Better soil data, better agriculture

Better soil data leads to better agriculture. With this objective, the Government of Mozambique, through the Mozambique Agricultural Research Institute (IIAM), launched the Mozambique Soil Laboratory Network (MOSOLAN).

The network was officially launched on 6 March 2026 during a national workshop for training technicians on soil laboratory Standard Operation Procedures (SoP) wet chemistry, equipment handling, QA/QC, and interpretation of laboratory results, organized with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the SoilFER project. Funded by the Government of Japan, the initiative supports the establishment of National Soil Information Systems, strengthens laboratory capacity for soil analysis and develops high-resolution soil and land-use mapping to improve sustainable soil management. 

The event brought together soil scientists, laboratory technicians, universities, government institutions and representatives of national laboratories to discuss collaboration and the next steps for operationalizing the network. 

Strengthening soil laboratories nationwide 

Healthy soils are the foundation of sustainable agriculture and resilient agrifood systems. However, effective soil management depends on reliable and consistent soil information. 

NASOLAN aims to strengthen collaboration among soil laboratories across Mozambique, enabling institutions to exchange expertise, harmonize laboratory procedures and address common technical challenges in soil analysis. 

The network will also promote the adoption of SoPs developed by the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) and other methodologies recommended by FAO. 

Supporting better agricultural decisions 

Reliable soil data helps farmers, researchers, and policymakers better understand soil health and nutrient deficiencies. 

By strengthening national laboratory capacity and improving coordination among soil laboratories, MOSOLAN will support improved soil fertility management and more sustainable agricultural practices across Mozambique. 

Through this initiative, the Government of Mozambique and FAO continue to strengthen national capacity to generate reliable soil data — supporting better agricultural planning and more resilient agrifood systems.