In the FAO Committee on World Food Security in Rome 17-21 October 2016, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland jointly organized a side event with Finnish research centres and NGOs. In this event, cases were presented on how local ownership and acceptance for new technologies can be achieved.
As one of the four cases Luke presented the results of FoodAfrica work package 1, where rapid low cost spectral methods were developed with World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) for diagnosing soil micronutrients.
The results from Africa indicate high prevalence of deficiencies for many essential micronutrients. Through testing soil samples the smallholder farmers can be informed on better practices to produce higher yields that meet the plant, animal and human micronutrient requirements. Research information is disseminated through Africa Soil Information Service to farmer groups, public and private extension services, industry, national and local policy makers.