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.

Training on Sustainable Soil Management and Land Restoration

Program Date

Program Location

Program Venue

Registration Closing Date

Program Overview

Target Audience

Program Objectives

Program Contents

Program Methodology

Host Country Profile

Program Fee GBP2570

Payment Options

Fee Covers

Visa Assistance (Complimentary)

Participant Assessment

Airport Pickup

Accommodation

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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

Registration Information

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Program Fee
GBP2570