The
first Atlas of Africa that collects vital information on African soils has been
launched in Nakuru, Kenya.
The
Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture Sicily Kariuki said at the Soil Science
Society of East Africa and the African Soil
Science Society conference in Nakuru that the soil atlas is to raise
awareness on the significance of soil as a natural resource to farmers,
politicians, agricultural stakeholders and the importance of the resource and
how it affects livelihoods.
“Healthy
and fertile soils are the cornerstones of food security, key environmental
services, social cohesion and the economies of most African countries.
Unfortunately, soil in Africa tends to reach public awareness only when it
fails to feed the people living from it,” states the atlas.
According
to the atlas, Africa is the only continent in the world where the annual per
capita food production is lower than its estimated population growth because of
land degradation and soil fertility decline over time.
The
atlas further explains the origin and functions of soil, describing the
different types of soil, their relevance to both local and global issues linked
to soil with diagrams, illustration tables and maps and this has helped readers
understand the information and research work, the principal threats to soil and
the steps being taken to protect soil resources.
The
soil atlas is said to form the basis for a Pan-African assessment on the state
of soil resources and compiles the contributions of dozens of soil experts from
Africa and Europe with useful information for policy makers and researchers.
NaijaAgroNet noted that the atlas will help to create strategies and structures for
better land and water management practices which will lead to increased food
production that will ensure food security and environmental protection.
AN/GEE
NaijaAgroNet
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