By Muhammad Bashir Shuaib

The World Soil Day has been observed globally for several years. The theme for this year’s World Soil Day is “Measure, Monitor, Manage.” This theme emphasizes the importance of proper soil management practices to maintain soil health and mitigate climate change.

Earlier, Confidence News reported the students’ and lecturers’ perspectives on the importance of this year’s theme. In this report, our reporter had an interactive interview session with renowned experts in the field.

In an interview with Prof. Samaila Sani Noma, a renowned expert in the field of soil pedology who gave the 32nd inaugural lecture at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto on the theme “Exploring the soil: From Food, Feed and Fibre Production to Environmental Conservation.”

According to Prof. Samaila Sani Noma from the Department of Soil Science, Land Resources Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, “World Soil Day has been observed globally for long, but Nigeria recently began participating in the celebration.” Prof. Noma emphasized the relationship between soil management and climate change, highlighting the need for sustainable soil management practices.

“Soil is crucial for food security; 95% of the world’s food is produced in the soil, and only 5% is through hydroponics or other means.” He added

When asked about the record of Nigeria’s soil survey or test record that can be useful to farmers or users of soil.

He stated that the only existing soil survey record in Nigeria is the reconnaissance survey that took place in 1985, and since then, nothing has been done.

In an advice statement, Professor Noma stated that the government has a crucial role to play in soil conservation by providing opportunities for farmers and everybody to have access to the record of the soil of their regions, “there can be a website where all the records will be uploaded and anybody can access with just a click.” He said.

This can aid sustainable soil management practices through soil testing, thus making the theme of this year’s World Soil Day (Monitor, Measure and Manage) a reality for food producers in Nigeria

Similarly, our reporter interacted with a renowned soil conservationist, Dr. Muritala Muhammad Sauwa, who explained the role of soil in climate change mitigation.

Reporter: Can I meet you, sir?

Dr. M.M Sauwa: I am Muhammad Muritala Sauwa, a lecturer at the Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture UDUS with a specialization in Soil physics and water conservation

Reporter: Can you briefly discuss the role soil plays in mitigating climate change

Dr. M.M Sauwa: Soil plays a vital role in climate change mitigation, primarily through its ability to sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including methane. Effective soil management practices, such as optimal water and manure management, enhance soil’s carbon sink capacity and minimize emissions.

There have been measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, and it is recognized that water and Manure Management are crucial in this cause.

Through water and manure management, farmers can significantly contribute to climate change mitigation by adopting best management practices for water and manure in their soils. Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) is a water management technique, particularly effective in rice production, which reduces methane emissions.

Dr. M.M. Sauwa: How do alternate wetting and drying Work?

AWD involves alternating between flooded and non-flooded conditions in rice paddies. This technique decreases methane production by reducing anaerobic conditions that favour methane-producing microorganisms, increasing oxygen availability, which promotes methane oxidation.

The alternate wetting and drying can help to decrease methane emissions by up to a larger percentage and improve water use efficiency as well as enhance crop yields through improving soil productive ability.

Muhammad Bashir Shuaib is a journalist and works as a researcher and Fact-checker with Confidence News Ng.