AUSO Newsletter - Issue 001
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Date
2026-07-01
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Publisher
FARA
Abstract
The inaugural issue of the AUSO Newsletter provides an overview of progress made during the first year of implementation of the African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) project. It highlights key milestones achieved in strengthening soil health monitoring, developing soil information systems, promoting sustainable land management, and building a continent-wide soil information ecosystem that supports evidence-based decision-making for agriculture, food security, and climate resilience.
The newsletter introduces the objectives of AUSO, emphasizing its role in establishing a user-friendly Soil Observatory comprising a Soil Data Centre and Soil Health Dashboard to address soil data gaps across Africa. It also showcases major project activities, including the project launch, data management training programmes, continental surveys, strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and preparations for upcoming scientific and policy events.
Designed as a periodic communication publication, the newsletter serves as an outreach and knowledge-sharing platform for partners, policymakers, researchers, development practitioners, and other stakeholders interested in advancing harmonized soil information systems and sustainable soil management across Africa.
Description
The AUSO Newsletter – Issue 001 marks the launch of the official newsletter series of the African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) project. The publication communicates project achievements, ongoing activities, strategic partnerships, and upcoming events while promoting awareness of the project's contribution to improving soil information systems across Africa.
The newsletter introduces the vision of AUSO, explaining that the project seeks to establish an integrated African Soil Observatory composed of a Soil Data Centre and a Soil Health Dashboard to improve soil data accessibility, harmonization, and evidence-based decision-making.
Major highlights include:
Progress made during the first year of project implementation
Development of harmonized soil information systems
Soil health monitoring initiatives
Capacity-building activities and data management training
Strategic partnerships supporting continental soil governance
Knowledge dissemination through news and blogs
Strengthening nationally owned soil information systems
Policy support for sustainable soil management
The publication also highlights several milestone activities undertaken by the project, including:
AUSO Project Launch
Data Management Training Programmes
Continental AUSO Survey
Signing of the AUSO–SOILS4MED Letter of Agreement
Development of the Soil Health Dashboard and Soil Data Centre
The newsletter showcases AUSO's participation in major regional and international events, including:
Eurosoil 2025
European Soil Mission Week
Agroecology Days
Uganda National Agricultural Extension Week 2026
AUSO Webinar on Data Standards for Improved Soil Health Monitoring in Africa
Future engagements highlighted include participation in:
2nd KALRO Scientific Conference and Exhibition
9th Africa Agriculture Science Week
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification COP17
African Food Systems Forum
European Mission Soil Week 2026
The publication concludes by inviting stakeholders to subscribe to the newsletter, join the AUSO community, and participate in the project's side event and annual meeting during the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW9) in Abuja, Nigeria, scheduled for 27–30 July 2026, where partners will review project progress, exchange experiences, strengthen collaboration, and define priorities for the next implementation phase.
Keywords
Soil Health, Soil Information Systems, Digital Agriculture, Sustainable Land Management, Climate Resilience, Agricultural Research, Capacity Development, Knowledge Management, Soil Governance
Citation
© African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) / Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). (2026, July 1). AUSO newsletter (Issue 001)