The Globally Integrated Africa Soil Information Service (AfSIS) is a large-scale, research-based project to develop a practical, timely, and cost-effective soil health surveillance service to map soil conditions, set a baseline for monitoring changes, develop global standards and methodologies, and provide options for improved soil and land management in Africa.
The Africa Soil Information Service (AfSIS) is pioneering innovative methodologies, products, tools, and systems to improve the way that soils are evaluated, mapped, and monitored, making it one of the most innovative projects in field of soil science today. By using new technologies, AfSIS has increased the speed with which accurate and detailed soil information can be made accessible. These innovations will support high economic, social, and environmental returns on investments in agriculture that will improve the lives and livelihoods of farming communities in Africa.
One of AfSIS’s key objectives is developing a soil and landscape information system. AfSIS scientists use novel analysis methods to transform the data collected into products that will form the basis of the soil information service. AfSIS is providing services that will address key issues in Africa, such as agricultural productivity, sustainable use of natural resources, and hunger and poverty.
A key component of AfSIS is providing training and education to strengthen individual and institutional capacities to produce and use soil information. By providing training to a number of institutions across Africa in various tools and methodologies, AfSIS has already transformed much of its work into a public good. Moreover, by making data and products publicly accessible, AfSIS is informing the public of soil-related issues in certain areas.
Website: http://www.africasoils.net/
Data portal: http://www.africasoils.net/data/data-portal-home1
Interactive Map Tool: http://www.ciesin.columbia.edu/afsis/mapclient/