Strides made towards soil recarbonization for land restoration through sustainable soil management in Armenia
As droughts in Armenia escalate in intensity and duration, the country’s soils become increasingly vulnerable to erosion and degradation. In response, farmers, soil scientists, and government representatives are working together to adopt sustainable soil management (SSM) practices that promote climate change adaptation and mitigation. To advance these efforts, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation's (FAO), through its Global Soil Partnership, is implementing a pilot project of the Recarbonization of Agricultural Soils (RECSOIL) initiative. In collaboration with FAO Armenia and the Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU), the project aims to restore soil health, promote soil recarbonization to address land degradation and build more resilient agrifood systems.
Preparing for the baseline assessment
From 16-20 June, a series of technical workshops and field training sessions were held to prepare technicians and farmers to gather and use soil data for the selection of site-specific SSM practices and to monitor their impact for years to come.
The week began on 16 June with a training for four technicians from ANAU (2 men and 2 women) who will be responsible for designing and implementing the monitoring plan for the assessment of soil organic carbon and other parameters throughout the project. During the session, technicians aligned on the most relevant additional indicators, including soil texture, cation exchange capacity, bases, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, to include in soil analysis of the project area.
On 17 June, a field day was held to harmonize sampling and data collection methods, including the piloting of the RECSOIL application for streamlined collection of farm management data, which will be used to estimate on-farm greenhouse gas emissions. As a result of these trainings, the monitoring plan for evaluating the increase of soil carbon stocks and the impact of SSM on soil indicators through project activities was finalized.
Farmers at the forefront
From 18 to 20 June, farmers in the Syunik and Gegharkunik regions were engaged through hands-on training sessions, where local technicians and leading farmers were selected to train other farmers in the region.
In the Syunik region, all 20 participating farmers (18 men and 2 women) gathered to take part in an introductory workshop, while six leading farmers (5 men and 1 woman) were trained on soil degradation processes. They also reviewed and gave feedback on the educational materials based on the real challenges they faced in the field. Additionally, technicians led farmers in conducting a visual soil assessment, which will be used throughout the project to monitor the impact of SSM practices on selected soil properties.
In Gegharkunik, 12 farmers (10 men and 2 women) participated in a similar training programme, beginning with a project overview and continuing with practical training in soil evaluation and sustainable management techniques. The farmers trained in soil evaluation and management will then train other farmers in the region according to these methods.
This peer-to-peer approach ensures that knowledge is not only disseminated widely but also adapted to local conditions and practices. By empowering local champions, the initiative fosters community ownership and long-term sustainability.
What's next
The workshops established the foundation for effective implementation of the RECSOIL pilot in Armenia. The technicians will proceed to collect the necessary data for the selection and implementation of SSM, while farmers are empowered with the tools to apply and promote sustainable practices that will protect and revitalize their soils for years to come.