Global Soil Partnership

Farmers at the forefront: Global workshop in Thailand highlights the nexus soil health - nutritious food

PHOTOGALLERY | VIDEO

Bangkok, Thailand – 5 December 2024. Farmers, scientists and officials from Burkina Faso, Colombia, Mexico and Thailand convened in Thailand for a global workshop on “Enhancing Capacities for Soil Health Development and Nutritious Food Production (S4N)”. Organized by FAO and its Global Soil Partnership with support from Federal German Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the event took place as part of the World Soil Day celebration and was later presented as a side event at the International Soil and Water Forum (ISWF) in Thailand from 9 to 11 December.

14/02/2025

The participatory workshop fostered collaboration between national promoters of the Global Soil Doctors Programme (GSDP), focusing on sharing experiences that highlighted the direct link between healthy soils and nutritious food production. Key discussions emphasized the importance of soil organic matter, agrobiodiversity and sustainable practices. Delegates highlighted challenges, including gaps in research, data availability and the need for practical continuous support to farmers, underlining the critical role of institutional collaboration in promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

One of the highlights of the event was field visits to the Pak Chong District, where participants observed Thailand's advanced soil management techniques, from erosion control to biofertilizer use, promoted by Thailand’s Volunteer Soil Doctors Programme. This 30-year legacy, backed by Thailand's Land Development Department has empowered farmers as stewards of soil health equipping them with knowledge and tools.

Delegates from the countries involved in the project also participated in different ISWF sessions, as the event was held in support of the UN Decade for Soil Health, highlighting farmer-driven solutions for sustainable food systems. The participation of farmers in this event underscored the central role of farmers in soil protection at the global level, acknowledging their deeply rooted knowledge and local traditions and practices.

The events concluded with the formulation of practical strategies to improve global awareness of soil health, foster peer-to-peer learning and refine S4N approaches, reaffirming the fundamental connection between healthy soils and nutritious food.