8 Users of Soil Surveys
The usefulness of soil survey depends on two major factors; the accuracy with which soil properties are mapped and the relevance of those properties to the purpose of the survey.
The usefulness of any particular purpose depends on the degree of correlation between soil properties that are relevant to the purpose on which the map is based.
Soil characteristics that can be measured by hand through observable changes are easier and cheaper to map compared to those that required laboratory analysis.
Soil survey information can be used by the following; farmers, agricultural advisory staff, research workers, foresters, planning agencies, development organizations, engineers and private investors.
In this article, you will be able to Know; those that use soil survey information and the different uses that soil survey information can be put into.
8 Users of Soil Survey
1. Farmers
In practice, most farmers make little or no use of soil survey information as they may already have a better knowledge of their soils compared to whatever any soil surveyor may have to offer.
The view of farmers on their own soils are strongly oriented towards significant management characteristics such as;
i. Texture (heavy and light land when ploughed)
ii. Drainability (wet lands)
iii. Nutrient retention (hungry soil)
iv. Structural condition of top soil (tilt and heart) Arable farming is a kind of land use in which soil survey is mostly directed and it is expected that mains users are farmers.
The use of soil survey in arable farming is very necessary especially with the introduction of new technology (e.g. sprinkler irrigation) or when use of new parcel of land is to be considered.
In either of these situations, mistakes may be very costly and can be averted in advance by means of soil survey information.
2. Researchers
Agricultural research work should be related to the climatic and soil condition for which it is carried out. This is practiced in an applied research such as fertilizer response and crop variety trials as well as other kinds of field experimentation like disease resistance.
3. Agricultural Advisers (Extension Agents)
Extension agents are key users of soil survey information in many countries of the world, e.g. is Agricultural Development and Advisory Services (ADAS) in Britain. In developed countries, soil survey organizations work with extension agents in order to satisfy their needs.
Advisory staff conducts experiments from one farm to another as well as introduction of new innovations derived from research.
4. Forestry workers
Forestry is one of the major uses of rural lands and often under the government regulations. There are many analogies with the needs of arable farming such as; tree species, like crops may vary in their soil preferences as well as tolerances.
A very important feature is the long-term nature of forestry, therefor making the initial matching of species to site very critical. Soil survey is the basis for layout once a forest reserve is acquired. This will enable proper planning, planting and management.
5. Planning Agencies
Planners are concerned with decisions over changes between kinds of use, such as rough grazing to forestry and arable to urban. This is in contrast to the task of farmers, foresters and agriculturalist who only operate within the context of a limited range of uses. Considering the constraints at which land use changes are made in developed countries, there is need to access suitability of land for specific purposes.
For large changes in land use, it is required that the environmental impact assessment be developed which will include an appraisal of soils and their likely response to proposed changes.
6. Development organizations
In developing countries, the call for soil survey comes from the agencies responsible for rural land development. Some international organizations such as World Bank, Food and Agricultural Organizations (FAO), national overseas aid organizations as well as national and sometimes regional government agencies use soil survey information as basis for developmental activities.
7. Engineers
Although the use of soil survey information by Engineers is new, it is gradually becoming widely known. Soil survey information guide engineers in aspects of road alignments, foundations and in sewage disposal facilities.
It has also been established that some key engineering properties relating to several constructions are soil type related. Such properties are; shear strength, plasticity, shrink – swell characteristics as well as corrosively to steel and concretes.
8. Private Investors
Banks and other financial organizations use soil survey information as basis for granting loan facility to private investors (farmers etc.). Although sometimes such credit agencies prefer using an on-the-spot accessor usually highly experienced person, whose judgment may be more trusted by the agency.
Conclusion on 8 Users of Soil Surveys
Soil survey information is used widely, farmers, extension agents, engineers all use soil survey information.
In developing countries, the call for soil survey comes from the agencies responsible for rural land development.
Some international organizations such as World Bank, Food and Agricultural Organizations (FAO), national overseas aid organizations as well as national and sometimes regional government agencies use soil survey information as basis for developmental activities.
8 Users of soil survey information include; Researchers, foresters, farmers, engineers, extension workers, planning agencies, development organizations and private sectors.
In practice, most farmers make little or no use of soil survey information as they may already have a better knowledge of their soils compared to whatever any soil surveyor may have to offer.
However, the use of soil survey in arable farming is very necessary especially with the introduction of new technology (e.g. sprinkler irrigation) or when use of new parcel of land is to be considered.
In either of these situations, mistakes may be very costly and can be averted in advance by means of soil survey information.
