Integrated Soil Health and Fertility Management for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security

INTRODUCTION

Healthy soils increase the capacity of crops to withstand weather variability, including short term extreme precipitation events and intra-seasonal drought. Following the rapid increase in population growth in the universe, wide spread land degradation through deforestation and pressure on limited pieces of land, soil health and management is vital in ensuring sustainable crops growth and enhancing food security and nutrition. This 5 days training course aim to guide participants on how to retain soil fertility, reduce land degradation and restore the soil productivity hence ensuring sustainable productivity of the soil.

DURATION

5 days

TOPICS TO BE COVERED

Module 1:

Introduction to ISHFM and basic concepts

• Soil Fertility and soil health
• Physical, chemical and agronomic characteristics of soils
• Problem Soils (Saline, sodic, saline-sodic, and acid sulfate soils)
• Remedial measures and management techniques for selected problem soils

Module 2:

Soil Fertility Management

• Overview of nutrition and plant growth
• Diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies and corrective measures
• Organic and inorganic fertilizers
• Livestock integration
• Criteria for fertilizer recommendations
• Roles of organic matter and its maintenance
• Integrated plant nutrition systems

Module 3:

Soil Conservation

• Mechanics of soil erosion
• Soil erosivity and erodibility
• Maximizing on-farm recycling of nutrients
• Mechanical and biological measures for erosion control
• Tillage management
• Crop management practices

Module 4:

ISHFM Strategies to Maximize Profits and Agronomic Use Efficiency

• Reducing nutrient losses - blocking nutrient flows from leaving the farm
• Better management of available resources - managing internal flows of nutrients
• Improving the efficiency of nutrient uptake
• Economic considerations
• Computer-based decision support tools

Module 5:

Extension Techniques

• Overview of agricultural extension approaches
• Conceptual framework for agricultural extension campaign
• Extension program planning and implementation
• Farmer training

Non Agronomic Soil Components

• Support for rural credit systems
• Market-oriented institutional changes
• Improving linkages between research and extension support institutions