SKSIS-3: Synergies and sustainability for the Saskatchewan soil information system
Term: 4 years, starting in 2020
Status: Ongoing
Funding Amount: $85,542
Lead Researcher(s): Dr. Angela Bedard-Haughn (University of Saskatchewan)
Funding Partners: Western Grains Research Foundation, Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture -Agriculture Development Fund (ADF)
Project Description
Saskatchewan Soil Information System (SKSIS)-3 builds directly on the success of SKSIS-1 and -2 developed by Dr. Bedard-Haughn and team, both jointly funded by Saskatchewan Ministry and commodity partners. In SKSIS-1, a framework for hosting and accessing the existing soil survey information for Saskatchewan was developed, and in SKSIS-2 the groundwork for greater cross-sector collaboration among producers, private sector and government agronomists, consultants, and university scientists were laid out, ensuring that the research and data collection efforts are synergistic, and the potential for unnecessary redundancy and duplication of information is minimized.
In the current project SKSIS-3, the main focus is to examine the potential for producer-partnered predictive soil mapping (PPPSM) that might provide higher-resolution soil information through the Predictive Soil Mapping (PSM) feature. The objectives are: to explore data sharing models with data partners that leverage the power of information for PSM and soil resource management; to develop a business plan to provide self-generating base operating funds for maintenance and updates of SKSIS and PSM modules; and to develop a standalone SKSIS feature for efficient remote use in internet deficient areas of Saskatchewan.
SKSIS-3 project will work on the feasibility of collaborative partnerships with private companies that are already providing fee-for-service precision agriculture services and will continue to build on the open-access principles of these international initiatives to ensure maximum data integration.