Item 1. GSP developments of regional interest

6th Asian Soil Partnership MEETING | 4-5 February 2021
Item 1
GSP developments of
regional interest
Ms. Lucrezia Caon
NENA Soil Partnership coordinator
6th Asian Soil Partnership
MEETING
4 - 5 February 2021
By Ms. Lucrezia Caon
Asian Soil Partnership coordinator
GSP Secretariat

Pillar 1
Promote sustainable
management of soil resources
for soil protection,
conservation and sustainable
productivity

Protocol for the assessment of sustainable
soil management
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.
SSM protocol

Protocol for the assessment of sustainable soil
management
• The protocol was endorsed by a special session of the GSP
Plenary Assembly in September 2020
• The GSP is currently finalizing the Annex to the protocol on
field and laboratory soil analysis methodologies. The final
document will be published in the first semester of 2021
• If you have any ongoing project on sustainable soil
management that you would like to have evaluated through
the protocol, please contact Ms. Carolina Olivera at
Carolina.OliveraSanchez@fao.org.

The International Code of Conduct for the
Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
• Endorsed by 41st Session of FAO
Conference in 2019
• It is a response to:
(i) COAG 25 recommendation for “FAO to
intensity its food safety work and technical
support to smallholders at local level
concerning the safe use of fertilizers and
pesticides”
(ii) Sustainable Development Goals
(iii) UNEA 3 Resolution on managing soil
pollution to achieve Sustainable
Development”
www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/ca5253en/

What are the objectives of The Code?
• The aim of the Fertilizer Code is to promote the
responsible and judicious use of fertilizers to prevent
inappropriate use, underuse and overuse.
• The aim is to assist member countries design policies
and regulatory frameworks for the sustainable use of
fertilizers.
For more information regarding the The Code and implementation activities
please contact Ms. Vinisa Saynes at vinisa.saynessantillan@fao.org

Implementation of the Fertilizer Code
• Official launch : 19 May 2020 (webinar)
Activities under implementation:
- The GSP is about to send out a short
survey to prioritize the activities to
implement in each region. Please
complete the survey as soon as you
receive it.
- International Network on Fertilizer
Analysis (INFA) launched on 8 and 9
December 2020. INFA will operate under
the Global Soil Laboratory Network
(GLOSOLAN). All laboratories doing or
interested to do fertilizer analysis are
welcome to join INFA.

Launched in December 2020. Agreement on the INFA work
plan for the period January - June 2021. Main goal:
consolidation of the network
http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/glosolan/fertilizers-analysis-international-
network-on-fertilizer-analysis/en/

What are the main objectives of INFA ?
• Methods and protocols standardization for the analysis of fertilizers. This
links to the harmonization of fertilizer quality data.
• Strengthening the performance of fertilizer laboratories using
standardized methods and protocols.
• Fertilizer quality standards harmonization (classification and definitions)
so that fertilizer information would be comparable and interpretable
across laboratories, countries and regions.
INFA’s objectives will be finalized at the 2nd INFA meeting in June 2021. Why?
INFA wants to have a concrete impact. More stakeholders need to be brought
on board and listened.
Please spread the voice on INFA. Help us to get in touch with the industry and
any fertilizer association in your country. Please contact Lucrezia.Caon@fao.org
and Vinisa.Saynessantillan@fao.org

INFA is composed by PARTNERS like IFA and the IFDC,
and by MEMBERS (89 members on 26 January 2021)
Laboratories
See INFA interactive map
(https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=
1tvVsvslLkBmB4kaGmiZOwuOEFPvTxegD&ll=-
3.81666561775622e-14%2C0&z=1)
Green: Laboratories that have the
official mandate of their government
to do fertilizer analysis
Blue: Laboratories that do fertilizer
analysis on a voluntary basis
Yellow: Laboratories which do not
perform fertilizer analysis yet, but
are interested in the topic
Please spread the voice and motivate laboratories in your countries to join INFA.
Information on how to register your laboratory to INFA are available at
http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/glosolan/fertilizers-analysis-
international-network-on-fertilizer-analysis/en/

Second Meeting – Virtual – June 2021
Main objectives:
- Election of the INFA Chair and vice-Chair
- Endorsement of INFA objectives and indicators of
performance
- Definition of the INFA work plan for the period June
2021-June 2022 (link to the development of a business
plan and financial resource mobilization)
Please spread the voice and register to the meeting
How to register?
• All INFA partners and members will receive an invitation to join the meeting
• GSP members will be notified about the meeting through the GSP newsletter
• The meeting will be advertised on the INFA webpage and on GSP social channels like Facebook
• All those interested to attend the meeting are kindly asked to send an email to
Lucrezia.Caon@fao.org, Vinisa.Saynessantillan@fao.org and to Filippo.Benedetti@fao.org

