Siddhesh Sakore from Maharashtra Named Land Hero by UNCCD

Siddhesh Sakore, a farmer and founder of AGRO RANGERS from Maharashtra, has been honored as a Land Hero by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The announcement was made on World Desertification and Drought Day during a ceremony in Bonn, Germany, on Sunday. Sakore is among ten Land Heroes recognized by the UNCCD, with others hailing from Brazil, Costa Rica, Germany, Mali, Moldova, Morocco, the Philippines, the US, and Zimbabwe.

Sakore’s Contributions and Background

Sakore, who comes from a farming family, holds a degree in mechanical engineering. His passion for natural farming and technical expertise in waste management has led him to develop cost-effective mechanical devices for converting organic waste into compost. Through his work at Vigyan Ashram, he has created several eco-friendly and cost-effective social innovations aimed at solving real-life problems.

According to the UNCCD citation, Sakore is dedicated to addressing soil degradation on agricultural land and empowering small and marginal farmers in his community through innovative agroforestry models. He has firsthand experience of the challenges faced by farmers, including economic crises, the use of toxic chemicals, unsustainable farming practices, and the impacts of climate change.

UNCCD Ceremony Highlights

During the ceremony, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the importance of unity in addressing land degradation. “As the focus of this year’s World Day reminds us, we must be ‘United for Land’. Governments, businesses, academics, communities, and more must come together and act,” he stated. Guterres called for increased momentum towards the implementation of the UNCCD’s goals, particularly in the lead-up to UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, and stressed the need to ensure young people’s voices are heard in these efforts.

Land degradation currently affects up to 40% of the world’s land and nearly half of the global population, with the highest costs borne by indigenous communities, rural households, smallholder farmers, and particularly youth and women. Engaging youth in land restoration is seen as a crucial step, potentially creating 600 million jobs in the next 15 years, which would contribute to both economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Messages from Global Leaders

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, highlighted the importance of good soil, safe food, and clean water. He called for collaborative efforts to ensure a sustainable future for young people.

Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, underlined the urgency of combating land degradation, noting that by 2050, 10 billion people will depend on land resources. Currently, the world is losing the equivalent of four football fields to land degradation every second.

Conclusion

Siddhesh Sakore’s recognition as a Land Hero underscores the significant impact of his work in sustainable farming and waste management. His dedication to empowering farmers and addressing environmental challenges reflects the broader goals of the UNCCD to combat desertification and promote sustainable land use globally.