Fertilizers can be highly beneficial if their use is sustainable. It can also be detrimental to soil, water, atmosphere, and human health, when their use and quality are not adequate. It is time to get to know what we are adding to our soils, and INFA aims to significantly contribute to it.

Laboratory analysis is the first step to assess the quality of fertilizers and amendments, which has a direct impact on soil health, environment, and human health. In compliance with the commitment established at the launch of INFA in December 2020, the second INFA meeting was held on June 29-30, 2021. The meeting was attended by over 300 participants from more than 70 countries, and was successful in meeting the following milestones:

• INFA growth. INFA has almost 140 member laboratories in over 70 countries with a strong presence in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia.
• Governance. A step forward in the consolidation of the network was taken by electing Dr. Wesley Karl Feldmann (Malawi) as the chair of INFA, and Dr. Gerardo Ojeda (Colombia) as the vice-chair of INFA. INFA's objectives, as well as its performance indicators, were endorsed.
• Working groups. During the meeting, the priority topics to be addressed by the working groups were defined, including: harmonization of protocols and methodologies for fertilizer analysis; proficiency tests to assess measurements efficiency; SOP´s for mineral fertilizers (macronutrients and trace elements), organic, foliar and liquid, biofertilizers and nanofertilizers; harmonization and development of standards; policies and implementation; development of regional and national networks; building capacities through trainings and courses for laboratory technicians, actors in the field, and supporting with equipment of standardized labs; regulation and legislation and raising awareness; and dissemination and communication.
• Presentations from experts. The following experts on different topics of relevance to INFA, shared their experiences with the participants: Mr Ronald Vargas, GSP Secretary, Mr Vossie Wilsnach, Convenor of the IFA Method Harmonizing Working Group and Omnia Group, Ms Aleksandra Bereza-Stachowiak, Baltic Control A/S. and Ms Nopmanee Suvannang, GLOSOLAN Chair.
• Commitments and future activities. The formation of the working groups according to the topics chosen in the meeting, will be carried out via email with the participation of INFA members. With this, an annual network work plan will be developed. The commitments also include the publication of the report of the second meeting.

Related documents

Agenda | Details of the event | Presentations | Highlight | Photogallery | Recordings (soon available) | Report (soon available)