Pillar 2
Encourage investment,
technical cooperation, policy,
education, awareness and
extension in soil

 WSD map is here http://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/worldwide-events/en/
You may check the events organized by location.
Please remember to register the WSD events you organized on the website so that
they are advertised on the map.
 Questions of the WSD should be addressed to the World-Soil-Day mailbox
World-Soil-Day@fao.org

SoiLEX
The GSP newest tool on soil governance

What is SoiLEX ?
An online global database specifically
on soil protection and soil
degradation prevention legal
instruments.
Why SoiLEX ?
1. Facilitates access to information
on existing legal instruments,
2. Helps identify the main gaps in
the legal frameworks for soil
protection,
3. Develop new knowledge and
document good practices.

SoiLEX was launched during a
webinar on soil governance on 13
January 2021, which gathered more
than 800 participants from 160
countries.
More than 1745 documents from
175 countries are currently present
on the platform.
Users can search legal instruments
by soil keywords and by country,
providing a central source of
information contributing to
research and facilitating the
understanding of national soil legal
frameworks.

The creation of the platform was the result of a collaborative
approach thanks to the support of GSP focal points and national
experts who responded to the SoiLEX questionnaire during the first
half of 2020.
This allowed them to validate the relevance of the information for
their countries.

Of the 1745 documents currently
present online, only 109 are from
Asia.
China and Vietnam are the countries
with the most documents. For the
other countries, little information is
available online.
This lack of information is due to a
very low response rate: less than
20% of Asian countries responded
to the SoiLEX questionnaire.
Two Asian countries are currently
not present on SoiLEX: Singapore
and Brunei Darussalam.

Way forward
1. Consult your country profile on the SoiLEX platform at:
http://www.fao.org/soils-portal/soilex/en/
2. Respond to the SoiLEX questionnaire for your country or share the
questionnaire with your network: http://www.fao.org/global-soil-
partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1274929/
The more answers we collect at country level, the more accurate
and up-to-date the platform will be, reflecting the reality of each
country's legal framework.

http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/pillars-action/2-awareness-raising/soil-
doctor/en/
Implementation of the Global Soil Doctors Programme
• Programme launched on 5 October 2020
• A farmer-to-farmer training initiative to be
implemented by local promoters, with the GSP
support, on a volunteer basis
• Interested farmers in the community will receive
general training – the Soil Doctors selected will
receive a higher-level training
• The Soil Doctors are provided with a toolbox:
- Implementation manual
- A soil testing methods manual
- Educational material

Implementation of the Global Soil Doctors Programme
• The GSP is currently:
- testing soil testing kits to include in the Soil
Doctors Programme
- Implementing the programme in a few pilot
countries
The GSP prepared a short survey to collect the
names of those interested to implement the
programme. 📍English: https://bit.ly/3gPXJ7z
All those completing the survey will be contacted
by the GSP for developing a country specific
implementation plan of the programme
For more information on the programme and for contributing to it, please
contact Ms. Carolina Olivera at Carolina.OliveraSanchez@fao.org

Pillar 3
Promote targeted soil research and
development focusing on identified
gaps, priorities and synergies with
related productive, environmental
and social development actions

ReSOIL: Online platform on
research and development on soil
This activity was initiated in March 2020 by the Pillar 3
Working Group, who started drafting the questionnaire
and criteria for the inclusion of institutions and
programmes on the database
However, the activity has temporarily been postponed
until resources are available, as it requires the
development of a professional databased

International Network on
Salt-affected Soils
(INSAS)

Launched in November 2019, during the Global Forum on
Innovations for Marginal Environments, organized by the
International Center for Biosaline Agriculture’s (ICBA) -
Dubai, UAE
Why ? To join efforts to face the challenge of sustainably
manage salt-affected soils especially in NENA and
Eurasian countries
Specific objectives :
1. To provide a platform for countries with salt-affected soils to discuss
common issues related to the conservation and sustainable
management of salt-affected soils
2. To foster collaboration among these countries towards promoting the
sustainable use and management of salt-affected soils and identify
relevant research gaps
3. To serve as a platform for knowledge sharing and technical
cooperation on salt-affected soils management

