|
September 2001
A basic question as to whether the arable lands in the tropics are being degraded beyond the resilience is difficult to answer and will be met with a mixture of opinions. It is even more interesting to ask ourselves whether sufficient protective measures are being undertaken to conserve this precious resource. Various estimates can be obtained to show the extend of desertification at global levels or even within the tropics. Close to a billion people located in largely in Africa, India, Pakistan, China, Australia and also in south America are expected to absorb the direct impact of desertification. Many reasons may be given as contributory factors causing desertification, however, knowledge on pertinent issues such as soil loss, soil pollution and behavior of chemicals in soils of the tropics remains scarce and fragmented. Food security continues to be a problem in some parts of the tropical world. With an estimated 6 million hectares of land being permanently degraded to desert conditions annually and also about 21 million hectares providing no economic returns due to spread of desertification (globally speaking), the problem with food security in such countries will continue to grow perhaps at an exponential rate. It was once estimated that this destruction of productive capacity in the tropics alone amounts to about US$35 billion. The cost of combating desertification in developing countries is estimated to be about 60% of that involving all affected lands in the world. This is mainly due to the fact that desertification is most severe in countries that are least able to afford the remediation costs. Closely related to this problem is the permanent loss of biodiversity within the various affected ecosystems. To further compound the existing problem on food security, there is a mixture of feelings in the developing countries, with regards to the adoption of biotechnology in food production. It has been estimated that about 1,000 tons of topsoil is lost every second and arable land decreases annually by about 20,000 hectares. Obviously, maintaining food production would necessitate either expansion of cultivated area or intensification of present agricultural systems. Both measures are highly possible in the tropics. However, it is now increasingly evident that growth in food supplies will come from increasing the yield while maintaining the current land space in a resilience-based sustainable manner. |
|
WOCAT (World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies) - Knowledge for sustainable soil and water management - The majority of people in developing countries are directly dependent on land resources. Therefore, maintaining or enhancing the quality of these resources improves rural livelihood, alleviates poverty and finally promotes sustainable development. WOCAT was established as a global network of soil and water conservation (SWC) specialists to facilitate more efficient use of existing technologies and development funds. WOCAT attempts to enhance the utilization of resources while promoting sustainable land management (SLM). WOCAT has stated that in many parts of both industrialized and developing countries, soils are not managed in a sustainable manner. WOCAT also contributes to the implementation of United Nations Conventions, such as the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD), the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) and the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD). WOCAT uses global knowledge for local improvements. It offers contacts and opportunities to share experience around the globe. It provides SWC technologies and approaches from their own and other regions. Additionally, it offers contacts to other soil and water specialists. However, WOCAT has stated that SLM practices are complicated and are yet to be documented. It also recognizes the challenge to optimize exchange of knowledge between land users and SWC specialists. Therefore, WOCAT has come up with a set of tools to document, monitor and evaluate SWC knowledge and to disseminate it around the globe. Three comprehensive questionnaires and a database system have been developed to document all relevant aspects of SWC technologies and approaches. WOCAT states that these tools have been tested in many workshops world-wide. WOCAT states that it provides all methodological tools and guidelines to national and regional institutions to carry out their own initiatives according to their needs. The WOCAT network is open to all individuals and organizations with a mandate or an interest in SWC. Anyone can be associated with WOCAT and join the WOCAT network. The WOCAT knowledge base is a public domain - everyone is invited to share and use it. Make better use of existing knowledge and resources for a better future. Join the global WOCAT initiative and set up your own program within the WOCAT network. For further information: WOCAT.NET or WOCAT e-MAIL |