The initiative was presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Maynor Estrada and Rafael Zavala, FAO Representative in Guatemala, who were accompanied by representatives of the United States government.

Minister Estrada emphasized that "this project will help farmers improve their crops because they will know the quality of the soil, how to preserve and nourish it. This will improve their food security and increase the resilience of the soil to drought.”

Rafael Zavala, FAO Representative in Guatemala emphasized that "it is crucial for Food and Nutritional Security and poverty reduction to have fertile and healthy soils, as they are the vital source for farmers to produce 95% of the food that reaches our tables".

This project will contribute to national efforts through a detailed mapping of soil knowledge, management and conservation, allowing the government and stakeholders to make strategic decisions at the national level on policies, investments and incentives to increase soil productivity in the country, added Zavala.

In their remarks, United States representatives acknowledged the long history of cooperation between the U.S. government and FAO. They also highlighted the continued commitment of the United States to support sustainable development in Guatemala, for the benefit of local communities as well as the region, with programs such as SoilFER.

In response to the current food and fertilizer crisis, the SoilFER project is a comprehensive initiative aimed at providing short-term solutions and strengthening the resilience of soils to the impacts of climate change by restoring their natural fertility. With a national and institutional operational coverage, this project aims to achieve three key results:

1. Establishment of national soil information and monitoring systems: the aim is to implement efficient systems for collecting data and information on soil, allowing for sustainable management.
2.  Creation of a decision support system to promote soil fertility and health: through the constant updating of soil information and data, a comprehensive set of tools and platforms will be developed for both farmers and government authorities. In addition, the government's technical capacities for better soil management will be strengthened.
3. Adoption and expansion of sustainable soil management: through a training program for farmers, the adoption of more sustainable agricultural practices will be promoted at the national level.

In addition, the Global Soil Doctors Program will be implemented, where experts will provide advice and fertilization recommendations to farmers. In addition, the project is aligned with the Hand in Hand Initiative, as it will provide relevant and updated information through the National Information and Monitoring System. This will strengthen the analysis of territorial typologies to prioritize public and private investment.

It is critical to emphasize that soil nutrient data and recommendations for fertilizer and soil health practices play a crucial role in agricultural decision-making. These measures not only ensure crop productivity, but also promote health, nutrition and food security, while contributing to climate change adaptation, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and prevention of soil degradation.