Help to identify soil capacity gaps by taking part in this unique survey on soil knowledge and soil extension in Australia.
Farmers, advisors and the wider agricultural industry are encouraged to take the survey project that aims to understand the current gaps in soil: knowledge, management, adoption, and extension practices.
Soil is vital to life on earth and provides essential ecosystem services that support and contribute to Australia’s economic, environmental, and social wellbeing, including food and fibre production, water storage and filtration, and nutrient cycling and carbon storage.
Australia has ancient soils that are suffering from major issues including degradation of soil structure, poor water infiltration and soil water holding properties, declining soil fertility and biological activity, increasing soil chemical toxicity, and the need to de-carbonise agricultural production.
Soil type, usage, and challenges are highly variable, so management of this national asset requires practical, place-based, planning and understanding of the issues and gaps, and application of solutions.
A survey has been developed to provide evidence-based information on the gaps and priorities for soil knowledge creation and extension from a range of stakeholders.
This information will form an important component for developing the conclusions made in a Soil Capacity Gap Analysis for DAFF and the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs.
Learn more and complete the survey here.
For more about the National Soils Strategy, visit https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/natural-resources/soils
The development of this survey was supervised by Dr Peter Fisher. Victoria Soil Coordinator, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science. Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub for the use of the Regional Soils Coordinators, who sit within the Future Drought Fund Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs.
Fisher, P., Leckie, C., & Clausen, J. (2023) Farmer & Ag-Industry survey of knowledge & extension gaps and opportunities for managing Australian soils