Iran has officially joined the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Global Soil Partnership (GSP) and has begun collaborating on the Soil Doctors program, according to Safdar Niazi Shahraki, Deputy Minister of Water and Soil for the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

This marks a significant step towards strengthening Iran's international cooperation in the field of soil management and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The GSP is a global initiative aimed at improving soil health and addressing soil-related challenges worldwide.

 

Soil Doctors: Empowering Farmers with Soil Management Knowledge

 

The Soil Doctors program is a key component of the GSP's Awareness Raising subprogram, launched in 2020. It aims to empower farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills to implement sustainable soil management practices.

 

"This project seeks to organize and disseminate technical knowledge and skills that farmers need through a scientific platform and the use of standard educational tools and methods," explained Niazi.

 

The program utilizes a network of soil experts, national and regional facilitators, and a community of leading farmers to effectively convey sustainable soil management principles to farmers in a simple and accessible manner.

 

Iran's Active Engagement in GSP

 

Iran's participation in the Soil Doctors program is part of its broader commitment to the GSP. The country has already been actively involved in several GSP subprograms, including World Soil Day (WSD), the Global Network of Soil Laboratories (GLOSOLAN), and the International Network of Salt-Affected Soils (INSAS).

 

"Iran is planning to expand its involvement in other technical subprograms, such as soil biodiversity, fertility and fertilizer analysis, organic matter, and soil pollution," stated Niazi.

 

The initial phase of the Soil Doctors program will be implemented in selected provinces in collaboration with the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture, the Research Institute of Soil and Water, and the GSP.

 

Iran's participation in the GSP and the Soil Doctors program demonstrates its commitment to sustainable soil management and its recognition of the crucial role of healthy soils in ensuring food security and environmental protection.