WORLD WITHOUT SOIL: SOIL WEALTH
The book “World Without Soil” is another master piece by the author – Dr Paul Ola Igboji based on the apathy, drudgery and discrimination associated with this nucleus of life. It opens up my own personal experience, challenges and perception about Soil Science. That was years back in 2009 when I applied for Medicine at Ebonyi State University but was eventually offered Soil Science. Initially, my jubilation on the new discipline was based on the science attached to it, as my peers from high school background felt it is akin to other basic sciences like anatomy, nursing, microbiology, industrial chemistry, industrial physics, geology and exploration. Another test of the discipline came on our “induction day” when students of Soil Science and Environmental Management were called for oath administration. My junior sibling quickly pulled me by the corner “So, sister you will be doing environmental clean-up and enforcement” with great sign of disappointment. What of Medicine and Surgery?, he added. I tried to calm him by pretending he is too inquisitive and promised to educate him on the discipline later. Feigning that it was core science, like other sciences, and has nothing to do with his belief. I could also notice my mum’s worries. Eventually, their concerns stared at my face when I discovered that it has to do with the core handling, touching and management of soil. This made me to develop initial hatred, apathy, drudgery on the course, especially at General Studies level. But towards my fourth year, I developed curiosity and interest after my industrial attachment with National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Nigeria which exposed the wonders, magic and gifts of the profession, and with a lady being the head of my IT department and flying in colours.
Today, I am a graduate and advocate of Soil Science, not only in Nigeria, but the world. Thank, God for taking me to the profession. I am lucky and privileged to be a leading rare Women Soil Scientists in the World. The author clearly demonstrates his love for soil, agriculture and the environment in all his books. He lives and professes them, being active members of World Leading Soil Science Societies – Soil Science Society of America; Soil Science Society of Nigeria; Crop Science Society of America; American Society of Agronomy; Society for General Microbiology and others who have championed and defended these disciplines for life.
The book starts with Executive Summary and progresses to Soil Dynamism; Soil as Part of Terrestrial Ecosystem Resource; Soil Health; Pesticides in Soil Environment; Soil as Nucleus of Life; Soil and Sediment Mineralogy; The Remediation of Contaminated Soil. Others are: Effects of Soil Type and Environment Factors in Fertility Management; Soil Testing as a Tool for Identifying Nutrient Deficiency; Developing a Sustainable Soil and Farming System. The author also explored Sustainable Soil and Farming; Soil Constraints and Alleviation for Crop Production; Alleviation of Physical Soil Constraints; Alleviation of Chemical Constraints; Alternative Production Systems; Hydroponics and closes the book by lamenting on the expensive, noble and scarce, but unlimited resources of the soil that are central to survival of man on Planet-Earth. He challenged the World that hating and repugnanting soil is akin to biting the fingers that is feeding us. To the author, soil is a great asset, brother and sister to the atmosphere and hydrosphere, supporting over 99% of World’s over US$246 Trillion Wealth. To the author, the soil still remain resilient and resistant to change, intimidation and discrimination; as the place of soil in agriculture and life of man in this Planet-Earth cannot be rivalled in space, scope and time.