Working for sustainable soils worldwide

At a side event for the Soils4Nutrition project as part of the general assembly of the Global Soil Partnership from the third to the fifth June, Dr. Nicole Wellbrock from the Thünen Institute of Forest Ecosystems contributed expertise.

Soils4Nutrition is funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). The project was initiated to support farmers in member countries such as Colombia, Mexico and Burkina Faso in applying sustainable soil management methods. The aim is to improve the nutritional quality of locally produced food in order to counteract people's micronutrient deficiencies.

The Soils4Nutrition project represents an important step towards tackling the complex challenges facing our food systems. There is also a collaboration with the Food Systems Integrated Program of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). By pooling knowledge and resources, there is an opportunity to promote sustainable agricultural practices and improve the nutritional situation.

The Global Soil Partnership was launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome on 7 September 2011. Its aim is to implement the provisions of the 1982 World Soil Charter and motivate decision-makers to act. Members meet in Rome every year for a plenary session - in 2023 the event brought together 175 delegates, 120 GSP partners and soil stakeholders, and 412 online participants.