Soils Extension and Adoption

This project showcases soil management for resilience through on-farm trials, workshops and case studies, helping farmers strengthen productivity and adapt to drought.

Key objectives

Demonstrate new soil management technologies and practices – Showcase how innovative approaches can address key soil constraints and improve resilience in dryland farming systems.

Support farmer adoption through case studies and peer learning – Provide regionally relevant, evidence-based examples of how practices work in real farm contexts, encouraging confidence in adoption.

Build long-term drought resilience – Strengthen the capacity of growers, advisers, and farming systems groups to implement sustainable soil management practices that enhance productivity and profitability under a variable climate.

About the project

The Future Drought Fund’s Extension and Adoption of Drought Farming Practices Project invested in farming systems groups to lead on-ground activities that demonstrate practical soil management solutions. Across diverse regions, groups worked directly with growers and advisers to trial, showcase, and refine new soil-related technologies and innovations aimed at building farming systems’ resilience to drought and seasonal uncertainty.

Through field demonstrations, workshops, and case studies, the project has created a platform for learning and adoption. It has connected research to practice, ensuring farmers can access locally relevant information and see first-hand the impact of soil innovations. The case studies capture the outcomes of these activities, highlighting lessons learned and practical pathways for broader application.

The technologies explored by the groups

The project explored a wide range of soil management technologies and practices trialled through farming systems groups that included the following;

Soil Testing and Mapping

Promoting regular soil testing for fertility management.
Management zone soil testing using tools to identify acidity, salinity, and nutrient deficiencies.
NDVI mapping and yield mapping to track variability and guide interventions.

Precision Agriculture & Variable Rate Technology (VRT)

Improving phosphorus fertiliser efficiency through precision agriculture.
Applying lime and fertilisers variably to reduce costs
Using older machinery with adapted technology to make VRT accessible to more farmers.

Soil Amelioration Practices

Deep ripping and inclusion ripping to address compaction, improve water infiltration, and place topsoil/organic matter deeper in the profile.
Incorporation of organic materials and compost to improve fertility and water retention.
Targeted amelioration of sandy soils to improve productivity and resilience.

Nutrient Management

Nitrogen budgeting exercises and workshops.
Addressing micronutrient deficiencies (e.g., zinc) and managing high exchangeable sodium.
Developing yield-responsive soil and fertiliser management strategies.

Crop and Rotation Strategies

Introducing higher-value break crops such as lentils and beans on sandy soils.
Improving rotations to enhance soil fertility and long-term soil health.

Extension and Engagement Approaches

Field days, workshops, peer-to-peer learning, and farmer-led demonstrations.
Use of social media, local agronomist networks, and direct engagement to boost adoption.