|
|
 |
 |
| How Organic Agriculture contributes to combat Desertification |
|
|
|
|
06/13/2008
World Environment Day: Organic Agriculture contributes to a low carbon economy |
|
|
|
The 2008 theme of the Day is “Combating Land Degradation for
Sustainable Agriculture” and because the International Federation of
Organic Agriculture Movements representing over 700 members in more
than 100 countries is convinced that Organic Agriculture can contribute
significantly to mitigate and even reverse the negative impacts of
unsustainable land use and to stem further desertification it joins the
international community to mark 17 June World Day to Combat
Desertification. |
|
|
|
Desertification refers to land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry
sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic
variations and human activities like conventional agriculture.
Desertification is caused mainly by overcultivation, overgrazing,
deforestation and poor irrigation practices, which result in organic
matter loss, soil contamination, erosion, soil compaction and sealing,
salinization and long-term loss of natural vegetation.
The
international community has long recognized that desertification is a
major economic, social and environmental problem of concern to many
countries in all regions of the world. As early as 1977, the United
Nations Conference on Desertification (UNCOD) adopted a Plan of Action
to Combat Desertification (PACD). Unfortunately, despite this and other
efforts, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concluded in
1991 that the problem of land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry
sub-humid areas had intensified, although there were "local examples of
success".
Desertification
is a worldwide problem that directly affects over 250 million people
and a third of the earth’s land surface. It is especially concentrated
in developing countries. Since 1990, about 6 million hectares of
productive land have been lost each year around the world.
Desertification causes food insecurity, famine, poverty, and human
displacement that can give rise to social, economic and political
tensions. Thus, the vicious circle of further poverty and further land
degradation continues.
Combating desertification requires an
integrated approach. Organic Agriculture [1], including techniques such
as windbreaks, shelterbelts and reforestation, should be promoted and
strengthened with socio-economic measures that address insecure land
tenure
systems and promote sustainable human settlements.
Organic
Agriculture helps to improve soil fertility, prevent wind and water
erosion, improve water infiltration and retention capacity and reduce
surface and ground water consumption and contamination – all measures
contributing to bringing land back to life.
Gerald A. Hermann,
IFOAM’s President, emphasizes that “Farm practices that do not take
care of the soil and its organic and living content undermine the very
resource agriculture depends on – the land.”
Angela B. Caudle de
Freitas, Executive Director of IFOAM, strongly advises that
"Governments, development agencies and donors should promote Organic
Agriculture in their agricultural development efforts to reverse
desertification where it has occurred and to prevent it from expanding.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) should
encourage governments to adopt Organic Agriculture as a tool to combat
desertification.”
[1] Organic Agriculture is a production
system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It
relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to
local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects.
Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to
benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a
good quality of live for all involved. |
|
|
|
|
|
