Consultancy to examine how innovations in soil health science and measurement can be translated into meaningful resources for farmers and other stakeholders

Background

The CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes (MFL) Science Program is part of the CGIAR 2025–2030 Research and Innovation Portfolio. It advances integrated management of food, land, water, and ecosystems across scales. While implementation takes place at plot and farm level, where farmers make daily production decisions, these actions are designed to connect to landscape-level processes, where environmental systems, governance, markets, and social dynamics interact. By linking farm-level practice with landscape transformation, MFL supports coherent, system-wide change.

Restoring soil health is a key priority for addressing land degradation. Soil health is important for maintaining long-term productivity, but also for improving biodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate resilience. Governments, non-profits, farmer associations, and international development organizations are already making investments in promoting soil health. A key focus area has been to develop large-scale soil health data infrastructures based on soil testing, modeling, and site experiments. These databases are meant to raise awareness and help decision-makers, including farmers, take data-driven actions that support productivity while improving soil health.

For this research under the MFL Science Program, we integrate scientific and technical work on soil health measurement with policy and institutional analyses. The underlying assumption is that novel knowledge institutions need to be accompanied by shifts in social and economic institutions to produce sustained changes in soil management. This project investigates three interconnected dimensions of soil health governance: knowledge production, knowledge dissemination, and structural reforms (see https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2026.108147). Through research in India and Ethiopia, the project will identify governance arrangements and policy mixes that enable soil health metrics to support lasting environmental and social outcomes.

1. India Case Study: Institutional analysis of the Soil Health Card Scheme

Conduct research activities examining the institutional evolution, implementation, and future potential of India's Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme.

The research will:

• Analyze the historical development of soil testing systems in India and assess how the SHC program’s expanded soil testing capacity both builds on and departs from historical trends.

• Analyze the policy rationale and debates in the design and implementation of the SHC scheme through document analysis and interviews with key policymakers and implementing agencies.

• Explore how the card is seeding digital ag innovations to identify opportunities and barriers for fostering innovation that delivers public value alongside commercial success.

2. Comparative Analysis of delivery models for soil health tools in India and Ethiopia

Lead a comparative study of how soil health information is communicated and translated for target stakeholders across different contexts. The comparative analysis will explore how different knowledge delivery models support trust-building, open opportunities for extended exchanges, and enhance the reach of public investments.

Deliverables

1. Report on the historical institutional analysis of India's Soil Health Card program, including the evolution of soil testing infrastructure.

2. Report comparing and contrasting soil health knowledge intermediaries and delivery models in India and Ethiopia, including policy recommendations for strengthening soil health governance.

3. Report on the case study of the implementation of the Soil Health Card scheme.

Required qualifications

• Doctoral degree in environmental social science, natural resources, or science and technology studies.

• At least 5 years' experience working in interdisciplinary research, particularly on the theme of environmental knowledge and institutions.

• Experience designing and implementing mixed-methods research projects in domains including natural resource management, rural sociology, political economy, or other socio-ecological issues.

• Experience in working in international contexts, with a preference for research experience in India.

• Track record in publishing peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals on topics of soil health, agricultural policy, data-driven governance, and sustainability.

Duration

July 2026 – December 2026

Level of effort

45-50 days

Application Deadline

July 31, 2026

Please include the following with your application

• Cover letter detailing experience

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae

• Writing sample

• Proposed daily rate