101 participants from 17 pacific countries are currently participating in an online training on digital soil mapping. 

This capacity development initiative is supported by a comprehensive capacity development programme which supports member countries to produce their national datasets. A capacity building toolkit has been prepared which outline input data requirements, data preparation, and soil information products to contribute to the global update of salt-affected soils. GSP is using this toolkit to support national experts to produce soil information for evidence-based decision making. The toolkit includes the following:

1. Country guidelines 
2. Lesson 1: Requirements for capacity building
   
3. Lesson 2: Data preparation and software installation 
4. Lesson 3: Spatial modelling of soil properties 
5. Lesson 4: Spatial modelling of salt-affected soils 
6. Technical manual 
7. QGIS (GIS Software)
8. ILWIS (GIS Database)
9. R (Modelling and computing software)

The capacity development effort aims at: (1) building consistent and updated national and regional soil information systems to contribute to Global Soil Information System (GloSIS); (2) Share and transfer soil knowledge and new technology within and beyond the region; (3) Provide soil information to all those with interest in sustainable soil and land management; and (4) train a new generation of experts in soil science, digital soil mapping and sustainable soil management.