Launch meeting of the International Network on Fertilizers Quality (INFA), 8 - 9 December 2020, virtual meeting Ms. Lucrezia Caon, GSP Secretary

1. Item 6
Mission and objectives of
INFA

2. Mission: to improve the quality of soil laboratory data to support
decision making at field and policy levels, in support of the
overarching goals of eradicating hunger by achieving food security
and improving nutrition, and ensuring environmental quality. In this
context, the work of GLOSOLAN is connected to the GSP Pillars of
Action.
Objectives:
1. To strengthen the performance of laboratories through use of
standardized methods and protocols.
2. To harmonize soil analysis methods so that soil information
would be comparable and interpretable across laboratories,
countries and regions.
3. To provide a certification for technical competencies in
laboratory analysis.

3. Mission: to improve the quality of fertilizer laboratory data to support
decision making at field and policy levels, in support of the overarching goals
of eradicating hunger by achieving food security and improving nutrition,
and ensuring environmental quality. In this context, the work of GLOSOLAN
is connected to the GSP Pillars of Action.
Objectives:
1. To standardize methods and protocols for the analysis of fertilizers. This
links to the harmonization of fertilizer quality data.
2. To strengthen or ensure the performance of fertilizer laboratories
through the use of standardized methods and protocols.
3. To harmonize fertilizer quality standards (classification and definitions)
so that fertilizer information would be comparable and interpretable
across laboratories, countries and regions.
Vision: Proficiency for technical competencies in laboratory fertilizer analysis
is not a priority for all laboratories. INFA can aim to improve the quality of
the analysis only.
Final endorsement of the objectives by email after that manufacturers,
retailers and policy actors are involved in the discussion.

4. Another thing that we defined
in GLOSOLAN were
FORESEEN IMPACTS &
INDICATORS OF
PERFORMANCE
The GSP to draft them and send them to
participants for review and endorsement

5. • To support decision making at field and policy levels;
• To support countries in reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals and on
other international commitments;
• To contribute to the development of international standards and indicators;
• To contribute to the establishment of the Global Soil Information System
(GLOSIS);
• To contribute to the development of harmonized methods for the assessment
and monitoring of degraded lands and/or lands affected by climate change and
other threats, as identified in the Status of the World Soil Resources report;
• To improve the connection between soil chemistry, physics and biology;
• To contribute to and improve soil classification and description (in this regard,
GLOSOLAN should work closer to the other components of Pillar 5); To assist
companies manufacturing laboratory equipment in improving their products
(and so also potentially open the path for new investments in the network);
• To expand the opportunities for technical and scientific cooperation;
• To strengthen the capability of extension services;
• To identify research needs; and
• To increase investments in research.
INFA’s foreseen impacts

6. INFA’s indicators of performance
• Number of laboratories joining GLOSOLAN;
• Number of countries joining GLOSOLAN;
• Number of SOPs developed, adopted and implemented;
• Number of laboratories adopting the methods developed under GLOSOLAN;
• Number of analyses conducted following the SOPs developed by GLOSOLAN;
• Number of ring tests conducted;
• Number of laboratories participating in the ring test;
• The average number of outsiders as a result of the ring test;
• The coefficient of variation in the ring test;
• Number of laboratories trained on the preparation of reference material to use for
internal quality control testing;
• Number of laboratories that get accredited or certified or that pass the ring test;
• Number of laboratories implementing Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs);
• Number of experts sent to the laboratory to check the data analysis (audit
process);
• Number of National Soil Laboratory Networks established;
• Number of training programmes conducted at national and international levels;
• Number of staff that are trained;

7. INFA’s indicators of performance
• Number of laboratory facilities upgraded or enhanced to assess basic soil
parameters as identified by GLOSOLAN (including inventories of equipment
upgraded or enhanced);
• Number of laboratories increasing the number of physical, chemical and biological
parameters they analyze;
• Extent of land (ha) monitored and assessed using harmonized soil parameters and
methods;
• Number of participants in the upcoming GLOSOLAN surveys;
• Number of ebooks and videos produced by GLOSOLAN (outreach data will help in
the analysis); and
• Number of SOPs implemented as accredited methods (to the extent GLOSOLAN
provides for accreditation and certification).

8. Thanks for your
attention