The Global Soil Doctors Programme is a farmer-to-farmer training programme that builds the capacity of smallholder farmers on soil science principles for sustainable soil management. It identifies champion farmers, called Soil Doctors, who then train other farmers in their communities. The programme provides tools like an implementation manual, soil testing manual, soil testing kit, and posters to help promoters. It was improved last year by updating training materials and addressing requested topics. The next steps are to officially launch the programme in 2019 and establish pilot sites in three regions with support from interested countries and promoters, though resources are still needed for large-scale implementation.

1. The Global Soil Doctors
Programme
Zineb Bazza

2. The Global Soil Doctors
Programme
• Farmer-to-farmer training programme aimed
at:
• Building the capacity of smallholder farmers on soil
science principles for practices of sustainable soil
management;
• Supporting governmental agencies and
organizations working on agricultural extension at
the field level.
• Developed for developing countries, but is
designed to be flexible

3. The Global Soil Doctors
Programme
Potential: to create a self-sufficient system that
will promote the practice of sustainable soil
management independently of national
resources

4. The Global Soil Doctors
Programme
Potential: to provide continuity and
dissemination of good practices after the end of
projects.

5. How does it work?
• GSP to identify promoters!
• Champion farmers are identified (the Soil
Doctors)
• Soil Doctors train other farmers in their
community on soil science principles, testing
their soils and on sustainable soil management

6. Tools for the promoters
• An Implementation Manual
• A Soil Testing Methods Manual
• A Soil Testing Kit (basic)
• Posters + Poster training aid

7. How was the programme
improved in the last year?
• Improvement of training material
• Inclusion of key topics as
requested (Soil Pollution and
Fertilizers)
• Determination of needs at the
field level

8. Next steps + what is expected
from the PA
• Official launch of the
programme (2019)
Interested countries and
promoters should come forward
• Pilot sites in 3 different
countries (Africa, Asia and
Latin America)
• Resources are needed for large
scale implementation

9. Thank you for
your attention!