Work plan and way forward
Organization of the first INSAS meeting in March
2021 to define its work plan and governance.
Additional information on the meeting will be sent
to all national focal points soon
Experts and practitioners dealing with salt-
affected soils mapping and management, as
well as those working on integrated water
management and crop resistance in
saline environments are heartily welcome
If not done yet, all countries
and organizations willing to
join and contribute to the
work of INSAS should send
an email to
Mr. Filippo Benedetti
(Filippo.Benedetti@fao.org)

Although a clear work plan is still to be
developed, some activities are already
ongoing. These refer to :
• The development of the Global Soil
Salinity Map (to be launched in 2021)
• The writing of the Global status of salt-
affected soils (to be published in 2021)
• The organization of the Global
symposium on salt-affected soils
(September 2021, Uzbekistan)
Work plan and way forward

Soil Atlas of Asia
• Start of this activity : March 2018
• Expected publication date : December 2021

Soil Atlas of Asia
Report of the 4th Editorial Board meeting available at
http://www.fao.org/3/cb2555en/cb2555en.pdf
Actions to take
• Please review your country profiles
• Please finalize your soil classification maps in the WRB
system
• Please discuss about border harmonization with your
neighbouring countries
By the end of February, we will start working on stories!

Pillar 4
Information
and
Data

GloSIS
Global Soil Information System

DESIGN
Capacity
Development
Soil
Information
Systems
Global
Datasets
• GloSIS Discovery
Hub
• GloSIS Data
Exchange
● GSOCmap
● GSSmap
● GSOCseq
● GBSmap
● GSERmap
● ...
• Trainings
• Product
Guidelines
• Technical
Manuals
• Regional, National, Institutional
Soil Information Systems
Resource
Mobilisation
• Regional &
National TCP
Projects
• …

GSOCmap V1.0 (2017) … V1.5 (2019) …V.1.6 (2020)
GSSmap
GSOCseq
GBSmap
GSERmap
GloSIS Country Driven Global Datasets
Kick-off 25% 50% 75% 100%
V1.0 (Q2 2021)
V1.0 (Q1 2021)
V1.0 (Q1 2021)
V1.0 (Q4 2021)

GSSmap – Global Soil Salinity Map
•Guidelines and Technical Specifications
•Technical Manual and training materials
•Capacity development
•National mapping
•Compilation of the final map
•GSSmap Technical report
•Report on the global status of salt-
affected soils
In progress
Done
Done
Done
Pending
In progress
Pending

Progress with salinity mapping and reporting

Progress with GSAS Report

Submission of National GSSmap layers
• Please submit your national GSSmap Layers AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
• Please contact Christian.Omuto@fao.org or
Yusuf.Yigini@fao.org for more information about your
submissions.
GSSmap – Global Soil Salinity Map

• All ASP countries : please send your book chapter for the
Global Status of Salt-Affected Soils by 28 February. Please
note that we extended deadline. Please note that each
country has a chapter assigned and that the book will be
published together with the GSSmap.
Please submit your contribution using the link below:
https://forms.gle/YQJnHCf8jJpK1PEX9
Contact Mr. Filippo Benedetti (Filippo.Benedetti@fao.org)
and to Mr. Christian Omuto (Christian.Omuto@fao.org) for
more information.
GSAS Report

GSOCmap V1.0 (2017) … V1.5 (2019) …V.1.6 (2020)
GSSmap
GSOCseq
GBSmap
GSERmap
Country Driven Global Datasets
Kick-off 25%
50% 75%
100%
V1.0 (Q2 2021)
V1.0 (Q1 2021)
V1.0 (Q1 2021)
V1.0 (Q4 2021)

GSOCseq - Global Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration
Potential Map
As per the preparation of other global maps, the entire process is
country-driven, continuous, participatory, based on and guided by the
best available science, rigorous collection and analysis of appropriate
data, and consideration of experiences and good practices within, and
outside, countries.
Why a GSOCseq map ?
To fill a big gap, simulate soil organic carbon stocks over a 20–year period in
agricultural lands and quantify the soil organic carbon sequestration
potential under different sustainable soil management and business as usual
(BAU) scenarios at national scale. This will eventually give us a global
perspective and understanding of critical role of soils in major global issues.

