Highlights
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2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer
The Year will spotlight the essential roles women play across agrifood systems, from production to trade, while often going unrecognized. Women farmers are central to food security, nutrition and economic resilience.
2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
Aims to foster inclusive policy dialogue and collaborative engagement to improve pastoralist livelihoods and sustainable rangeland management. Rangelands and pastoralists have great potential to contribute and deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Events
Celebration of World Soil Day
Virtual Event, 05/12/2023
©FAO
Live Broadcast
Background
World Soil Day (WSD) is held annually on 5 December as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and advocating for the sustainable management of soil resources.
World Soil Day 2023: Soil and Water, Source of Life
Our planet’s survival depends on the precious link between soil and water. Over 95 percent of our food originates from these two fundamental resources. Soil water, vital for nutrient absorption by plants, binds our ecosystems together. This symbiotic relationship is the foundation of our agricultural systems.
However, in the face of climate change and human activity, our soils are being degraded, putting excessive pressure on our water resources. Erosion disrupts the natural balance, reducing water infiltration and availability for all forms of life.
Sustainable soil management practices, such as minimum tillage, crop rotation, organic matter addition, and cover cropping, improve soil health, reduce erosion and pollution, and enhance water infiltration and storage. These practices also preserve soil biodiversity, improve fertility, and contribute to carbon sequestration, playing a crucial role in the fight against climate change.
Objective
The greeting that will be offered by the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean in conjunction with the Soil Alliance for Latin America and the Caribbean, ASLAC aims to raise awareness about the importance and relationship between soil and water for sustainable and resilient agri-food systems.
Agenda
10:00 am: Greeting by Mr. Mario Lubetkin - Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean
10:05 am: Greeting by His Excellency Mr. Victor Manuel Villalobos - Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development of Mexico.
10:10 am: Greetings from Latin American and Caribbean countries.
10:15 am: Summary of the main activities of ASLAC and Soil Community of Practice: Ana Posas, FAO Agriculture Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean.
10:20 am: Announcement of the winner photo contest: Sol Ortiz, General Director of Policy, Prospecting and Climate Change of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Mexico and President of ASLAC.
10:30 am: Selected experiences from the call for Good Practices towards Sustainable Soil and Water Management. Javiera Suárez, Specialist in sustainable production and soil management.
10:40 am: Close
Documents
Related links
Did you know?
- 95% of our food comes from soils.
- 33% of soils are degraded.
- It can take up to 1 000 years to produce just 2-3 cm of soil.
- Soils supply 15 of the 18 naturally occurring chemical elements essential to plants.
- There are more living organisms in a tablespoon of soil than people on Earth.
- Over the last 70 years, the level of vitamins and nutrients in food has drastically decreased.
- 2 billion people worldwide suffer from lack of micronutrients, known as hidden hunger.
- Agricultural production will have to increase by 60% to meet the global food demand in 2050.
- Up to 58% more food could be produced through sustainable soil management.
- Up to half of our household waste could be composted to nurture our soil.
Contact
Senior consultant on sustainable soil management
Specialist in sustainable production and soil management
Regional Representative
Mr. Rene Orellana Halkyer was appointed by the FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, as Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, effective 1 November 2025.
Featured video
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Multimedia
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