This GCFSI-funded work will improve the crop and soil management tool Soil Doc through expansive field-testing and a participatory feedback stage and add seasonal climate forecasts to help decision-making that reduces risk in soil and crop investments. 

Project Implementers: Cheryl Palm and Walter Baethgen, The Earth Institute, Columbia University

Soil Doc is a field-based climate-smart crop and soil management tool for use by agricultural extension service providers, agro-input dealers, and importers for improved, targeted recommendations. The tool currently provides information on field-level soil constraints (fertility status, acidity, and compaction). The GCFSI-funded work will improve the tool through expansive field-testing and a participatory feedback stage and add seasonal climate forecasts to help decision-making that reduces risk in soil and crop investments. Decisions based on site-specific soil conditions and seasonal forecasts will provide cost effective use of inputs and higher returns on investment, combined with surplus production for income generation that will ultimately enhance food security and resiliency.