Land degradation in the developing world: issues and policy options for 2020

This paper maintains that by the year 2020 land degradation may pose a serious threat to food production and rural livelihoods, particularly in poor and densely populated areas of the developing world. It reviews a number of studies of the impact of degradation on farm production. Next, specific countries or regions where such degradation could have dramatic effects are identified: (1) nutrition depletion, as in mid-altitude Nepal and semi-arid or sub-humid South and Central America; (2) salinization in irrigation systems associated with such waterways as the Nile, Indus and Tigris; (3) agrochemical pollution as in Turkey, south east and east Asia and central America; (4) soil erosion, typified by south east Nigeria, the Sahel and the Brazilian cerrados among many other sensitive regions; (5) vegetative degradation of rangelands or, in south east Asia, through the spread of Imperata grassland; (6) agriculture-induced deforestation, which threatens such areas as Madagascar, south east Asia and the Latin American Chaco. It notes the lack of global or even national data on land improvement, though agroforestry, community forestry, afforestation, conservation farming, water management, farm diversification and community- based natural resource management are creating a number of "bright spots". It concludes with policy recommendations: (1) increased research and technology; (2) promotion of land improvement investments; (3) securing property rights; (4) developing sustainable land systems; (5) improve the economic environment for farmers; (6) encourage public investment in marginal regions.