HYDERABAD: Soil scientists, researchers, academia and scholars speaking at the inaugural session of the three-day ‘18th International Congress of Soil Science — 2020’ on Tuesday emphasised the need for grappling with challenges in a situation where Pakistan is losing soil fertility for want of policy and research.

SAU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujeebuddin Sahrai said soil is the basic medium of survival of human beings, flora and fauna. Soil may be called the “soul of infinite life”.

Experts said agriculture and livestock sectors had the potential to bring about prosperity across the country.

With the theme of ‘Wise soil management ensures better environment and livelihood’, the event has been organised jointly by the Soil Science Society of Pakistan (SSSP) and Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam, on the varsity’s campus in Jamshoro.

“Although we have three main elements — soil, water and seed — for farming, they presently seem not safe for enhancing productivity. We have to manage our soil resource on sustainability for ensuring food and livelihood security. We have to fulfil aspirations of people for better living,” the VC said.

Prof Sahrai lauded SSSP’s efforts in conducting this symposium.

Three-day international congress begins at SAU

He noted that climate change had already taken a heavy toll on soil fertility.

About the event, the SAU vice chancellor said that there would be around 500 oral and poster presentations at the three-day congress. The proceedings, he said, would help policymakers cope with emerging challenges in maintaining soil and environment and ensuring better livelihood.

Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) University Vice Chancellor Prof Mohammad Kaleem Abbasi, who also heads the SSSP, said that soil scientists and researchers had come here to share their ideas and understanding on protecting soil and producing healthy food crops to meet requirement of the ever-growing population of the country.

He said that the event was aimed at promoting research on soil-related issues. He said soil management was the key component of food security, which had become a global issue.

Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Abdul Bari Pitafi, speaking as the chief guest, said: “Soil is not only cultivable source for producing crops, but a natural asset on which all creatures, ecosystem, biodiversity and life depends. It’s the main source of livelihood”.

He said that all sources of food depended on soil. He urged the youth to go for agriculture sector professions, explore ideas and adopt sustainable farm practices for ensuring food security.

He said that agriculture and livestock sectors that had been neglected in the past needed priority for the progress of the country and prosperity of the nation.

The minister said that the Sindh government intended to evolve policies for the agriculture sector, and called for linking employment with agro-based economy.

“We have to maintain soil at all levels in order to live a secure life,” he said.

Mr Pitafi stressed the need for conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem on which depended human life.

Those who also spoke at the inaugural session included Prof Zaheer Ahmed Zaheer of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, SAU’s soil science department chairman Prof Dr Inayatullah Rajpar, Soil Science International Congress secretary Prof Dr Murtaza Jamro, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council chairman Dr Mohammad Azim Khan and MPA from Tharparkar Qasim Siraj Soomro.

A number of companies producing and marketing seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs as well as food products have also set up their stalls at an exhibition on the SAU campus.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Livestock Minister Pitafi and SAU VC Sahrai.

Soil sciences experts and researchers from across the country and abroad attended the inaugural session.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2020