International Journal of Agriculture and Food Security (IJAFS) ISSN 0812-3497, Vol. 8(4), pp. 269-273, March, 2022.  Advanced Scholars Journals

Review paper

Viable Strategies and Best Practices for Combating Land degradation and Desertification and Poverty Alleviation in Land Rehabilitation Program

Betru Nedessa

Former World Food Program (WFP) Supported MERET Project Coordinator (1997-2019), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Ethiopia; and Natural Resources Management, Agriculture and Livelihoods Specialist.

*Corresponding Author’s Email:[email protected]

Accepted 16^th March, 2022

Abstract 

Land degradation, desertification and the recurrent droughts are threatening the well-being and very survival of human beings worldwide in general and the farming communities in particular. The absence or inadequate use of proper land management practices such as conservation faming and application of conservation measures on steep slopes in many farming systems of developing countries are aggravating the problem of land degradation, deterioration of soil fertility and productivity and food insecurity. If we do not take appropriate actions to protect, restore and sustainably manage our lands, we will not be able to achieve our commitments for climate change adaptation and mitigation and biodiversity conservation to assure long‐term food security and rural poverty alleviation. Therefore, it is important to sustainably manage, preserve and restore the productivity of our lands. To achieve this aspiration it is crucial to use a range of strategies and best practices having complementarily and synergy to optimize the overall productivity and income while sustainably managing the natural resources.  Moreover, linkages, harmonies and partnership among the stakeholders, awareness creation particularly among the farming communities, political and technical commitments should be seriously considered and implemented to successfully achieve the aspirations of the program.

Key Words: Land degradation, desertification, deterioration of productivity, rural poverty, land rehabilitation program, viable strategies, best practices, restore and optimize productivity and alleviation of poverty