Sustainable Agriculture
In the past, agriculture, forestry, and infrastructure in
developing countries often have had negative impacts on the
environment. It is estimated that in the next 20 years, farmers
in developing countries will have to nearly double their productivity
to provide sufficient food for a healthy and active population.
This will require effective management of natural resources
for agriculture and an understanding of the patterns and processes
that influence resource availability. If not, we may do irreversible
harm to the ecosystem and threaten the long-term economic
viability of many countries.
USAID is supporting approaches to agriculture that are ecologically
sound, economically viable, and socially responsible. Angolan
farmers who have adopted sustainable agricultural technologies
are increasing their basic food production. The development
of a wastewater treatment and water reuse facility in Morocco
is helping farmers stretch even further their limited supply
of water for irrigation. An Albanian watershed assessment
is helping to improve mining, agricultural, grazing and forestry
practices in ways that will reduce flooding and sediment deposition
in that country. The use of sound environmental practices
in agriculture can contribute to both poverty alleviation
and food security.
Sound environmental management has become a key aspect of
agricultural development programs at USAID. By integrating
the use of sustainable resource management practices into
agricultural programs, farmers and rural communities are able
to increase their agricultural productivity and competitiveness.
By doing so, developing countries can build efficient and
competitive economies that will not destroy the productive
base on which they depend on over the long term.
Sound natural resource management strategies must also rely
on sound economic policies. The emergence of global markets
provides opportunities for countries to adopt better natural
resource management and agricultural practices. USAID projects
such as “Green seal” certified forests in Guatemala
focus on the economic aspects of integrating natural resource
management into agriculture.
Finally, good governance is crucial to managing natural resources.
Underdevelopment, environmental degradation, poverty, and
famine result not so much from a lack of natural wealth, but
from the distribution of resources and citizen rights. Mismanagement
of natural resources can contribute to conflict and corruption.
With support from USAID, More people in developing countries
are gaining property rights over land and natural resources.
In doing so, individuals, communities, and institutions become
more accountable for taking care of their resources. Farmer
and herder communities in Mali, for example, are working together
to mange the land resources upon which they both depend through
training in resource management, conflict mediation, financial
planning, and literacy.
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