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Healthy soils are the basis for healthy food Production since 95 percent of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils. By 2050, agricultural production must increase by 60 percent globally and by almost 100 percent in developing countries in order to meet food demand. Sustainable soil management could produce up to 58 percent more food (FAO 2015). A healthy soil can provide ecosystem services such as soil water retention capacities, adequate soil aggregation, nutrient cycling, carbon storage and turn over, filtration and detoxification of heavy metals and other toxic elements, microbial diversity, and habitat for soil animals. Healthy soils not only contribute to the SDGs such as biomass production (SDG 2 – zero hunger) and it also plays a role in the improvement of other environmental systems, such as natural water quality (SDG 6), soil C sequestration and reduced impacts of GHG emissions (SDG 13), and biodiversity preservation (SDG 14 & 15).

Because of heavy pressure on land and other factors about one-third of the global soils is degraded which directly and indirectly affected about one-third of the world population in terms of short supply of food, feed and fiber. Soil has the enormous potential to store up to 4 times more carbon than that of the terrestrial vegetation. Soil erosion, depleted soil fertility, salinity, drought, lowering of water table, waterlogging, and water pollution are among the major factors for lower crop productivity in South Asian countries.

In Bangladesh context, agriculture is the mainstay of country’s economy; presently the country has achieved food self-sufficiency. However, the agricultural sustainability is threatened by several challenges, of which climate vulnerability is a big issue and the major consequences are salinity, drought and flood. There are five fragile ecosystems in the country – Barind, Char, Coastal, Haor and Hill ecosystems where cropping intensity as well as crop productivity is very low. Soil fertility including organic matter has declined. Use of ecologically sound best management practices are current agenda for sustainable land and water resources and profitable agriculture. These practices include conservation agriculture, integrated nutrient management, organic matter management mulching, and liming (30% acid soils).

With this background, the Soil Science Society of Bangladesh is organizing an International Conference on ‘Healthy Soils for Food Security  at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Dhaka during 06-07 December 2024. The Conference will provide an opportunity for the participating scientists and policy makers to discuss and deliberate on innovative ideas, insights and solutions for devising workable strategies under different sub-themes of the Conference. It is our pleasure to cordially invite researchers, development officials, progressive farmers, industries, non-government organizations (NGOs), civil societies, planners and policymakers to participate and share their valuable experiences on sustainable healthy soil management during the upcoming conference.

Call for Papers

Papers for oral or poster presentation in the context of the following sub-themes are invited from intending participants. Papers based on recent research and strategies in the domains of themes with a focus on cost effective and innovative technologies will be most appreciated.

Keynote papers

1. Soil Research in Bangladesh: Progress, Challenges and Opportunities for Agricultural Sustainability
2. Soil Education, Awareness, Policy and Strategic Framework Towards Sustainable Soil Health

Paper Submission

The abstract can be submitted online by uploading the files on conference website

Steps for Abstract Submission

• Register / Sign up
• Participants Dashboard click in Abstract submission
• Fill details required for abstract submission (Template of Abstract) and attach the abstract file in Word format as per guidelines

Full papers will be invited for the selected Abstracts and be published in the Bangladesh Journal of Soil Science.  The submission details and guidelines to the authors for abstract and full papers are available on the website. The submitted Abstract and papers will be reviewed by a committee constituted by subject relevant experts. The accepted Abstracts will be printed in the seminar proceedings.

English will be the official language of the conference and presentations of invited papers and contributory oral and poster papers.

Registration

All participants are required to register as per schedule and pay registration

fee using the following link: ……………………

Important dates 

Participation Fees

*No registration kit will be provided

Sponsorship

Sponsorship for the Conference is invited from public organizations, industries and NGOs as per following. The Platinum sponsor will get free advertisement in banners, posters and souvenir (Full page color). Gold sponsor will get free advertisement in banners, posters and souvenir (Full page B&W). Silver sponsor will get free advertisement in banners, posters and souvenir (Half page B&W). In addition to above, sponsorship for Conference Lunch and Dinner are also invited separately. 

