DODOMA, Dec. 5 -- TANZANIA joined the rest of the world on Wednesday in marking World Soil Day amid growing concern that nearly 30 per cent of global soil fertility has been lost over the past two decades, a trend experts warn poses a serious threat to food security, climate resilience and sustainable development.

The national commemoration, held at the Dr John Samwel Malecela Nane Nane Exhibition Grounds in Nzuguni, Dodoma, brought together agricultural experts, researchers, policymakers and development partners, who cited unsustainable land use, deforestation, uncontrolled grazing and unscientific farming practices as major drivers of soil degradation.

Other key factors highlighted included haphazard construction, unregulated mining a...