Maize yields in sub-Saharan Africa have been at the lower end of the global range for decades. A new thesis by Emilio Magaia, PhD candidate at the Department of Soil and Environment at SLU presents a way to improve water use efficiency in semi-arid regions through better soil and water management.

International experts in soil science, agriculture and microbiology gathered together in the Palladium in Malmö, Sweden, on the 20th of May to discuss the key challenges and developments in soil management today to an audience of policy makers, Skåne region representatives, fellow soil experts and university students.

The Save Our Soils seminar provided a platform to address the great challenges we face and highlight the exciting opportunities we have in preserving our soils – from tackling erosion and...

The Save Our Soils seminar provided a platform to address the great challenges we face and highlight the exciting opportunities we have in preserving our soils – from tackling erosion and food...

The Save Our Soils seminar provided a platform to address the great challenges we face and highlight the exciting opportunities we have in preserving our soils – from tackling erosion and food...

Presented by Katarina Hedlund at the seminar "Save our Soils" on May 20 in Malmö, Sweden. 

Presented by David R. Montgomery at the seminar Save Our Soils on May 20, 2015. 

Presented by Rattan Lal at the seminar Save Our Soils on May 20, 2015 in Malmö, Sweden. 

Presented by Mary Scholes at the seminar Save Our Soils on May 20 in Malmö, Sweden. 

2015 is the International Year of Soils and FAO is launching an Instagram contest in order to raise awareness about the importance of soils. Participants are encouraged to share all sorts of photos related to soils, their potential, functions but also their exploitation so as to shed light on a range of different issues.