Environment and natural resources : strategies for sustainable agriculture -- a task force report of the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development

This critical issue is addressed herein by a Task Force formed by the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD) to examine the role Title XII institutions can play in promoting sustainable agricultural development. An initial section analyzes some of the key problems and obstacles to agricultural sustainability; these include the environmental degradation caused by Third World efforts to meet basic needs for food, fiber, fuelwood, and forest products; the complexity of agro-ecological systems; and the lack of environmental protection policies in many developing countries. After outlining the particular contributions made by Title XII institutions and A.I.D."s increasing sensitivity to environmental concerns, the report discusses ten strategies for environmental improvement, with special attention to the advantages of greater utilization of the A.I.D./Title XII partnership. Appendices include lessons learned from existing Title XII programs, and a discussion of the particular dilemma facing Africa - how to end hunger without further damaging the natural resource base.