The Global Soil Partnership strengthens its collaboration with the Pacific Soil Partnership
Declining productivity of the Pacific:
Agriculture (including fisheries, marine products, forestry and primary forestry products) is the backbone of Pacific Island economies and a significant contributor to livelihoods. Roughly 50 to 70 percent of Pacific people depend on agriculture, fisheries or associated activities for their livelihoods (FAO, 2023). Agriculture production, however, has been steadily declining across the region for decades, affected by production inefficiencies, a general lack of investment from private and public sectors, the loss of productive labour to urban centres, and the emergence of other industries (FAO, 2023). Furthermore, unsustainable forest and land management practices, soil erosion, soil acidity and nutrient leaching have contributed to declining soil fertility. For instance, regions in Fiji used for sugar cane cultivation are grappling with nutrient imbalances and potential risks of soil pollution due to the proximity of mining to agricultural soils and increased use of agricultural inputs from synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, severely impacting productivity.
These challenges are compounded by a lack of reliable, up to date soil baseline data, the lack of training provided to soil laboratory technicians, and the limited capacity to assess soil health accurately. Soil degradation is worsened by climate change, population pressures, and unsustainable farming practices. It requires an integrated response that addresses immediate risks and soil resources’ long term sustainability. Current erosion rates of around 50 tonnes per hectare annually in countries like Fiji and Samoa highlight the urgency of action (FAO and ITPS, 2015).
Collaborative actions for sustainable soil management (SSM) in the Pacific
Established in 2014, the Pacific Soil Partnership, whose Secretariat is currently hosted by the Pacific Community (SPC) Land and Resources Division, aligns with the GSP Action Framework 2022-2030. This partnership, involving 22 countries, fosters collaboration among governments, universities, research institutions, the SPC, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to promote sustainable soil management (SSM) through research, education, strengthening soil governance, and knowledge sharing initiatives. Despite the ongoing collaboration between PSP and the Global Soil Partnership (GSP), stakeholder engagement and participation in global activities remains low.
To address these challenges, the GSP Secretariat staff conducted a mission to Fiji and Samoa, engaging key stakeholders with the support of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAORAP), FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (FAOSAP), and the Ministries of Agriculture of Fiji and Samoa.
The GSP conducted roundtable discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways of Fiji, the Fiji National University (FNU), the University of the South Pacific (Suva and Samoa Campuses), the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF), the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and with the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS).
Actions and way forward
After a successful six day mission, the GSP Secretariat and FAOSAP have agreed to work together on creating a soil health baseline assessment for Fiji and Samoa, support the region in providing tailored training for soil laboratories, and seek additional donors to enhance agrifood systems in the Pacific. This partnership is intended to promote efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, leading to better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all, leaving no one behind. Additionally, the GSP will assist the region by:
- conducting training on standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the proper use of laboratory equipment through collaboration with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR);
- engaging representatives from the Pacific region in upcoming events, including the International Soil and Water Forum, the 13th GSP Plenary Assembly, and annual meetings of GSP technical networks;
- Increase stakeholder engagement in GSP technical networks participation to build and strengthen knowledge exchange with other regions.
- launching the Global Soil Doctors Programme to train farmers, with a special emphasis on empowering Indigenous Peoples and women in sugar cane farming; and
- helping the region to assess their soil related legal tools, including the Fiji Pesticide Act (1971) and other pertinent soil legislation.
Figure 1. The GSP and MAF colleagues with the mobile soil testing laboratory