Sustainable Farming Practices
In
the Maradi and Zinder regions of Niger 5 million hectares has been magnificently
re-greened because farmers started to use sustainable farming methods and
protect and manage their trees and bushes. Satellite images have shown the
extent of re-greening in Africa and the project is now recognized as one of
the most spectacular environmental transformations in Africa. Twenty years
ago much of the land was completely infertile, but today there are 20-40 trees/ha.
The farmers comment that this has reduced wind speed and damage to their crops
as well as erosion. While in prior years farmers had to replant 2/3 times
a year after reforestation they
often only need to plant once extending the
growing season.
This on-farm re-greening, has also led to more complex and productive farming
systems that are resilient to drought. These local re-greening initiatives
can be found all over the Sahel region.
These tree species:
Faidherbia albidaand Proposis africana
enhancesoil fertility and improve crop yields.
Fair Trade Products
The solution of Free Trade tackles globalization. The price of exports such as coffee, sugar, tea, etc. from developing countries can be very unpredictable. The world market price for such products often falls below the cost of production, resulting in losses for small-scale local producers (i.e. farmers in developing countries) . Ergo, these farmers can’t compete and their quality of life goes down. They become impoverished and they can’t afford to invest in land maintenance. Farmers often end up cutting down all their trees for firewood and the land becomes degraded- here we are, back at desertification.
Fair Trade is a response to what many consider
as ‘unfair’ international trade practices.
Fair Trade is a way of doing business. It is about putting people first. What
makes this market tool unique is that it is based on individual choice.
Consumers voluntarily purchaseFair Trade products because they believe workers should be paid a fair price for their products and labor.
By buying free trade you’re ensuring the farmer gets and equitable amount so they can compete with the western farmers. You’re contributing to sustainable development.
Solutions
Desertification is a downward cycle. As the land becomes less productive people often respond by converting more rangeland into cultivated land or by converting more forested dry lands into croplands. The continued use of these unsustainable agricultural practices then put a further strain on the ecosystem. People often also respond to low productivity by migrating, further exacerbating urban sprawl and socio-political problems. 25 million people are categorized as displaced due to climate change and erosion.
Water shortages also occur due to desertification,
drought, decreased land productivity, land cover change, and climate change.
In the last 50 years the use of water expanded at 25% per decade. In developing
dry lands the average amount of water per person is 1300m3 - 2000m3 is the
bare minimum amount of water needed to sustain human well-being.
Desertification also affects the economy. 45 million dollars is lost every
year due to desertification. In china the estimated environmental damage and
lost resources is valued at 200 billion.
The problems relating to desertification are serious,
but there is hope. Here are three solutions that can help to lessen the impact
of desertification.
Government Policies & Involvement
Due to their impoverishment dry land populations
are often unable to participate actively in social and political life. Many
organizations like LADA and the UNCCD are working to combat desertification
through the partnerships at a community level.
A workshop in Ghana has resulted in closer
parliamentary – civil society interactions on the poverty reduction
strategy paper (PRSP)
With funding from the United Kingdom Department for International Development,
the United States agency for International Development has been working with
the parliament and civil society to increase citizen input into the governance
process in Malawi in respects to combating desertification and poverty.
The German Agency for Technical Co-operation
also believes that poverty and desertification can only be overcome with increased
parliamentary involvement. Since 2003 MP training programmes have been implemented
in Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, Nicaragua, Armenia, and Zambia to educate
them on poverty reduction strategies. The floowing is a quote from Kofi Annan,
UN Secretary-General underlining the importance of government involvement
at a community level.
In 1997 Kenya's environment minister started a green belt movement across Africa to slow deforestation. Mrs. Wangari Maathai started planting trees with the local communities and her movement grew to include projects that:
“I am working to make sure we don’t
only protect the environment, we also improve the governance.”
Mrs. Wangari maathai
Conclusion
While huge strides have been made to reverse
the effects of desertification there is still much we need to do. A balanced
ecosystem will only come with the balance of sustainable development and partnerships
between the individual, community, and government. CAD (Coalition Against
Desertification) urges you to participate in The World Day to Combat Desertification
on June 17th and tell us what green initiatives you have undertaken. If you
have any further questions about the contents of this site please contact
us at CAD@hotmail.com