Bangkok: The highly anticipated call for applications for the King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award 2025 is now open, with a submission deadline set for 1 September 2025. This prestigious award, inaugurated in 2018, honors individuals or institutions that have made significant strides in raising public consciousness about soil health through noteworthy World Soil Day (WSD) celebrations.
According to EMM, the award is sponsored by the Kingdom of Thailand and is named in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, recognizing his lifelong dedication to sustainable soil management and its crucial role in ensuring food security and alleviating poverty. Eligible nominees are those who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to promoting sustainable soil management through impactful WSD events held between 1 November and 31 December 2024.
FAO Members and their Global Soil Partnership (GSP) focal points are encouraged to nominate potential candidates. The nomination process involves a pre-screening and shortlisting by the GSP Secretariat, followed by a final selection by a dedicated committee. Winners of the award receive a cash prize of USD 15,000, a medal, and an invitation to Thailand on 5 December for the annual WSD celebration organized by the Kingdom of Thailand.
Previous recipients of the King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award include Practical Action from Bangladesh in 2018, the Costa Rican Soil Science Society (AACS) in 2019, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 2020, the Nigerian Institute of Soil Science (NISS) in 2021, the Institute of Geology, National Autonomous University of Mexico (IGI-UNAM) in 2022, and the Soil and Fertilizer Society of Thailand (SFST) in 2023. These winners have been recognized for their exceptional efforts in promoting soil awareness and sustainable management practices.