SADER Hosts Soil Week to Promote Sustainable Land Use

As part of World Soil Day activities, commemorated annually on Dec. 5, Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) is hosting the Soil Week from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6. The initiative aims to raise awareness about soil’s critical role in sustainable food production and environmental health.

The event features virtual sessions covering topics such as soil analysis, fertility improvement strategies, experiences from farmers, and participation in the Soil Doctors program. The program, developed through the University Program for Interdisciplinary Studies of Soil (PUEIS) at UNAM, seeks to promote soil care and rehabilitation.

According to SADER, soil is essential to food systems, with 95% of global food production dependent on it. Healthy soil can also improve water retention, enhance biodiversity, increase climate resilience, and deliver ecosystem services critical to human well-being. For example, an additional 1% of organic matter in soil can retain up to 150,000L of water per hectare.

Approximately 72% of Mexico's soils show some level of degradation, threatening their ability to provide these ecosystem services. The global observance of World Soil Day, established by the United Nations underscores the importance of preserving this non-renewable resource.

Participants include representatives from SADER, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (SEDATU), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), state governments, and farmers from across the country. During the event, attendees will be invited to join the Mexican Alliance for Soil (AMEXSU), an initiative aimed at uniting efforts to restore the nation’s soils. The observance will conclude with the certification of Soil Doctor Trainers, part of a program that equips producers with knowledge to care for their soils effectively.