From 24 to 27 February 2025, FAO technical experts carried out a mission to Maputo, Mozambique, to advance the implementation of SoilFER project, a key initiative for improving soil fertility and agricultural productivity. This project financed by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscores Japan and FAO commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural development in Mozambique. The mission's objectives included assessing Mozambique’s soil data management, laboratories, and fertilizer regulation frameworks while identifying key institutional needs and investment priorities.

The tenth session of the International Network of Soil Information Institutions (INSII) meeting took place from 15 to 17 January 2025, at FAO headquarters in Rome, bringing together 117 participants in person and online to discuss the importance of soil data. Additionally, seven invited talks featured experts discussing topics ranging from how to improve soil information systems and map global soil erosion, to tools like LandPKS for field data collection, and international efforts on soil terminology, monitoring, and policy.

A newly published scientific perspective paper confirms that soil spectroscopy is ready to be deployed for generating high-quality soil information. The paper, authored by over 20 leading scientists from 15 countries, highlights how this innovative technology can transform soil monitoring and sustainable soil management worldwide. 

Dear Colleagues, Partners, and Soil Advocates,

It is an honour to introduce myself as the Secretary of the Global Soil Partnership and to join this dedicated community committed to sustainably using and protecting one of our most vital natural resources - soil.

The second phase of the Soils for Nutrition (S4N) Project, supported by the German government, organized a kick off meeting on 3 February 2025, marking a pivotal step in the global effort to enhance soil health and promote the production of nutritious food.