Training on Sustainable Soil Management and Land Restoration

Program Date

6 May 10 May 2024

Program Location

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Program Venue

Yoho Colombo City Hotel

Registration Closing Date

31 Mar 2024

Program Overview

Soil is a critical natural resource that anchors all life. It is a foundation of agriculture and a primary medium for growing crops. Soil is fundamental for food production, nutrient cycling, water filtration, biodiversity support, and carbon sequestration. In addition, it provides a habitat for countless organisms vital to our ecosystems. Sustainable soil management (SSM) refers to a set of practices that aim to protect and improve soil health. Moreover, these techniques can simultaneously minimize adverse environmental impacts.

There are diverse issues that can arise with inadequate soil management. Challenges can be manifold, from poor nutrition to chemical imbalance, structural issues, and lack of microbial life. Sustainable soil management is the basis for the long-term resilience of our food systems.

This training program shall help you understand the fundamental properties and characteristics of soil systems. It has been structured to develop critical skills and competencies essential to creating an enabling environment for SSM. Throughout the process, you will learn how sustainable soil management can impact food and energy production, affect water quality, support biodiversity conservation, and mitigate climate change.


Target Audience

This program is the best-fit for:

  • Local and national policymakers
  • Land and water management professionals
  • Agronomists
  • Extension Agents
  • Farmers and other land users
  • Sectoral specialists
  • Development workers
  • Entrepreneurs in agriculture

Program Objectives

Upon the successful completion of this training program, the delegates shall be able to:

  • Understand how unsustainable land management impacts soil, land, and agricultural productivity
  • Learn how to employ soil health improvement strategies in practice
  • Plan for sustainable water management and adopt various conservation strategies
  • Match climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies related to SSM
  • Support policies and practices aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and output

Program Contents

First Day

  • Understanding sustainable soil and land management; Land restoration
  • The impact of unsustainable practices on soil and land
  • Soil composition and structure
  • Soil organic matter and nutrient cycling
  • Evaluating soil health
  • Practices for soil health improvement (Organic matter management, cover cropping, nutrient management, crop rotation, and diversification)

Second Day

  • Soil erosion – causes and consequences
  • Soil erosion control measures (conservation tillage, contour plowing, terracing, windbreaks, and buffer strips)
  • Water management and sustainable agriculture
  • Sustainable irrigation techniques and other water conservation practices
  • Water runoff and drainage
  • Water pollution prevention from agricultural activities

Third Day

  • Integrated pest management
  • Soil biodiversity and pest management
  • Employing integrated pest management in agrosystems
  • Planning for sustainable land use
  • Agricultural production vs. land conservation
  • Land zoning and use optimization

Fourth Day

  • Climate change, soil, and land resources
  • Mitigation and adaptation strategies
  • Carbon sequestration
  • Evaluating the Performance of sustainable land management practices
  • Overcoming the Barriers to Implementation

Fifth Day – Full day field visit and practical exposure

The last day of the program will be dedicated to field visits and exposure tours. The two will focus on the development of delegates’ practical skills. During the day, training participants will visit several agricultural sites employing sustainable soil and land management practices and observe the real-time application of the material discussed. In addition, they will have a chance to engage in valuable discussions around SSM with practitioners, farmers, and land managers.


Program Methodology

Sustainable Soil Management and Land Restoration Training in Sri Lanka focuses on developing practical skills and knowledge of sustainable soil and land management practices. The presentation, exercises, simulations, case studies, and discussion questions are explicitly tailored to professionals working on soil health enhancement.

Proven adult-learning methodology and principles guide the entire process intending to maximize the effectiveness of the delivery and create a long-lasting impact. Practical exposure and focused discussions target the development of real-life capabilities essential to driving a broader transition to SSM practices.


Host Country Profile

Sri Lanka employs about a third of its population in agriculture, with agricultural land use taking up approximately 42% of the country’s total land area (as per FAO). Yet, the industry contributes slightly over 8% to the entire GDP.

Land degradation is among the list of critical environmental challenges in Sri Lanka and occurs in all forty-eight agroecological regions at different intensities. It is a significant contributor to declining productivity and farm incomes. Soil and water conservation and land productivity improvement are important policy priorities for Sri Lanka under various national and sectoral development strategies.

Program Fee
GBP2570

Payment Options

Fee Covers

  • Visa Assistance (Complimentary)

  • Participant Assessment

  • Airport Pickup

  • Accommodation

  • Wi-Fi

  • Welcome Dinner

  • Breakfast

  • Workshop Kit

  • Program Materials

  • Program Experts

  • Practical Activities

  • Lunch

  • Refreshments

  • Interactive workshop

  • City Map & Direction

  • Risalat T-shirt

  • Field Visit

  • Program Certificate

  • Entertaining Tour

  • Program Report

error: Alert: Content is protected !!