The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) has introduced a new digital tool, the Geoportal, aimed at improving sustainable land management in Guatemala. The announcement was made by Minister María Fernanda Rivera Dávila during an event marking World Soil Day.
According to the ministry, the Geoportal brings together technical and geospatial information to help guide decisions about soil use, conservation, and responsible management across the country. "With the Geoportal, MAGA reaffirms its leadership in the protection of soil resources and moves toward more efficient, competitive, and environmentally friendly agriculture, thus ensuring better conditions for rural development and food security in the country," said Rivera Dávila.
Guatemala’s varied soils are formed from volcanic, sedimentary, and alluvial materials. This diversity supports different agricultural and forestry uses but also presents challenges such as erosion, physical and chemical degradation, overuse, and changes in land cover.
To address these issues, MAGA has adopted advanced methods like the Keyline Model to evaluate soil conditions. This approach helps identify vulnerable areas and provides science-based recommendations for rainwater conservation practices. The model allows for more precise mapping of territory and supports effective public policy development.
The Geoportal includes maps, geographic layers, comparative data, and updated studies. It is designed to be accessible to producers, technicians, municipalities, public institutions, academics, and citizens. Its goal is to make key information available broadly to encourage evidence-based land management.
The portal was launched at an event called “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities,” organized by the Guatemalan Alliance for Soil Management. Attendees included Rafael Zavala from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Guatemala; Patricia Orantes, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources; Andrés Destarac from ANACAFE; and Jazmín Torres from the Guatemalan Alliance for Soil Management.
The Geoportal can be accessed at https://geoportal.maga.gob.gt.
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