World Soil Day on 5 December is an opportunity to highlight the significant role that healthy and productive soils play in the lives of all Australians.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Luke Hartsuyker, said the Coalition Government is investing more than $1 billion through the National Landcare Program to ensure our farmers can continue their stewardship of healthy land and soils.
“Everything of value is underpinned by healthy soils—food, fibre, environment, energy—and this government is working with farmers to continue to improve soils, vegetation and biodiversity,” Minister Hartsuyker said.
“We understand the critical importance of soil in Australia’s food chain and the role it plays in supporting a productive and sustainable agriculture sector.
“Australian farmers manage 61 per cent of our land and have a long-held reputation for sustainable and innovative land management.
“Around 95 per cent of the world’s food is directly or indirectly produced from soil, and it is a national asset that we must protect and manage carefully.
“World Soil Day is a chance to stop and think about what the agriculture sector is doing to ensure healthy farms are being passed on to the next generations of Australians.
“On World Soil Day, I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the outgoing National Advocate for Soil Health, Major General the Hon. Michael Jeffery, for his work in highlighting the crucial role that healthy, productive soils play in all our lives.
“I would encourage people to get on social media (#WorldSoilDay) and share stories and images about what soil means to their lives.”
More information at fao.org/world-soil-day.
Fast Facts
- Australian farmers care for 61 per cent of our land.
- 95 per cent of the world’s food is directly or indirectly produced from soil.
- Use the hashtag #WorldSoilDay
- The theme for World Soil Day 2017 is Caring for the planet starts from the ground.
Media contact
Jennifer Cahill 0472 840 320