The Service is responsible for programmes and activities related to integrated planing and management of land and plant nutrient resources, enhancement of soil fertility and land productivity for food production and other social and environmental services of land. It promotes sustainable land use and land development policies, strategies and technologies, integrated management of soil, water and plant nutrients, including the efficient use of fertilizer. The programmes and activities of the service include the development of participatory approaches; policy advice, perspective studies and technical guidance at global, regional and national levels; supporting inventory and assessment of land resources status and trends; dissemination of appropriate technologies; management practices and decision support systems.

Organizational structure

- Office of the Chief
- Integrated Plant Nutrient and Soil Fertility Management Group
- Land Management and Conservation Group
- Land Resources Policy and Information Group

Activities

The Land and Soil Fertility Management Service:

1. Advises governments in formulation and implementation of appropriate land use, land management and fertilizer policies. Advises on strategies for soil conservation, plant nutrient management and on the dissemination and promotion of soil and water conservation technologies.
   
   
2. Co-operates with UN and specialised agencies, international and national bodies, non-governmental organisations and private sector to support sustainable and productive land use and land management practices.
   
   
3. Contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21 and the Rio Conventions and assists member countries in the preparation of National Action Plans.
   
   
4. Contributes to institutional reforms and human resources development in land and soil fertility management through the preparation of guidelines, training material and technical support using in particular, participatory and gender sensitive approaches.
   
   
5. Develops integrated land, water and plant nutrition management systems, soil fertility and land productivity enhancement methodologies, technologies and practices including conservation agriculture, agroforestry systems, organic and mineral fertilisation and biological nitrogen fixation systems.
   
   
6. Promotes transfer of technologies in soil and moisture management, particularly in the adoption of appropriate tillage systems for sustainable soil resource management and increased production.
   
   
7. Provides guidance and technical assistance to member countries in management, rehabilitation and reclamation of degraded and problem soils.
   
   
8. Promotes the development of cost-effective methods for land and soil survey and classification including testing and identification of soil deficiencies, criteria and methods for assessment of land degradation and monitoring trends.
   
   
9. Provides documentation, information and technical guidance for the assessment, management and conservation of soil resources including physical, chemical and biological attributes.
   
   
10. Monitors global and regional fertilizer supply and demand, develop forecasting and fertiliser use monitoring systems in collaboration with relevant national and international institutions providing information on current fertilizer situation and outlooks and guidance to governments' in the development of their fertiliser sector.
    
    
11. Promotes the development and harmonisation of land evaluation methodology, land use analysis, land degradation assessments, agro-ecological zoning, indicators of land quality and criteria for monitoring land use systems and works towards their application through participatory land use planning approaches.
    
    
12. Promotes soil and land use classification and correlation methodologies. Maintains a database and web-based information system on land, soil and fertilizer use at national and regional level for comparative studies and analysis.
    
    
13. Supports member countries in the formulation and implementation of land management, soil conservation and soil fertility projects and programs including SPFS, SFI and emergency and relief operations.