strategy
Improving land and water management by farmers in arid regions
Context:
This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends promoting a farming approach to land and water management that takes account of the level of education, the capacity to mobilize local communities and the ecosystem requirements of arid and semi-arid regions. Claim:
Few people perceive the use of their land-use strategies as a soil and water conservation benefit, yet in preserving their land and vegetation this is exactly what it is. Likewise planners in soil and water conservation, in many cases, do not see the value of such strategies, preferring the use of structures in curing the problem rather than preventing the disease. Broader:
Managing waterManaging drylandsManaging fragile ecosystemsImproving planning and management systemsAddressing problems of cultivation of marginal agricultural landReducing vulnerability of arid developing countriesImproving land use practices to prevent land degradation and erosion Narrower:
Creating arid gardensDeveloping small scale irrigation to conserve waterProviding special extension services in areas prone to droughtDeveloping drainage for irrigated lands in arid and semi-arid regions Facilitates:
Practising restorative farmingManaging water resources for sustainable rural development Facilitated by:
Building capacity for land managementImproving education on land managementIncorporating water resource development into land-use plansStrengthening local organizations responsible for land management Values:
AridLandMismanagement References:
Carberry, P S et al: Conservation Tillage and Ley Farming Systems for the Semi-arid TropicsInternational Fund for Agricultural Development: Soil and Water Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Towards Sustainable Production by the Rural PoorCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization: Modelling Farm Production and Catchment Processes: a directory of Australian modelling groups and modelsWalker J and Reuter, D J: Indicators of Catchment Health: a technical perspectiveHook, R et al: Farming Action Catchment Reaction Subjects:
Climatology → Arid zonesHydrology → Water
Geography → Land type/use
Agriculture, Fisheries → Farming
Management → Management
Development → Reform
Type Classification:
E: Emanations of other strategies Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
