Experts sharpen soil sampling skills for national digital soil health map

MOROGORO: EXPERTS collecting soil samples across the country convened for a workshop aimed at strengthening best sampling practices to support the development of a digital Soil Health Map that will guide sustainable land management and enhance agricultural productivity.

The workshop was held on Tuesday this week in Morogoro and brought together experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), the Cereals and Other Produce Board (CPB), the Cotton Board, the National Sugar Institute, agricultural colleges (MATIs), agricultural officers, specialists from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), as well as graduates from various institutions nationwide.

Addressing participants, Director of the Department of Agricultural Land Use Planning and Management (DLUP) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Eng Juma Mdeke, urged them to build strong and effective teams founded on good communication, close working relationships, mutual trust and openness to giving and receiving feedback.

“It is important to ensure that communication within teams continues to improve, as this directly facilitates performance. Where communication between individuals is weak, work inevitably stalls,” said Eng Mdeke.

He added that communication is best received within the context of good relationships, noting that without such relationships, messages may be misunderstood or interpreted differently from what was intended.

ALSO READ: Dodoma steps up tree planting to boost environmental sustainability

Eng Mdeke further emphasised the importance of trust-building, conflict resolution, accountability and a clear focus on achieving set goals, stressing that teamwork goes beyond working together to trusting one another.

Meanwhile, Chief Agricultural Officer and Liaison Officer for the Tanzania Food Systems Resilience Programme (TFSRP), Mr Ntirankiza Misibo, said the exercise will facilitate the production of a digital soil health map that provides accurate information on soil types, crop suitability, appropriate fertiliser use and correct application of agricultural tools.

He said the availability of the map will enable decision-makers and policymakers to develop well-informed plans for the agricultural sector based on reliable and comprehensive soil data.

“This exercise will simplify the development of a digital soil health map, enabling farmers to increase productivity using fundamental data on which crops to grow, which fertilisers to apply and which agricultural tools to use. Policymakers will also be able to plan agricultural strategies and allocate resources more effectively,” Mr Misibo said.

The initiative is being implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture’s strategies through the TFSRP.

So far, 13 regions: Ruvuma, Arusha, Manyara, Kilimanjaro, Dodoma, Singida, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Mwanza, Geita, Mara, Kigoma and Kagera have been covered.

Experts are currently continuing soil sample collection in Tabora, Morogoro, Tanga, Pwani, Lindi and Mtwara regions. Participants have also received additional training on proper soil sampling techniques, base maps and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).