Agricultural Research Council Teaches Farmers to Test Soil Health With Everyday Household Tools
- Smallholder farmers in Mamelodi, Pretoria, attended hands-on workshops to learn field-based soil testing methods
- The Agricultural Research Council ran the sessions between March and May 2026, using simple everyday tools
- Farmers then visited local schools to share what they learned and inspire young people to take up agriculture
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Source: Getty Images
Smallholder farmers in Mamelodi, Pretoria, are finding practical ways to protect their land. Through a series of workshops hosted by the Agricultural Research Council-Natural Resources and Engineering (ARC-NRE), they are learning to assess their soil directly in the field, without the cost of laboratory testing.
The sessions from the ARC ran between March and May 2026. They were designed to address growing agricultural pressures, including recurring droughts, resource scarcity, and the spread of the 2026 El Niño weather pattern across the region.
Simple tools, real results
According to a report, researchers and extension practitioners taught farmers how to evaluate physical, chemical, and biological indicators of soil health using equipment most people already have at home. Spades, water bottles, buckets, corrugated sheets, measuring containers, infiltration rings, and rulers were all put to use during the demonstrations.
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Farmers learned to observe soil structure, texture, colour, compaction, and how quickly water moves through the ground. These are indicators that can reveal a great deal about a plot's condition and productivity, information that would typically require a laboratory report to access.
By mastering these techniques, farmers can monitor their soil throughout the growing season and make informed decisions without waiting for test results or paying for transport to analysis facilities.
Bringing knowledge to the next generation
The initiative did not stop at the workshop level. After completing the sessions, farmers visited local schools to set up practical learning experiences in school gardens. They showed learners how to determine soil texture, collect samples, and prepare compost.
The programme was designed to connect indigenous farming knowledge with scientific methods, giving young people in the community a grounded introduction to sustainable agriculture and opening a door to possible careers in the field.
Source: Getty Images
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Source: Briefly News
