Soil Management

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.

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

Examples of cultivation practices to improve soil fertility and nutrient contents include:

DOCUMENTATION
Reporting where the implementation of practices is documented can be used as evidence to assess compliance. The UEBT soil management register template filled out can be used to assess compliance .

INTERVIEWS
Conversations with relevant informants explaining practices adopted can be used as evidence to assess compliance.

OBSERVATION
Witnessing the application of practices during audits can be used as evidence to assess compliance.

0 - Cultivation practices do not contribute to maintain or improve soil fertility and nutrient contents
1 - Some practices are identified to maintain or improve soil fertility and nutrient contents but those practices are not implemented
2 - Most of the practices identified are implemented by most of the field operators, are relevant to contribute to maintain or improve soil fertility and nutrient contents but some improvements can be done and/or the practices can be spread further
3 - All practices identified are implemented by all field operators and contribute to maintain or improve soil fertility and nutrient contents

N/A - in the justification, please explain why

Examples of practices to conserve and improve soil stability and drainage include:

DOCUMENTATION
Reporting where the implementation of practices is documented can be used as evidence to assess compliance. The UEBT soil management register template filled out can be used to assess compliance.

INTERVIEWS
Conversations with relevant informants explaining practices adopted can be used as evidence to assess compliance.

OBSERVATION
Witnessing the application of practices during audits can be used as evidence to assess compliance.

0 - Cultivation, wild collection and related activities do not contribute to conserve/improve soil stability and drainage
1 - Some practices are identified to conserve/improve soil stability and drainage but are not implemented
2 - Most of the practices identified are implemented by most of the field operators and OaS, are relevant to contribute to conserve/improve soil stability and drainage but some improvements can be done and/or the practices can be spread further
3 - All practices identified are implemented by all field operators and OaS and contribute to conserve/improve soil stability and drainage

N/A - in the justification, please explain why

Field operators and other relevant actors have access to knowledge that is useful for developing skills to apply the relevant cultivation and trade practices established according to 2.3. OaS shall provide or support the provision of relevant knowledge in the form of:

DOCUMENTATION
Training sections for field operators and other actors, with lists of attendees and topics, can be used as evidence to assess compliance. Training modules/guidance/manuals developed for field operators can be used as evidence to assess compliance. Registers where field visits to provide technical support to field operators and the implementation of practices is documented can be used as evidence to assess compliance.

INTERVIEWS
Conversations with field operators and other actors that provide insights on their knowledge and access to knowledge can be used as evidence to assess compliance.

OBSERVATION
Seeing field operators and other actors implementing the practices or attending knowledge sharing sections can be used as evidence to assess compliance.

0 - Field operators and other actors do not have skills required to implement practices according to 2.3
1 - Relevant skills and options for knowledge sharing are identified
2 - Most field operators and other actors have skills required to implement practices as per 2.3 and other are involved in activities for provision of knowledge (e.g. trainings, access to technical support)
3 - All field operators and other actors have skills required to implement practices according to 2.3 and access to relevant knowledge

N/A - in the justification, please explain why

Score 2 to be reached by second year

The implementation of practices as per 2.3.2, 2.3.3, 2.3.5, 2.3.6 is monitored annually.

The conditions of soil and water are assessed every three years. This can be done using internal monitoring systems and expertise or by commissioning external experts (e.g. universities/researchers). The UEBT BAP Monitoring tool can be used to report information on the progress in practices implementation and on the water and soil conditions. The monitoring is adequate when it provides knowledge for the adjustment of practices. Practices are changed when proven to be unsuitable to the context and not able to meet the expected results in terms of soil and water conditions.

OaS is responsible for the monitoring and for informing field operators and discussing with them the results and possible changes in practices.

DOCUMENTATION
Studies or other assessments of water and soil conditions can be used as evidence to assess compliance. Registers and other monitoring tools where practices implementation is traced can be used as evidence to assess compliance. The UEBT BAP Monitoring tool filled out with progress in practices implementation and information on soil and water conditions can be used as evidence to assess compliance. Practices implementation plans updated after monitoring can be used as evidence to assess compliance.

INTERVIEWS
Conversations with relevant informants confirming the implementation of monitoring activities and changes in practice as a result of the monitoring can be used as evidence to assess compliance.

0 - No information on the implementation of practices as per 2.3.2, 2.3.3, 2.3.5, 2.3.6 and on the conditions of soil and water
1 - Information is available on the implementation of practices as per 2.3.2, 2.3.3, 2.3.5, 2.3.6 only and/or does not provide adequate knowledge to inform the adjustment of those practices
2 - Information is available on both implementation of practices as per 2.3.2, 2.3.3, 2.3.5, 2.3.6 and on the conditions of soil and water but only some of the needed adjustments to the practices are implemented
3 - Information is available on both implementation of practices as per 2.3.2, 2.3.3, 2.3.5, 2.3.6 and on the conditions of soil and water and all the needed adjustments to the practices are implemented or adjustments are not needed

N/A - in the justification, please explain why

Score 2 to be reached by third year