On 04 December, a scientific and practical conference dedicated to World Soil Day 2024 brought together leading scientists, farmers, educators and authorities to discuss key challenges and prospects in soil science. The event, held under the slogan "Caring for Soils: Measurement, Management, Monitoring", was a landmark event of the year.

The organisers were proud to join forces. The conference was held thanks to the initiatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, the Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of the NAAS, the I. I. Mechnikov Odesa National University, the Odesa Branch of the Ukrainian Society of Soil Scientists and Agrochemists, and the Mykolaiv National Agrarian University.

Raisa Vozhegova, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, stressed the importance of this event:
💬"Soils are the basis of our planning. The country's food security depends on their preservation, and our conference is an important step towards understanding and solving global challenges."

Andrii Buyanovskyi, a soil science expert, said:
💬"Modern measurements and monitoring technologies allow not only to monitor the condition of soils, but also to develop targeted solutions for their restoration after the devastating effects of war."

Alla Stoyanova's presentation on "Ukrainian Soils: Role on the Global Stage" aroused the interest of many of the attendees. She emphasised that Ukraine has 27% of the world's black soil reserves and is one of the main players in the agricultural market. The key points of her presentation were as follows:

• Ukraine's 42 million hectares of arable land form the foundation of the world's food security.
• 60% of the country's soils are black soil, which stores up to 20 million tonnes of carbon and is a unique resource in the global fight against climate change.
• Ukraine is a leader in sunflower oil exports and is among the top 5 grain exporters in the world.

"Despite the military challenges, Ukrainian farmers have proved that they are true warriors of their land. Today, our soils not only provide crops but also become a symbol of national resilience. Our task is to preserve this unique resource for future generations and integrate it into the global ecosystem," emphasised Alla Stoyanova.

The conference showed that the issues of soil management and monitoring have become even more urgent in the context of war. Explosive contamination, degradation, and erosion are problems that need to be addressed urgently.

The participants noted the importance of integrating modern technologies, such as drone monitoring, biotechnology, and the use of nanobubbles to improve soil structure. They also discussed mechanisms of international cooperation to attract investment and expert support.

This conference has become a platform for sharing knowledge, developing joint strategies and demonstrating Ukraine's readiness to develop its agricultural potential even in the most difficult conditions.

"Our soils are the backbone of Ukraine. Taking care of them is our contribution to the global future, to strengthening our country and establishing its role in the global arena," Alla Stoyanova concluded emotionally.

For Ukraine, World Soil Day 2024 was not just an opportunity to talk about the problems, but also proof that even during the challenges of war, the country is able to find new opportunities for growth and cooperation.

ACTING TOGETHER FOR VICTORY!