Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management (VGSSM)
VGSSM were developed through an inclusive process within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP). They aim is to be a reference providing general technical and policy recommendations on sustainable soil management (SSM) for a wide range of committed stakeholders.
The SSM contributes to addressing global challenges, including the commitment to combat desertification and mitigate effects of drought, especially the goal to achieve a land degradation neutral world.
In dryland cropping systems, VGSSM recommends the implementation of measures to optimize water-use efficiency such as the management of soil cover and water harvesting to increase soil water availability at sowing; reduction of runoff and evaporative losses from the soil surface; and ensuring that there is adequate water available at each stage of crop development.