Farmer knowledge of soil in particular is understudied

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the stated research gap and abstract and future-work section of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2019 and 2026, spanning 4 journals. Those papers have been cited 29 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 5 representative gaps

• Soil-health frameworks in agri-food systems. A review (2026) · Agronomy for Sustainable Development · doi

  There is no integrative soil health framework which coherently links biophysical diagnostics, socio-institutional enablers, and multiscale accountability. The existing guidance for integrating soil health into agri-food system design and monitoring remains fragmented.

  generalstated research gap
  Keywords: there integrative soil health framework coherently links biophysical
• The status of perception, information exposure and knowledge of soil fertility among small-scale farmers in Ghana, Kenya, Mali and Zambia (2019) · The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension · cited 18× · doi

  Theoretical implications: The role of communication in the uptake of agricultural innovations is still under-researched, and hence this study exposes the need to investigate in-depth knowledge, perception levels, and quality and frequency of information exposure on various channels of soil fertility management.

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: theoretical implications role communication uptake agricultural innovations still researched hence exposes need investigate depth knowledge
• Understanding farmer knowledge of soil and soil management: a case study of 13 organic farms in an agricultural landscape of northern California (2023) · Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems · cited 11× · doi

  Farmer knowledge of soil in particular is understudied in the US, especially given that healthy soils have been identified as the basis for resilient agriculture.

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: farmer knowledge soil particular understudied especially given healthy soils identified basis resilient agriculture
• Soil influencers in alternative knowledge networks: farmers’ soil health learning beyond traditional advisory systems (2026) · Agriculture and Human Values · doi

  The study identifies a gap in our understanding of how soil-health-oriented farmers learn and assemble knowledge networks beyond traditional advisory systems. The research highlights the need to consider the role of digitally mediated educators, or soil influencers, in shaping farmers' understandings of soil health and their everyday soil-care practices.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: study identifies gap understanding soil-health-oriented farmers learn assemble
• Soil influencers in alternative knowledge networks: farmers’ soil health learning beyond traditional advisory systems (2026) · Agriculture and Human Values · doi

  Future research could explore the effectiveness of soil influencers in promoting soil health practices. The study suggests that further research is needed to understand the implications of the emergence of digitally mediated actors who function as credible sources of environmental guidance for farmers.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 4/5
  Keywords: future research explore effectiveness soil influencers promoting health

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