AUSO Kick off Meeting
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Soil information is critical for managing agriculture and the environment in Africa. The rapid decline in soil health on the continent threatens food security, economic development, and resilience to climate change. The current state of soil degradation poses a significant threat to African biodiversity and ecosystems, contributing directly to reduced soil productivity and increased vulnerability.
Prompt action to provide accurate, site-specific soil data will enable tailored technical, policy, and infrastructural interventions to inform soil management, which will improve productivity, reduce environmental degradation, and support sustainable livelihoods.
The Africa Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) facilitates the collection and use of soil information for decision making at all levels.
Land Degradation
According to the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100), 65% of Africa’s productive land is degraded, due to desertification, which affects 45% of the continent.
$43 Billion Spent on food Importation
Over $43 billion in annual food imports as soil infertility diminishes agricultural productivity (FAO, 2017, Nature & Fauna, Volume 31).
3 Million Hectares of Forest Lost Annually
Africa loses three million hectares of forest annually, resulting in a 3% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) loss from soil and nutrient depletion.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Degraded soils contribute 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions from land use changes and store 50-70% less carbon than healthy soils.
The AUSO project aims to resolve these issues and other soil management issues through optimal use of soil information in Africa.
This project has received funding from the EU Horizon 2020, under Grant Agreement, 101218840
The AUSO project is one of the projects funded from the Mission Soil initiative of the EU.
Project Partners
