New Website:
Mineral Fertilizer Specifications
Mineral fertilizers are commodities that are manufactured in bulk in an industrial process. Although production technology shows considerable improvements over time, the basic process itself shows little variability throughout the world. Mineral fertilizers are internationally traded with specifications that are industry standard. Fertilizer specifications, however, can vary from country to country against which commercial products are judged for quality. For purchasing fertilizers from international and/or national markets, specifications have to be indicated. The Mineral Fertilizer Specifications web page attempts to provide a brief overview of "industry standard" fertilizer specifications for 15 most traded fertilizer products.
More ...

New Website:
PAP/RAC - FAO Experiences in Combating Land Degradation in Mediterranean Coastal Areas
More ...

New Website:
IPNIS - Integrated Plant Nutrition Information System
IPNIS is a database providing a collection of data on crop-wise plant nutrients management at administrative (district) level, supported by relevant information on soil and soil management, agro-ecological zones, and crop production constraints.
In this database application, one can find crops grown at different locations, their yields and cropping practices. More importantly, the actual fertilization practiced by the farmers along with the extension service recommendations and research findings, where available, can be found.
The main objective of the database is to provide researchers, extension officers, decision-makers and other stakeholders working in the area of agricultural development with information that is not only a prerequisite for providing farmers with appropriate advice on nutrient management, but also providing background information for policy and strategy formulations for improved plant nutrients use, demand forecasting, and formulation of agricultural production oriented field programmes. More ...

New Event :
Round Table on Water for Agriculture in Africa, the Near East and the Small Island Development States
FAO Rome, 22 November 2005
For the past decade, FAO has advocated for a better recognition of the role of water in ensuring food for all and eradicating rural poverty. The role of water in agriculture became of prime concern to FAO with the launching of the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) in 1994, where water control for agriculture was identified as one of the four major components of the programme. Furthermore, as pressure on water resources is increasing with population and growth, the scope and need exist for rapid increase in water productivity in agriculture. Carefully designed water management strategies, associated with programs aiming at improving the efficiency and productivity of water use need to be put in place.
The Round table will provide an opportunity to review action taken in the three regions to improve water management in agriculture and identify priorities for action in the short and medium terms.
- The morning session will discuss issues related to competition for water and the implications for agriculture.
- The afternoon session will discuss agricultural water management options for poverty reduction in rural areas.
The Round Table will be opened by the Director General of FAO. Keynote presentations will set the stage and be followed by open debates. Interventions from delegates and other participants are encouraged.
More background information in Arabic, Chinese, English, French and Spanish is available at www.fao.org/ag
Announcement: Eng, Fre, Spa  Agenda: Eng, Fre, Spa, Arabic, Chinese   Background Doc: Eng, Fre, Spa, Arabic, Chinese
Technical Contact: Jean-Marc Faures      Spotlight Article: Focus on Water
For more information about issues of water and agriculture click here

Electronic Forum:
World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB)
In follow up of the General WRB Meeting held in Petrozavodsk, in August 2004, a review has been undertaken and proposals for changes made in order to produce a fully revised WRB document for the 18th IUSS Congress that will be held in Philadelphia in July 2006.
The WRB Steering Committee wishes to submit these proposals to the soil science community in general and to receive comments and constructive criticism to improve this first draft of part of the revised document.
In the present discussion we are particularly concerned with the definition of the Reference Soil Groups and their place in the Key. This will be followod with discussion on the qualifiers. The Forum will run until the end of April 2005.
AGLL has established discussion group sites on the Internet that deal with sets of subjects and Reference Soil Groups where you can sent your comments. More ... 

New publication:
Carbon sequestration in dryland soils
This publication reflects part of FAO's work on soil carbon sequestration within the framework of its programme on the integrated planning and management of land resources for sustainable rural development. The report presents a comprehensive analysis of the scientific aspects and potential for carbon sequestration in drylands – some of the most soil-degraded and impoverished regions of the world.<br>It is based on case studies carried out across different landuse and management systems in several distinctive dryland areas. The report includes an overview of the policies and clarification of the different economic incentives regarding soil carbon sequestration in order to determine how available resources can be used and specific programmes can be implemented to improve the food security and rural livelihoods in drylands. Read on-line/download...