2.3.4

Principle 2: Sustainable use of biodiversity

Criteria Guidance Evidence & Scoring Importance & Applicability
Criteria 2.3: 2.3


2.3.4

Information on soil structure, fertility and nutrient contents, stability, moisture and drainage conditions in cultivation sites is gathered



 Soil components that can be affected by cultivation practices (e.g. (heavy)mechanical soil management, monoculture, intensive farming, but also simply farming as it uses soil components) include:
  • structure
  • stability
  • fertility
  • organic matter and other nutrients contents
  • biological components
  • moisture
  • drainage conditions and similar components. Analysis needs to be conducted to assess soil conditions in farm sites, at least every three years, and ideally annually. Soil analysis can be conducted internally or by commissioning laboratories. Existing studies and other scientific or local knowledge can also be used. Not all the above needs to be monitored. For compliance (score 2) at least biological and chemical components of the soil are monitored. Information monitored is considered relevant and complete when it can be used to defined and implement practices to comply with 2.3. The UEBT Baseline assessment template includes all relevant information to be gathered and can be used for reporting. In case of large-scale farmers, or farmer groups, field operators are in charge of conducting/commissioning the analysis per cultivation site. In case of small farmers or pickers’ groups, the groups can be in charge of conducting/commissioning the analysis for all group members. When they all work in the same area, general information at the area level is sufficient and there is no need for site specific information. OaS supports the carrying out of the analysis providing monetary or other types of resources, especially in the case of small farmers and pickers when their own resources are not sufficient to conduct information gathering. When OaS carries out first stage processing activities that interfere with or are influenced by soil conditions in the cultivation/collection areas, it also collects relevant information on the conditions of soil.
    		•

    DOCUMENTATION Soil analysis results can be used as evidence to assess compliance. The UEBT baseline assessment template filled out can be used to assess compliance.

    Scoring guidance

    0 - No information on soil conditions in cultivation sites is gathered 1 - Information sources, methodologies/plans for information gathering and relevant aspects to be monitored are identified 2 - Information is gathered but can be improved to become more relevant to define practices to comply with 2.3 and/or it is not updated 3 - Information is gathered, relevant and updated N/A - in the justification, please explain why Score 2 to be reached by second year

    		 Importance
    Critical stepwise


    Applicability
  • Cultivation
  • OaS
  • Field operators
    		•

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