Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) celebrated the World Soil Day at FAO premises in Khartoum, under the theme “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity”, in the presence of the Ambassador of France, Undersecretary of ministry of Agriculture and Forest, Vice chancellor of University of Khartoum, Director-General of Agriculture Research corporation (ARC) and many other dignitaries including senior government officials.

Soil salinization and soil sodification are key processes of soil degradation that threaten the ecosystem and they are recognized as one of the most important problems globally for agricultural production, food security and sustainability in arid and semi-arid areas.

World Soil Day 2021 (#WorldSoilDay) and its campaign to " Halt soil salinization, Enhance Soil Productivity" aim to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing growing challenges in soil management, combating soil salinization, raising soil awareness, and encouraging communities to improve soil health.

FAO representative to Sudan, Dr. Babagana Ahmadu welcomed the audience and give further enlightenment about soil salinization and sodification which are both related to soil salinity affecting soil productivity, this problem is registered worldwide, its economic losses estimated around $27.3 billion due to reduction in crop production” said Babagana, "soil salinity forces people to immigrate from their lands, we need to stop soil salinization and to enhance soil productivity by raising awareness, encouraging and promoting sustainable agricultural practices," he added.

"We are working in Sudan through many projects concern the Arabic Gum, and we are also working to restore soil productivity in 11 countries, including Sudan, it is very important for us as France authorities to seek for more collaboration with FAO to resolve such issues," said Raja Rabie, France Ambassador to Sudan.

"I would like to mention that the University of Khartoum, in cooperation with FAO, has begun work on the establishment of a land Tuner institute, I want to thank FAO for the valuable support," said Professor Fadwa Abdul Rahman, Vice-President of the University of Khartoum.

Professor Abbas Doka, FAO’s technical adviser, gave a detailed presentation explaining to the audience the types of maps and data used in the Soil Atlas and Soil Catalogue, "the two documents aims to provide a general view of the soil characteristics of Sudan and to present the complex nature of the situation with regard to the image of the earth, climate and vegetation.” said Doka.

"The Atlas is very important and very strategic indeed for the development, modernization and transformation of agriculture, because we know that Sudan's economy is driven by agriculture, we know that soil is a very strategic natural resource" said Professor Abdel Moneim Taha, Director-General of the Agriculture Research Corporation.

FAO Sudan took the opportunity to launch the two publications (Soil Atlas and Soil Catalogue).