Planning
Feasibility, Methodologies, Technical
Specifications and Country Guidelines,
Reviewing, INSII/NFP Expert nomination
2019-
2020
Technical Development
Cookbook (Technical Manual), Modelling
Environment, Script, Training Materials
Q1-Q4
2020
GSOCseq V1.0
Q1
2021
Capacity Development &
Production
Regional Training Sessions. Technical
Manual
Q1
2021
GSOCseq Development Process
Technical specifications and country guidelines & Technical
Manual

➔Product Specifications
➔Procedures
➔Data requirements
➔Data Sources
➔Quality Assurance/Quality
Check
➔Data Policy
➔Delivery Process
http://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb0353en/

GSOCseq Capacity Development
5 days
(Training)
MODULE I
Hands-on practice with a
training dataset
● Day 1 - Introduction: General framework (BAU, SSM1-SSM2-SSM3), Product
specifications,
● Day 2 - Introduction to sequestration modelling (RothC Basics), Input data
requirements, uncertainties, software and tools
● Day 3 - Introduction to R and start running the script (Scripts 0 to 5)
● Day 4 - Scripts 6-9
● Day 5 - Review and interpretation of the results and QA, Preparation instructions
for the next session
5 days
(Production)
MODULE II
National GSOCseq
Development using
national data
● Day 1 - National Input Data
● Day 2 - Running the script from 0 - 7
● Day 3 - Running the script from 8-9
● Day 4 - Running the script from 8-9
● Day 5 - Writing rasters, packing, submission procedure etc
2 MODULES | 30 COURSE HOURS |8 REGIONS
Capacity Development &
Production
Regional Training Sessions. Technical
Manual
Q1 2020 – Q1 2021

GSOCseq Capacity Development
• Please contact Yusuf.Yigini@fao.org for more information
about GSOCseq and GSOCseq Capacity Development.

Pillar 4 Global Implementation
Plan
• Pillar 4 New Global Implementation Plan 2021-2030
• Concept Note is being reviewed by INSII
• Full IP (March 2021)
• GSP PA Endorsement (June 2021)

Pillar 5
Harmonization of methods,
measurements and indicator
for the sustainable
management and protection
of soil resources

Established in November 2017 to build and strengthen the
capacity of laboratories in soil analysis and to respond to the
need for harmonizing soil analytical methods and data.
http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/glosolan/en/

For the harmonization of soil laboratory methods and data, and for building
the capacity of laboratories in soil analysis. Four major areas of work:
- Execution of external quality control (proficiency testing)
- Training on the execution of internal quality control
- Harmonization of Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs)
- Training on the implementation of GLOSOLAN SOPs
- Training on safety and health
- Training on equipment use, maintenance and
purchasing
- Establishment of a donation/bartering system
- Spectroscopy
- Harmonization of fertilizers quality
assessment procedures

Africa
AFRILAB
Asia
SEALNET
Europe &
Eurasia
EUROSOLAN
Latin
America
LATSOLAN
Near East &
North Africa
NENALAB
North
America
Pacific
ASPAC
121 94 122 151 61 6 16
At present, GLOSOLAN counts almost 600 registered laboratories
 Established in November 2017
 Governance 2019-2021 :
Chair: Dr. Gina Nilo (Philippines)
Vice-Chair: Ms. Su Su Win (Myanmar) & Mr. Sunjay
Srivastava (India)

National Soil Laboratory Networks (NASOLANs)
GLOBAL
REGIONAL
NATIONAL
How does GLOSOLAN work?
The national focal point to the Global Soil Partnership nominate a laboratory
to serve as National Reference Laboratory (NRL).
The NRL is tasked to establish the NASOLAN for its country.

Actions to take…
• Please spread the voice on GLOSOLAN and SEALNET. Motivate
laboratories to register to the network by sending an email to the
GLOSOLAN Coordinator (lucrezia.caon@fao.org)
• Countries in Asia that still miss a National Reference Laboratory are:
 Brunei Darussalaam
 DPR Korea
 Maldives
 Singapore
 Timor Leste
The GSP is actually struggling to communicate with these countries.
Please let us know if you have any contact in there.

Actions to take…
• Please politically and if possible financially support the
laboratories registered in GLOSOLAN from your country
and your National Reference Laboratory especially.
National Reference Laboratories are now working on the
establishment of their National Soil Laboratory Networks
(NASOLAN). They need all the support you can give them

Soil Spectroscopy – main activities work plan 2021
• Development of the Global soil spectral calibration library
 Attention on MIR at first. Countries are kindly invited to send
soil samples to the USDA (country sample submission
guidelines available on the GLOSOLAN website soon)
• Development of a Soil property estimation service
• Identification of the regional champion laboratory on soil
spectroscopy for Asia:
Soil Spectroscopy Laboratory, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science,
Bhopal, India

Thanks for
your attention

Item 1. GSP developments of regional interest

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Item 1. GSP developments of regional interest