FAO and its Global Soil Partnership are at the forefront of this effort, working alongside a global network of experts to accelerate the adoption of soil spectroscopy. By providing a cost-effective, rapid, and scalable method for soil analysis, spectroscopy offers a viable solution to complement conventional techniques and improve soil data availability at multiple scales. Additionally, soil spectroscopy holds great potential for direct field measurements, allowing real-time soil analysis and making soil information generation even more efficient. 

Despite its vast potential, widespread implementation requires collective efforts from governments, research institutions, and stakeholders. The paper calls for global action to integrate soil spectroscopy into national and international soil monitoring systems, ensuring its benefits reach all regions, particularly those with limited resources. 

In response, FAO and its partners are already takingthe lead, driving this transition from research to large-scale implementation. Through the Global Soil Laboratory Network’s spectroscopy initiative (GLOSOLAN-Spec), FAO is fostering international collaboration, standardization, and capacity-building efforts to support widespread adoption. 

With momentum growing, experts believe this marks a turning point, shifting soil spectroscopy from a research tool to a practical solution for policymakers, farmers, and scientists alike. With the right investments and strategic partnerships, this technology will shape the next generation of soil information systems, supporting global food security, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability. 

For more details, read the full article here: Spectroscopic solutions for generating new global soil information.