Venue and Weather

The Conference will be held at Bangladesh Agricultural research Council (BARC) which is located at the center place of Dhaka (capital city) and 10 km south of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. It is well connected by road and railway. Dhaka is situated at 23° 37′ N latitude and 90° 30′ E longitude and 32 m above sea level with sub-tropical climate. In July the day temperature generally ranges from 30-32°C and night temperature 20-25°C.

Conference Organizing Committee

Convener

Dr. Shaikh Mohammad Bokhtiar, Executive Chairman, BARC, Dhaka  

Member-Secretary

Dr. Md. Abdul Bari, Former CSO, SRDI, Dhaka 

Members

1. Md. Jahiruddin, Professor (Retd.), Dept. of Soil Science, BAU, Mymensingh
2. A. R. M. Solaiman, Pro-Vice Chancellor, MBSTU, Tangail
3. Md. Jalal Uddin, Director General, Soil Resource Development Institure (SRDI), Dhaka
4. Md. Taiabur Rahman, Former CSO, SRDI, Dhaka
5. M. Baktear Hossain, Member Director (NRM), BARC, Dhaka
6. M. Mofizur Rahman Jahangir, Professor, Dep. of Soil Science, BAU, Mymensingh
7. M. Shahidul Islam, Former Director General, BARI, Gazipur
8. Dr. S. M. Imamul Huq, Former Vice-Chancellor, Barisal University
9. Sohela Akhter, Former Director, TCRC, BARI, Gazipur
10. G. K. M. Mustafizur Rahamn, Professor, Dept. of Soil Science, BSMRAU, Gazipur
11. Md. Abul Kashem, Professor, Dept. of Soil Science, SAU, Sylhet
12. Md. Aminul Islam, CSO & Head, Soil Science Division, BRRI, Gazipur
13. Alok Kumar Paul, Pro-Vice Chancellor, SAU, Dhaka
14. Zobaydul Islam Arif, Bangladesh Soil Science Club
15. Md. Monowar Karim Khan, Senior Specialist, KGF, BARC, Dhaka
16. Habib Mohammad Naser, CSO & Head, Soil Science Division, BRRI, Gazipur
17. Md. Akhter Khan, Professor, Dept. of Soil, Water and Environment, DU, Dhaka
18. Md. Mizanur Rahman, Professor, Department of Soil Science, BSMRAU, Gazipur
19. Md. Anamul Haque, Professor, Dept. of Soil Science, BAU, Mymensingh
20. Md. Shahdat Hossain, Professor, HSTU, Dinajpur
21. Md. Fazlul Haque, Professor, Dept. of Soil Science, PSTU, Patuakhali
22. Md. Azizul Haque, CSO & Head, BINA, Mymensingh
23. A. F. M. Manjurul Haque, CSO, SRDI, Dhaka
24. Ameer Md. Zahid, CSO, SRDI, Dhaka
25. Md. Faridul Alam, PSO (Soils unit), NRM, BARC, Dhaka
26. Md. Lutfar Rahman, SSO, SRDI, Dhaka

Conference Advisory Committee  

1. Z. Karim, Former EC, BARC
2. N. I. Bhuiya, Former DG, BRRI
3. M. Idris Ali, Former DG, BINA
4. S. M. Saheed, Former DG, SRDI

Contact address

Dr. Md. Abdul Bari

Member-Secretary

Conference Organizing Committee

E-mail: barimonabd@gmail.com

Info.icsssb@gmail.com

Conference Secretariat

1. Registration, Souvenir and Invitation

Dr. Md. Monowar Karim Khan, E-mail: monowarkk@yahoo.com

Dr. Faridul alam, E-mail: farid443@yahoo.com

Dr. Md. Lutfar Rahman, E-mail: mlrahman1969@yahoo.com

2. Accommodation and Local Transportation

Dr. M. Baktear Hossain, E-mail: baktear@gmail.com

Mr. Ameer Md. Zahid, E-mail: zahidsrdi@gmail.com