Pakistan's soil health rapidly declining

Healthy soil-rich in organic matter, microbes, and nutrients, essential not only for agricultural productivity but also for enhancing air quality and water environments - is rapidly deteriorating in Pakistan. Experts at a seminar held at Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam, on Monday stressed the urgent need for a national soil policy to prevent a looming food security crisis, especially at a time when climate change poses increasing threats.

Speakers at the seminar highlighted that climate change is accelerating the degradation of soil health, which will have a direct impact on the country's food security, agricultural output, and urban sustainability. Pointing to the rapid decline of beneficial soil microorganisms, shrinking green spaces, uncontrolled urbanisation, and the absence of a comprehensive national soil policy, they cautioned that continuing on the current path could lead to a non-productive future. "Cities are steadily turning fertile land into concrete, resulting in rising urban temperatures and the formation of heat islands, where temperatures are three to four degrees higher than surrounding areas," observed SAU Vice Chancellor Engineer Prof Dr Altaf Ali Siyal. He noted that plastic pollution, loss of vegetation cover, and poor soil management practices are further undermining soil health.

"Without immediate climate adaptation measures and soil restoration programmes, Pakistan could face severe food security challenges," Dr Siyal warned. He emphasised the importance of reviving soil organic matter, promoting composting, adopting crop rotation, implementing smart irrigation, and expanding both urban and rural tree plantation initiatives.

Sindh Agriculture Research Department Director General Dr Mazharuddin Keerio added that severe heat, unpredictable rainfall, prolonged stagnation of floodwater, and widespread tree loss have damaged soil structure. He also pointed out that the activity of crucial soil microorganisms, responsible for nutrient cycling, has declined.