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2004 September 2001 SOIL FERTILITY KIT (Review) - A Toolkit for Acid, Upland Soil Fertiliity Management in Southeast Asia - (by T. Dierolf, T. Fairhurst and E. Mutert, 2001). The Potash and Phosphate Institute's (PPI) mission is to develop and promote scientific information that is agronomically sound, economically advantageous and environmentally responsible in advancing the worldwide use of phosphorous and potassium in crop production systems. The soil fertility kit provides extension workers with appropriate methods for soil fertility management. This, inadvertently, helps the resource poor farmers in S.E.A. alleviate and improve their life-styles. The Kit begins by providing an introductory message on acid upland soil farming environment in S.E.A. In Part 1, some questionnaires to improve soil fertility management with some explanatory notes are provided. This section would be particularly useful to extension scientists as well as for academicians who may be interested to pursue related research topics within the broad area of soil fertility management. Part 2, on the other hand, provides some interesting discussions on the theory of fertility management. This would be quite useful as a supplementary reading material for undergraduate or even some graduate-level courses. The authors have raised some interesting academic points under the sections of integrated nutrient management: making practical decisions and indirect management effects on soil fertility. These issues may be worthwhile being pursued as short-, intermediate- or even long-term research plans. Part 3 focuses on information for the "Man-in-the-Field", but, again, this is also useful for academicians and research students. There are some impressive tables in this section, the contents of which are strongly linked with tropical agronomy. Understandably, the information contained within the Kit is deemed correct at press time as is evidenced by the Limits of Liability statement. In this new century where a lot of emphasis being placed on information-sharing rather than otherwise, the authors of Soil Fertility Kit deserve due credit for their excellent work. The Kit is available at an affordable price. To order, contact Doris Tan . |
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2004 WOCAT (World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies) - Knowledge for sustainable soil and wateer management - The majority of people in developing countries are directly dependent on land resources. Therefore, maintaining or enhancing the quality of these resources improves rural livelihood, alleviates poverty and finally promotes sustainable development. WOCAT was established as a global network of soil and water conservation (SWC) specialists to facilitate more efficient use of existing technologies and development funds. WOCAT attempts to enhance the utilization of resources while promoting sustainable land management (SLM). WOCAT has stated that in many parts of both industrialized and developing countries, soils are not managed in a sustainable manner. WOCAT also contributes to the implementation of United Nations Conventions, such as the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD), the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) and the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD). WOCAT uses global knowledge for local improvements. It offers contacts and opportunities to share experience around the globe. It provides SWC technologies and approaches from their own and other regions. Additionally, it offers contacts to other soil and water specialists. However, WOCAT has stated that SLM practices are complicated and are yet to be documented. It also recognizes the challenge to optimize exchange of knowledge between land users and SWC specialists. Therefore, WOCAT has come up with a set of tools to document, monitor and evaluate SWC knowledge and to disseminate it around the globe. Three comprehensive questionnaires and a database system have been developed to document all relevant aspects of SWC technologies and approaches. WOCAT states that these tools have been tested in many workshops world-wide. WOCAT states that it provides all methodological tools and guidelines to national and regional institutions to carry out their own initiatives according to their needs. The WOCAT network is open to all individuals and organizations with a mandate or an interest in SWC. Anyone can be associated with WOCAT and join the WOCAT network. The WOCAT knowledge base is a public domain - everyone is invited to share and use it. Make better use of existing knowledge and resources for a better future. Join the global WOCAT initiative and set up your own program within the WOCAT network. For further information: Website or E-Mail WOCAT |