The present need for more food and fibre entails reclamation and development of new land resources apart from an increase in the agricultural input a necessary for greater production. Irrigated agriculture plays, and will continue to play, a major role in increasing the food supply - especially in arid and semi-arid regions. At present, heavy investments are being made in the development of irrigated farming in countries where the quality of either the soil or the water, or sometimes both, is not good enough to yield an economic return without the addition of reclamation measures or special management practices. Moreover, the deterioration of agricultural production on previously productive lands in the arid and semi-arid zones can be directly attributed to the evolution of salinity and alkalinity (sodicity).
There is no doubt that the early prediction of these hazards helps the timely setting up of land protection programmes. Unfortunately this concept has not been given the same attention as diagnosis and improvement. It is high time to voice clearly that protection is better than cure and to investigate the methodology of prognosis and monitoring of salt affected soils.
This Expert Consultation was held as a joint venture between FAO and the ISSS Sub-Commission on Salt Affected Soils. The meeting took place at FAO in Rome from 3-6 June 1975 and was chaired by Dr. I. Szabolcs, Chairman of the Sub-Commission on Salt Affected Soils; Prof. Dr. V. A. Kovda, past President, Dr. R. Dudal, Secretary-General and Dr. J. van Schilfgaarde, Vice-President of Commission VI on Soil Technology also participated. The Technical Secretary was Dr. Fathy I. Massoud of the FAO Soil Resources Development and Conservation Service. Thirteen experts from nine countries, a representative from Unesco and FAO staff also took part.
The purpose of the Consultation was to obtain expert advice on scientific and applied research activities in the prognosis of salinity and alkalinity with the objective of preparing a guideline for predicting salinity and alkalinity and to make recommendations on the measures needed for the implementation of the prognosis concept.
The following subjects were presented for discussion:
- extent and evolution of salt affected soils and economic land classification,During the Expert Consultation there was a short special session following the decision by the Administrative Committee on Coordination of the United Nations to entrust FAO with “the preparation of a world map of areas affected and areas likely to be affected by the process of desertification.” The meeting considered the purpose of the map, having taken into consideration the constraints, and then outlined the scope of the map which, it is intended, shall be published by the end of 1976; to this end the master copy of the map should be ready by mid 1976.
- factors to be considered for prognosis,
- methods of prognosis and monitoring,
- tentative guidelines.
Acknowledgements
The Consultation acknowledged its satisfaction with the work undertaken during its deliberations and with the recommendations formulated. It recognized the importance of this meeting as an international forum for exchanging information and promoting better understanding of the factors to be considered in and methodology of prognosis and monitoring of salinity and alkalinity. It expressed its appreciation to FAO, in cooperation with the ISSS Sub-Commission on Salt Affected Soils, for convening and servicing the meeting. The Consultation also extended its thanks to national and international institutions and organizations for releasing their experts to participate in this venture.
