SoilDoc: Empowering Extension Workers and Youth to make Innovative Soil Recommendations in Africa

DESCRIPTION: A three-pronged approach to empowering African extension workers: 1) an innovative tool -- Lab-in-a-Box -- to diagnose soil constraints in the field, transmit the information electronically, and receive quality recommendations back from specialists in near real-time; 2) diagnostic and nutrient response trials needed to validate the tool and link it with Digital Soils Central of the country, and 3) massive training of agricultural extension workers. This work will be conducted in Nigeria together with the Ministry of Agriculture.

OUTCOMES: We are developing a new, very practical “lab in the box” to enable extension workers to make on the spot diagnoses of soil constraints, allowing targeted recommendations to advise farmers in real time. Developing this system will begin to overcome one of the major constraints currently faced in Africa that impedes the practical use of soils information. Crop yields will increase, decreasing hunger, improving nutrition, and improving soil health.