©FAO/ Group photo

Maputo, 22 November 2023- The National Consultative Workshop on implementation of the Soil Land and Water Information System (SoLaWISe) initiative was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Mozambique from November 21st to 22nd, 2023. Mozambique serves as a pilot country for the SoLaWISe initiative, which aims to enhance crop yields sustainably while minimizing the impact on soil, land, and water resources amidst the challenges of climate change.
SoLaWISe offers digital solutions for the management of soil, land, and water, with a particular focus on implementation in Mozambique´s agricultural sector.

In the initial phase, suitability maps were generated for priority crops such as maize, rice, sesame, cotton, soybean, tomato, potato and cashew nut to assess potential production and yield gaps, considering future climate scenarios.
The FAO´s Land and crop monitoring specialist, Sarvia Filippo, considers that this initiative will support agricultural practices in Mozambique. He emphasizes that SoLaWISe's implementation marks a pivotal step towards sustainable farming, offering precise data-driven strategies to optimize crop productivity while safeguarding precious soil and water resources.

The workshop's objectives included presenting the SoLaWISe initiative to strengthen national technical capacities in land cover and crop mapping, as well as socio-economic survey.
Participants were introduced to the methodology and data requirements (such as land cover, soil information, crop requirements, and crop calendar) for the generation of land suitability maps and engaged in discussions regarding preliminary findings.
Two days were dedicated to training specialized teams, covering geospatial tools on one hand and the survey questionnaire on the other.

Background
SoLaWISe aims to assist countries in enhancing the management of soil, land, and water resources, as well as improving crop monitoring. It utilizes advanced information and communication technologies, empowering stakeholders at various levels to adapt agricultural practices, choose appropriate land use and management strategies, and achieve higher and more secure crop yields sustainably while minimizing the impact on soil, land, and water resources in a changing climate.

This includes conducting national consultations led by a group of experts, developing a methodological guidance document, producing crop suitability and yield gap maps for national priority crop, and creating a correspondent national toolbox.
Aligned with national and global priorities in key areas, SoLaWISE, through robust collaborations with both local and international stakeholders, initiates with a comprehensive analysis of essential crops, their specific requirements, and the acquisition of regional geographic and statistical information related to these critical crops.