Enviro News Asia, Australia — Australia observed World Soil Day on 5 December by reaffirming the essential role soil plays in supporting national agriculture, biodiversity, and long-term environmental resilience. The Australian Government emphasized that healthy soil underpins the country’s agricultural output, contributes around $90 billion to the economy each year, and sustains more than a quarter of global biodiversity found beneath the ground.
The annual United Nations initiative, celebrated worldwide, aims to increase public understanding of soil as a finite and critical natural resource. This year’s theme, “Healthy Soil for Healthy Cities,” calls attention to soil’s direct links to food security, ecosystem stability, and urban sustainability.
The Australian Government continues to strengthen national soil health through the National Soil Strategy, the country’s first long-term policy framework dedicated to soil. The strategy outlines how Australia will invest in innovation, expand soil knowledge, and enhance national soil resilience over the next two decades. Implementation is supported by the National Soil Action Plan, which coordinates programs across jurisdictions.
Government investment of more than $90 million supports several soil-focused initiatives, including:
- National Soil Monitoring Program ($21.3 million)
- Australian National Soil Information System and National Soil Information Framework ($21 million)
- Regional Soil Coordinators and National Soil Community of Practice ($8.4 million)
- Bilateral agreements with states and territories ($20 million)
- Soil Science Challenge Grant Program ($20 million)
Deputy Secretary of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy Group, Matt Lowe, stated that soil remains fundamental to Australia’s agricultural system and national wellbeing. He noted that soil supports ecosystems, influences water and air quality, and plays a vital role in climate adaptation, disaster resilience, and human health.
Lowe added that soil also holds cultural importance and forms the basis for 95% of global food production, either directly or indirectly, underscoring its role in both domestic and international food security.
