http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership This presentation was made during the Regional conference on the Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean soil partnership that took place in La Habana, Cuba 30 Sep-03 Oct 2013. The presentation has the objective to present Status, priorities and needs for sustainable soil management in Suriname. ©FAO: http://www.fao.org

1. STATUS, PRIORITIES AND NEEDS
FOR SUSTAINABLE SOIL
MANAGEMENT IN SURINAME
1
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry &
Fisheries of Suriname

2. Physical-geographical conditions
• Land area 164,000 km2
• Coastal area (± 368 km long) consists of young
clay sediments and sands.
• In the center the Guyana plateau ( Guyana
shields composed of Precambrian rocks)
• Significant Height of the Guyana plateau
12,00 m
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
2

3. Climate
• Tropical, influenced by up and down
movement of the Inter Tropical Convergence
Zone (ITCZ)
• Two rainy and two dry seasons
• Mean annual air temperature ± 27 °C ranging
from 26 °C in January up 31°C in October
• Average annual rainfall in coastal area 2,200
mm
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
3

4. 4 Major Zones
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
4

5. The soil
Soils are categorized according to the four types
of geological formations:
• Demerara formation
• Carolina formation
• Zanderij formation
• Precambrian formation
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
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6. Demerara formation
• Is basically formed by sediments derived from
the Amazonian basin, and in particular from
the more mountainous hinterlands.
• Includes the soils of the young coastal plan.
• Is the most fertile zone, where large scale
agricultural activities are observed.
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
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7. The Carolina Formation
• Is generally composed of clay, sandy-clay or
clayey- sand.
• The lighter soils offer good opportunities for
agricultural activities in particular horticulture
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
7

8. The Zanderij formation
Consists of :
– A non- bleached sands to clay loans
– A bleached coarse sand
These soils have a high infiltration and percolating
rates. These properties are very important for
drinking water, because the largest part of
abundant rainfall percolates here into the ground
recharging the fresh water aquifers.
Agricultural activities are limited to some small-
scale dry crops.
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
8

9. The Precambrian formation
• Is a hilly and mountainous land, mainly
composed of weathered end eroded rocks
with a generally moderately thick regolith
layer.
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
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10. Soil map of Suriname
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
10

11. Water resources
• Seven main rivers, originating in the hilly to
mountainous interior convey about 4,800 m3/s
fresh water into the Atlantic ocean.
• The interior has a dense network of streams.
• In the costal areas they are fewer streams and
extensive swamps (salt, brackish or
freshwater)
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
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12. Map of water resources
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
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13. Ecosystems
• The coastal zones are divided into estuarine
and fresh water ecosystems. The estuarine
zone( mangrove ecosystem is an important
breeding, feeding and nursery ground for the
marine fauna. The fresh water swamp is a
great variety of vegetation.
• Forest covers about 80% of the total area.
About 2 million ha or 13% has the status of
protected area.
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
13

14. Agricultural Sector
Approximately 85% of the suitable agricultural
land is located in the coastal plains.
Suitable for crop cultivation and pastures:
1,5 million ha
In cultivation:
– Rice production : 30,000 ha
– Banana production: 2,000 ha
– Fruits and vegetables: 1,00 ha
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
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15. Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
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The Government policy regarding soil management are:
1. Protection of Mangroves and Parwas of the coastal zone
areas.
2. Setting up a land use and land use management.
3. Agro forestry techniques are implemented in the interior
to maintain stability of the agricultural system. These
techniques can serve as a tool to improve soil fertility and
thereby increase the production.
4. Within the ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and
Fisheries there are training programs in:
– Organic farming
– Composting
– Safe use of pesticide
– Integrated Crop Management/Integrated Pest Management

16. Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
16
Suriname needs assistance in the assessment of
degraded soils to set up a National Action Plan
based on :
•Inventory of factors and practices affecting the
soil degradation.
•Raising the public awareness.
•Program development
•Implementation of preventing measures

17. Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
& Fisheries of Suriname
17