The Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) conducted an inception workshop as it commences the roll out of Phase 2 of the CSIDS SOILCARE Project, marking a pivotal advancement in sustainable land management across the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (CSIDS). This phase aims to build on the achievements of Phase 1, enhancing collaborative efforts to combat land degradation and promote soil health within the region.
The inception workshop was held on July 18, 2024, in Trinidad and Tobago at the Brix Hotel. It brought together key stakeholders and country parties to discuss the future direction of the project and its expansion throughout the region -with the implementation of the project in six new countries in the Caribbean.
PISLM in Phase 2 of SOILCARE will, “Find measures to mitigate against the drivers that are degrading our land space,” explained Executive Director Calvin James. He said SOILCARE is “poised to expand throughout the entire Caribbean and include a Drought Management Plan.”
Referring to accomplishments by SOILCARE Phase 1 including the conduct of National Soil Surveys in St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Barbados and Belize and the capacity building among Agriculture Extension Officers, farmers, civil society and other partners in project countries, FAO Representative Neila Bobb Prescott emphasized the critical role of the CSIDS SOILCARE Project in fostering environmental sustainability and resilience.
“SOILCARE Phase 1 provided a solid foundation for enhancing Caribbean SIDS’ capabilities to address land and soil degradation, setting the groundwork for operationalizing Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN),” she stated.
The Honourable Pennelope Beckles, Minister of Planning and Development for Trinidad and Tobago, applauded the project’s expansion to six additional Caribbean countries.
“This new direction will ensure that the project is conducted by the Caribbean for the Caribbean, enabling the entire region to embark on the process of land conservation and sustainable soil management. The inception workshop serves as a platform for member states to share their ideas, thoughts, and feedback on the new project,” Beckles explained.
To date, six countries have completed their national soil surveys, and over 500 regional technical staff have been trained. The Caribbean Soil Support Group has actively participated international forums, such as ASLAC in Mexico, to further these efforts. The COTED Environment has mandated the framework group to facilitate the mainstreaming of sustainable land management and soil management related to climate change adaptation and climate-smart agriculture in the region.
PISLM continues to harmonize policies, provide innovative solutions, and build capacity in collaboration with CSIDS to meet their obligations on sustainable land management and soil health. The organization is dedicated to updating and strengthening national and regional soil information systems and technical capacities, which are crucial for evidence-based decisionmaking in sustainable soil management.