The document outlines the governance and operational challenges faced by the Zisolan soil laboratory network in Zimbabwe, emphasizing the need for improved soil lab-farm integration and enhanced analytical capabilities. It highlights the current resources and equipment of various participating labs, as well as challenges such as outdated equipment, funding issues, and the necessity for training and research collaborations. The call for a well-equipped lab and better networking among soil laboratories is also emphasized to support sustainable agricultural practices.

1. G L O S O L A N - Z I S O L A N
Z i m b a b w e S o i l L a b o r a t o r y N e t w o r k
Think Soil Lab Governance
Food Production and Security and Sustainable Land Use
28 – 30 October 2019
Rome, Italy

2. Soil Lab-Farm Integration – lack of ….

5. Tension Infiltrometer

6. Work in progress – Installation of Pressure Plates &
Large Surface Extraction Plate

7. The ZISOLAN participating labs
* Environmental Management Agency (EMA)
* Marondera University Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MAUST)
* Zimlabs
* Tobacco Research Board (TRB)
* Department Research and Specialist Services (DR&SS)
* FSG Laboratory
* Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Center (SIRDIC)
* University of Zimbabwe (UZ)

8. Conductivity Meter
* SOM

9. Macronutrients; N, P, K, Ca, S, Mg, C

10. ICP –OES at SIRDIC
for multiple
elemental
analysis in sample

11. * AAS x 2 of which 1 is automated
* UV Visit x 2
* pH meters x 3
* 2 Rollers
* 5 Analytical Balances
• 1 Centrifuge
TRB

12. Elephant
Cyanide
Poisoning

13. Human Lab Capital

14. * An experienced workforce
• The existence of a well managed quality management
system.
Accredited to ISO 17025:2017
• the capacity to analyze as many samples at any given
time
• Labs have equipment

15. . The ever increasing number of tobacco
and small holder farmers
. Growing consciousness amongst
farmers on the need to have their soil
tested
. R&D by universities and partners
* Gvt, bilateral and international Funding
in Agric Production

16. • Lack of locally based instrument engineers
• Old Equipment
• Need Analytical Grade Reagents,
• Water distillation & Deionization equipment
• Forex challenges to buy reagents and consumables
• Power outages
• Local Currency instability
• Aging Lab Scientists

18. • Organization of an inter-laboratory or
PT scheme
• Training opportunities
• Research collaborations
• Funding opportunities for training
and equipment
• Establishment of a well equipped
ZISOLAN lab
•

20. Soil Laboratory Networking
Aluta Continua