Strengthening Soil Information Systems on national, regional, and continental level

Sustainable land management depends on access to reliable, high-resolution soil information. National institutions are best positioned to provide this data, as they hold local expertise, access to legacy datasets, and have a deep understanding of user needs. ISRIC supports national institutions in their efforts to develop soil information and establish or strengthen national Soil Information Systems (SIS). The SIS Framework is an essential tool to assist in the design and building of a context-specific SIS that addresses local needs and considers the environment it operates in. The Soil Information Workflow shows sequential steps that need to be taken to develop a SIS.

In addition to national efforts, ISRIC contributes to the development of SIS at regional and continental levels. These systems are ideally built on the foundation of national databases and aligned to international standards. While current efforts focus on Africa, ISRIC aims to expand support across the Global South in partnership with regional networks.

To support the development of SIS, we provide tools (Soil Information Resource Library), training (ISRIC Academy), and networking and knowledge sharing (Community of Practice for Soil Information Providers).

The Community of Practice (CoP) for Soil Information Providers in Africa provides a platform for professionals and researchers to exchange insights, discuss challenges, and contribute to the collective understanding of soil. The CoPfosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity development. It brings together experts and institutions to build trust across networks, and support peer to peer learning in the field of soil information (system) development. Learn more and join the CoP.

The open access Soil Information Resource Library provides a range of practical tools and guidance for each component of the Soil Information Workflow, from data collection to organisation and dissemination. These tools are developed in collaboration with partners and refined through user feedback to ensure their relevance and usability. Access the Library.

The ISRIC Academy platform offers structured training courses, developed by ISRIC or partners.