshops to foster the remediation of contaminated sites.

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About the prize

About the prize

The award comes in the form of a USD 15 000 check and a Glinka gold-plated medal. It contributes in a timely manner to raise awareness amongst policy makers and the general public about possible solutions to tackle acute national and local problems of soil degradation, and to encourage all stakeholders and soil practitioners to engage in field-oriented work, with direct contributions to the preservation of the environment, food security and poverty alleviation as specified in the Revised World Soil Charter.

The Glinka World Soil Prize aims to keep up the momentum generated by the International Year of Soils 2015.

Who can submit nominations?

Who can submit nominations?

All GSP Partners are invited to nominate candidates, either directly or on behalf of a third party. Self-nominations are not allowed and will be disqualified. Nominations can be submitted in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic or Chinese.

If you think you are an eligible candidate propose your nomination to the GSP country focal point or to the closest GSP partner (full list available here)

Once completed, the nomination form should be submitted to:

GSP Secretariat                                                                                                                                                          Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, B708bis
00153 Roma, Italy
Email: [email protected]

Who can be nominated?

Who can be nominated?

Nominees should have made outstanding achievements in implementing the principles and recommended actions of the revised World Soil Charter adopted by the FAO Conference in June 2015, and the achievement should contribute to one of the five pillars of the GSP (a proven impact at field level will be an added value).

What is the deadline for submitting a nomination?

What is the deadline for submitting a nomination?

Completed nominations can be submitted by post or email and must be received by 25 September 2022 (deadline extended).

Who is Konstantin Dmitrievich Glinka?

Who is Konstantin Dmitrievich Glinka?

Konstantin Glinka (1867-1927) was a prominent Russian soil scientist who is credited for his unique contribution to understanding the principles of the geographical distribution of soils and extensive activities on the exploration, mapping and assessment of vast areas of Siberia, the Far East and Central Asia, as well as his important studies in the areas of soil mineralogy, chemistry and paleopedology.

Edition 2016

Edition 2016

December 5, 2016 - The first ever Glinka World Soil Prize was awarded on the occasion of World Soil Day 2016 to the Instituto Geografico Augustin Codazzi (IGAC) from Colombia. The Institute has a long-standing tradition in promoting sustainable soil management and of developing /building capacities of Latin American scientists and field practitioners.

More information on the Glinka World Soil Prize 2016

Watch the video here

Edition 2017

Edition 2017

December 5, 2017 - The second Glinka World Soil Prize was awarded on the occasion of World Soil Day 2017 to the Argentine No Till Farmers Association (Aapresid) from Argentine. They conduct research on soil biodiversity indicators at the farm level and provide certification protocols to ensure sustainable agricultural practices are adopted through partnerships around the globe.

More information on the Glinka World Soil Prize 2017.

Watch the video here 

Edition 2018

Edition 2018

December 5, 2018 - The third Glinka World Soil Prize was awarded on the occasion of World Soil Day 2018 to Professor Rattan Lal for his outstanding work on sustainable soil management and his career spanning over 50-years and across six continents.

More information on the Glinka World Soil Prize 2018

Watch the video here

Edition 2019

Edition 2019

December 5, 2019 - Dr Xu Minggang from China won the fourth edition of the prize. 

Dr Minggang's research results on soil organic matter has been extended to a total of 39.8 million hectares of soils, generating an annual income of 4.7 billion USD for rural communities over the last 15 years. In China, his achievements are illustrated by 260 scientific articles and had a positive impact on food security for over 1.4 billion people.

More information on the Glinka World Soil Prize 2019 

Watch the video here

Edition 2020

Edition 2020

December 5, 2020 - Luca Montanarella from the European Commission won the fifth edition of the Glinka World Soil Prize

Mr Luca Montanarella has had a long and distinguished career in the field of soil science. For nearly 30 years, he focuses on the crucial role of soils for food security, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and human well-being. He is recognized as an active promoter of soil awareness in Europe and worldwide. During his career, he has contributed to increasing the visibility of soils within the policy-making community and the public. Mr Montanarella has worked at the interface between science and policy, supporting the transfer of scientific knowledge on soils into policy developments with different stakeholders.   

More information on the Glinka World Soil Prize 2021

Watch the video here

Edition 2021

Edition 2021

5 December 2021 - Ms Lydie-Stella Koutika from The Republic of the Congo won the sixth edition of the Glinka World Soil Prize

Well known soil scientist from Pointe-Noire, Congo Basin with over 30 years of experience in research on agroecosystems. 

Read more and watch the video

Edition 2022

Edition 2022

5 December 2022 - Dr Ashok Kumar Patra from ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS) in Bhopal, India won the seventh edition of the Glinka World Soil Prize

Dr Ashok Kumar Patra won the Glinka World Soil Prize edition 2022. Renowned scientist from the ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS) in Bhopal, India rewarded for his 33-year dedicated career in Soil Science Research and Education

Read more and watch the video