It can take up to 1,000 years to form a single centimetre of soil, which is why “soil preservation is essential for food security and to ensure our sustainable future.”

That’s the view of Yusuf Yigini, Soil Mapping Specialist with the Global Soil Partnership Secretariat at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The UN celebrated World Soil Day on 5 December, centred around this year’s theme that “caring for the planet starts from the ground”.

Mr Yigini spoke with Agnese Pastorino at UN Headquarters in New York, and explained the importance of the so-called Global Soil Organic Carbon map.

Duration:  5’33”