FAO training on Technological Innovations in Soil Science for Nigeria Institute of Soil Science. 3 November 2020, Zoom platform Carolina Olivera

2. Carolina Olivera
GSP Secretariat

3. Soil functions

4. Sustainable Soil Management
SSM definition (VGSSM, 2017):
“Soil management is sustainable if the
supporting, provisioning, regulating, and
cultural services provided by soil are
maintained or enhanced without
significantly impairing either the soil
functions that enable those services or
biodiversity. The balance between the
supporting and provisioning services for
plant production and the regulating services
the soil provides for water quality and
availability and for atmospheric
greenhouse gas composition is a particular
concern”.

5. Achieving food security

6. Providing clean water

7. Preserving soil biodiversity

8. Mitigating and adapting to climate change
https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=8_69vy7ZBxE&t=9s

10. Sustainable soil management
MINIMIZE
 soil erosion
 soil structure
degradation
 nutrients imbalance
 salinization
 contaminants
 soil sealing is
minimized.
 optimized and safe use
of agrochemicals
INCREASE
 surface cover
 soil organic matter
 water efficiency
 soil biodiversity

11. Sustainable soil management:
tools and resources

12. 'Sustainable soil management for nutrition-sensitive
agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia' project
The three project components are:
1.Revision of existing documentation on sustainable soil management
for nutrition sensitive agriculture and identification of knowledge gaps;
2.National capacities are developed to strengthen technical and local
extension services to implement sustainable soil management practices;
3.The policy environment for investment and technical cooperation
is strengthened in terms of promoting sustainable soil management that
integrates nutrition-sensitive agriculture and micronutrient management,
supported by related guidelines developed under the Global and
Regional Soil Partnerships.
The goal of the project is to improve nutrition through the soil, crop, and
human continuum, particularly in locally-produced and consumed foods.

13. 'Sustainable soil management for nutrition-sensitive
agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia' project
BANGLADESH
Rice, mung bean
cauliflower,
cabbage
BURKINA
FASO
Sorghum,
cowpea
MALAWI
Maize,
soybean,
amaranth

14. Sustainable soil management protocol
• A tool to support the
implementation of the
VGSSM;
• A third version of this
protocol for the assessment
of SSM was presented at
the GSP Plenary Assembly
in June 2020;
• Endorsed in September
2020;

15. Sustainable soil management protocol
A protocol for assessing whether a management practice is
sustainable according to the definition of SSM in the VGSSM. The
assessment is based on the use of a set of chemical, physical and
biological indicators.

16. Sustainable soil management protocol
Recommended set of indicators
• Soil productivity (ton /Ha / year)
• Soil organic carbon (%)
• Soil physical properties (soil bulk density)
• Soil biological activity (respiration rate)
associated with an additional biological
indicator
The recommended
indicators were chosen as
they are widely developed,
and rely on internationally
established and harmonized
methodologies. They are
considered as reference
indicators

17. Sustainable soil management protocol
Additional indicators for specific cases
 Soil nutrients (P)
 Soil erosion
 Soil salinity (EC)
 Soil biological activity
 Soil biodiversity
 Soil pH
 Available water capacity
 Infiltration field test
 Penetration resistance field test
 Soil pollution
Foto: Gilberto Murcia
If soil degradation is caused by specific and
identified threats, the latter can be measured
through the use of additional indicators

18. Sustainable soil management protocol

19. Sustainable soil management protocol
1. Plan the SSM study or assessment design
• Select the areas of study
• Collect available information (NDVI, soil maps)
• Input field information
2. Assess the SSM – data interpretation
• Input the SSM indicators information: 1) for the
baseline or control 2) for the SSM assessment
• Data interpretation and SSM assessment
3. Sampling and laboratory Methodologies
• To be included in the annex, in collaboration
with GLOSOLAN
Field
information
Data interpretation
and SSM assessment
Laboratory analysis

20. Sustainable soil management protocol
2. Field observations
4. Soil sampling for
laboratory analysis
1. Soil data analysis
3. Field measurements

21. Sustainable Soil Practices
Organic fertilizers:
organic waste reuse
and recycling

22. Sustainable Soil Practices
Erosion control

23. Sustainable Soil Practices
Cover crop
Green fences

24. Sustainable Soil Practices
Water management

25. Sustainable Soil Practices
Ecosystem protection

26. Carolina.oliverasanchez@fao.org
www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership
Thanks for your attention