An estimated 20 regional experts participated in the SOILCARE Project Design Inception Workshop in Bridgetown, Barbados

The project proponents – FAO, UNCCD and Partnership Initiative on Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) will facilitate cooperation between developed and developing countries, particularly around knowledge and technology transfer for sustainable land management to meet Sustainable Development Goal to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).  The UNCCD defines LDN as a simple idea and a powerful tool. It means securing enough healthy and productive natural resources by avoiding degradation whenever possible and restoring land that has already been degraded.  At its core are better land management practices and better land use planning that will improve economic, social and ecological sustainability for present and future generations.

The SOILCARE project will enable the use of updated country and regional soil data and knowledge, including on soil carbon, which is lacking but essential, to design the national LDN strategy and informed soil policies as well as for the climate agenda in the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Thus, it will strengthen the countries abilities to prioritise actions to promote integrated landscape management and restore degraded lands.

The SOILCARE project will also demonstrate and disseminate climate smart agricultural practices that strengthen resilience against natural disasters and climate change. In addition, it will enhance land and water productivity and farmers’ livelihoods among in the participating countries, which have ratified the UNCCD, aimed at combating land degradation, desertification and drought processes that are exacerbated by human pressures on limited land resources and climate change. 

Ms Sally Bunning, FAO’s Senior Land and Water Officer in the region, highlighted the planned support to the Caribbean islands, firstly, in improving soil data and setting evidence-based targets for reducing degradation and restoring degraded lands, and secondly, in increasing resilience to climate change through scaling out adapted land management practices and systems in 11 or more priority landscapes. 

Dr Gaius Exodie, a leading soil expert and lecturer in Soil Science at the University of West Indies, noted that he would assist the Caribbean catch up with the rest of the LAC region with support of the FAO led Global and Regional Soil Partnerships in which he is an active partner. He recognised the collaboration between FAO and PISLM and was heartened to see the country and partner commitments at the workshop; and stated, “I am hopeful of the increased advocacy for soil management, which is equally important as the air we breathe”.

Mr Gianluca Gondolini, FAO’s GEF Project Task Manager for the Caribbean explained that a common threat in most of the participating countries is inappropriate and unsustainable land use and agricultural practices and weak application and monitoring of land management regulations in protected and productive landscapes. Common issues for the Caribbean are farming on marginal and unsuitable lands such as steep slopes and poor soils, clear felling of vegetation for agricultural use and harvesting of wood and other forest products in particular charcoal. 

Mr Gondolini also cited the threat of soil acidification and salinization caused by overuse of agricultural chemicals and inadequate use of rotations and soil and water management to cope with climate change especially high temperatures and intense and unreliable rainfall.  He added that data collection for project design will commence soon and that FAO stands ready to work with partners to improve soil data for informed decision making to promote sustainable land management and contribute to several Sustainable Development Goals”. He also mentioned that support from CARICOM will leverage the commitments on Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and LDN across the Caribbean region.

PISLM consultant, Ms Marissa Mohammed delivered a message on behalf of the Executive Director, Calvin James, thanking all participants for their participation in this important Caribbean initiative and recalling that, in October 2018, Ministers responsible for the UNCCD endorsed and validated the SOILCARE concept note. The intercountry collaboration demonstrated in this project development workshop in UN House Barbados, just 12 months on, is an important part of the project design.

The Barbados Youth and Environment Network also supported the workshop through encouraging the participation of local actors, and alongside the government, universities and other actors, will help meet  the UNCCD’s objectives to improve the living conditions for people in drylands, to maintain and restore land and soil productivity, and to mitigate the effects of drought.

The Caribbean SOILCARE project, a joint venture by PISLM and FAO, will create a conducive enabling environment and support countries to establish, implement monitor and report on progress towards LDN targets. According to Ms Bunning, this means practicing sustainable land management and restoring degraded lands in specified land areas and time period so as to maintain or increase the amount and quality of land resources, sustain ecosystem functions and services and enhance food security.