Publications
.jpeg?sfvrsn=8f30cbbb_1 "Global Symposium on Soil Information and Data (GSID24)")
Global Symposium on Soil Information and Data (GSID24) - Measure, monitor, manage, 25–28 September 2024, Nanjing, China - outcome document
23/07/2025
The Global Symposium on Soil Information and Data GSID24, co-organized by FAO's Global Soil Partnership (GSP) and the Institute of Soil Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ISSCAS), marked a milestone as the first such event held outside FAO headquarters.
A course on applied data analytics for soil analysis with infrared spectroscopy - Soil spectroscopy training manual 2
10/06/2025
This document provides a comprehensive guide to the process of soil spectroscopic modelling, from data acquisition to interpretation, with a focus on using R for analytical modelling. It covers the entire workflow involved in generating reliable predictions of soil properties from spectral data, including data preprocessing, exploratory analysis, calibration, model training, and validation.
Soil Mapping for Resilient Agrifood Systems (SoilFER)
18/06/2024
In Central America and sub-Saharan Africa, the Soil Mapping for Resilient Agrifood Systems (SoilFER) project stands out as a unique framework aimed at unearthing valuable information from soils to guide policymaking and fertilizer recommendations both at national and field scale.
-and-mid-infrared-(mir)-spectroscopy.jpeg?sfvrsn=e8fe1501_1 "A primer on soil analysis using visible and near-infrared (vis-NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy")
A primer on soil analysis using visible and near-infrared (vis-NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy Soil spectroscopy training manual 1
14/06/2022
“A primer on soil analysis using visible and near-infrared (vis-NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy” is the first training material on the topic of soil spectroscopy for beginner levels, by the Global Soil Laboratory Network Initiative on Soil Spectroscopy (GLOSOLAN-Spec) of the Global Soil Partnership, FAO.
Spectroscopy: towards eco and human friendly soil analysis
21/10/2021
A study conducted by the FAO Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) showed that most standard chemical analyses have medium or high risks to human health, can contribute to environmental pollution and are often costly, requiring a range of different equipment and chemicals.
Soil testing methods manual - Doctors Global Programme – A farmer-to-farmer training programme
16/09/2020
The Soil Doctors programme is developed under the umbrella of the Global Soil Partnership and promotes the establishment of a farmer-to-farmer training system. The Soil Doctors Global Programme aims to build the capacity of smallholder farmers on the practice of sustainable soil management and, by doing so, support governmental agencies and organizations working on agricultural extension at the field level (promoting broader impact and a reduction of costs).
Protocol for the assessment of Sustainable Soil Management
22/07/2020
The Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS) and the Secretariat of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) have identified the need to develop a protocol to assess if a given soil management practice is in line with sustainable soil management, as defined in the Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management (FAO-ITPS, 2015).
Manual for the implementation of the Soil Doctors Global Programme at the country level - A farmer-to-farmer training programme
14/04/2020
The Global Soil Partnership (GSP) was established in 2012 as a mechanism to develop a strong interactive partnership, and, enhanced collaboration and synergy of efforts between all stakeholders involved with soils.
The international Code of Conduct for the sustainable use and management of fertilizers
12/06/2019
The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers or Fertilizer Code was developed to increase food safety and the safe use of fertilizers. The Fertilizer Code aims to address issues of global importance, thereby contributing to the implementation of some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).
Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management
04/10/2017
The Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management (VGSSM) were adopted by the 4th GSP Plenary Assembly (Rome, 25 May 2016), approved by the 25th session of the FAO Committee on Agriculture (Rome, 28 September 2016) and finally endorsed by the 155th session of the FAO Council (Rome, 5 December 2016).
Status of the World's Soil Resources: Main Report
17/08/2015
The SWSR is a reference document on the status of global soil resources that provides regional assessments of soil change. The information is based on peer-reviewed scientific literature, complemented with expert knowledge and project outputs. It provides a description and a ranking of ten major soil threats that endanger ecosystem functions, goods and services globally and in each region separately.
Revised World Soil Charter
25/06/2015
The first World Soil Charter (WSC) was conceived and formulated, negotiated and adopted by the FAO member countries in the 1981 FAO Conference. It was a major normative instrument agreed by member states, and that the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) was duty-bound to promote its principles.