Aug 2016
Guatemala
STIE
Soil Studies for Enhancing Food Security and Agricultural Diversification Management Associates Renewable Natural Resources (Forests and Water) in 14 Departments of Guatemala
Generate soil maps, capacity and land use zones 1 Land: 50,000 level and the respective documentary memory of 14 studies departments.
The country has a unique soil survey with national coverage, which was conducted by Simmons, Tarano and Pinto in the 1940s and 1950-1: 200.0001, led series of ground level and baptized each with common names; while a map of the Earth strengthen productive capacity was generated for the year 1980 under the coordination of SEGEPLAN and UNDP, scale 1: 250,000 and publishes the map scale of 1: 500,000, which has several sources of information and it is not derived studio floor indicated. The country does not have soil maps in greater detail than the one mentioned above and also lacks a map of Land Classification, ease of use, since the lifting of consistent soil and directly related to the scale of semidetalle (scale 1: 50,000).
As indicated, knowledge of the soils of the country with which are already very old, the scale at which it is generated is maps recognition application and are not available derivatives thereof, avoiding generally perform the appropriate soil resources management from:
• No recent knowledge of physical, chemical, mineralogical and micromorphological soil;
• Damage to soil erosion inferred, but they are not determined cartographically and effects are unknown in the topsoil;
• There are resource losses by runoff, but these have not been adequately quantified;
• No soil conservation measures are required are carried out and that no items to recommend them;
• Agricultural diversification is done without knowing the land supply (texture, depth, natural fertility and others), demand for crops. For the above and given the state of current situation, it is important and necessary studies and updated for purposes of use and propose actions that are consistent with the current state of soil management semidetalle level. With the results of this project will be announced in detail the characteristics of soils, their limitations, their fertility and can scientifically classified. The taxonomic classification of each soil mapping unit, functions as a "key" that allows access to information from other countries on the type of soil and facilitate the transfer of agricultural technology.
The practical application of these studies land productivity will increase, since in the same physicochemical properties of each unit of soil mapping (UCS), the natural fertility, appropriate management and soil conservation measures characteristics are determined, the most suitable methods for crops and diversification possibilities of them, based on the capacity of land use.
Because of the importance that studies are and in order to provide better opportunities for the population engaged in agriculture in the country, studies and especially the implementation of the results will allow it will have an impact on: a ) The economy; (Small, medium and large), to quickly establish management practices and soil conservation and water linked to agricultural production of crops dedicated to food security and marketing of agricultural producer b) Knowledge of the ability to use land and zoning thereof, allow to initiate processes of managing agricultural and forest land, adequately discriminate between physical fitness and agricultural and non-agricultural uses; and c) The updated land management and capacity utilization knowledge the implementation of policies and hydrological-forest land would be strengthened, with the consequent actions cauda environmental benefits. Finally, it is noted that the proposal is directed at 14 of the 22 departments of the country, as the basis of Convention No. 43-2006 signed between MAGA and Codazzi of Colombia, which has already reached the necessary technical assistance to carry out semi-detailed soil surveys in 8 departments, which have been completed and 4, 1 is in formulation phase and 3 are pending.
