National toolbox for soil health assessment

The consulting project will create a national toolbox for soil managers to independently assess soil conditions. It contains the most effective and practicable tests and indicators in the context of Swiss agriculture for checking the most important soil threats and the long-term yield capacity of soils. These tests and indicators are optimally harmonised. The toolbox also contains a methodology for systematic application over a longer period of time.

The project is being carried out by a consortium of the main Swiss institutions involved in research and extension in agricultural soil management. In addition to FiBL, Agroscope, HAFL, HEPIA, KOBO, the Swiss Advisory Forum BFS and AGRIDEA are involved. The development of the toolbox is based on a co-creative synthesis process of ongoing and completed projects on the topic as well as concepts and trends from the international context. In particular, the latest developments in the field of soil mapping will be included.

A beta version will be co-creatively tested and further developed with land managers as part of an operational network. The members of the consortium are using the toolbox to develop a national consensus and standard. This will optimise its implementation and dissemination. The toolbox will be extensively documented and communicated. It also provides the technical basis for any future implementation of an FMIS (Farm Management Information System) tool and link to digiFLux.