Linkages Between Land Management, Land Degradation, and Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa
Linkages Between Land Management, Land Degradation, and Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author: Nkonya, Ephraim

Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst

Published: 2008-01-01

Total Pages: 132

ISBN-13: 0896291685

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Most African countries strive for both poverty reduction and sustainable land management, yet information on the exact relationship between these goals is limited. This report seeks to fill the gap by demonstrating a strong linkage between poverty and land management. Using Uganda as a case study, the authors show that certain policies, such as investments in soil and water conservation and agroforestry, may simultaneously increase productivity and reduce poverty and land degradation. Other strategies, including development of rural roads, non-farm activities, and rural finance, may reduce poverty without significantly affecting productivity or land management. Some policies, however, will likely involve trade-offs among different goals and will need to have their negative impacts minimized. Those in government, NGOs, the private sector, or academia who are concerned about sustainably reducing poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa will benefit from this analysis of how to pursue these key development goals.

Delivering on the Promise of Pro-poor Growth
Delivering on the Promise of Pro-poor Growth

Author: Timothy Besley

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 271

ISBN-13: 0821365169

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Economic growth is the most important determinant of poverty reduction. But countries with similar rates of growth can experience different poverty reduction rates.

Strategies for Sustainable Land Management in the East African Highlands
Strategies for Sustainable Land Management in the East African Highlands

Author: J. Pender

Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 502

ISBN-13: 0896297578

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Deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable methods of cultivation are threatening agriculture and food security in the highlands of East Africa. In response, economists and other development professionals have turned their attention to combating the pr

Participation of Local People in Water Management: Evidence from the Mae Sa Watershed, Northern Thailand
Participation of Local People in Water Management: Evidence from the Mae Sa Watershed, Northern Thailand

Author: Helene Heyd and Andreas Neef

Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 60

ISBN-13:

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In the early 1990s, Thailand launched an ambitious program of decentralized governance, conferring greater responsibilities upon sub-district administrations and providing fiscal opportunities for local development planning. This process was reinforced by Thailand's new Constitution of 1997, which explicitly assures individuals, communities and local authorities the right to participate in the management of natural resources. Drawing on a study of water management in the Mae Sa watershed, northern Thailand, this study analyzes to what extent the constitutional right for participation has been put into practice. To this end, a stakeholder analysis was conducted in the watershed, with a focus on the local people's interests and strategies in water management and the transformation of participatory policies through government agencies at the local level. Government line departments were categorized into development- and conservation-oriented agencies. While government officers stressed the importance of stakeholder inclusion and cooperation with the local people, there is a sharp contrast between the official rhetoric and the reality on the ground. The analysis reveals that government officers, particularly in the conservation-oriented agencies, are not disposed to devolve power to lower levels due to the fear of losing their traditional mandate and persistent stereotypes about local communities' incompetence to manage water resources in a sustainable way. On their part, villagers do not perceive a tangible change in the implementation of water policies and retain a widely negative image of government officers. In conclusion, the participation of local people in development activities and in the conservation and management of natural resources seems to be currently at the stage of passive or, at best, consultative participation. In order to deal with the severely increasing water problems in northern Thailand, decision-makers have to recognize the value of participation and promote a change of government officers' attitude towards local people through training programs and incentives. Communities and individuals need to be made aware of their constitutional rights and potentials for cooperating with government agencies and participating in their projects.