With a GDP per capita of only $639, the Central African Republic is ranked as the poorest country in the world. In a study undertaken by the Africa Infrastructure Country Diagnostic project, infrastructure in the Central African Republic was found to have contributed much to the country’s economic growth.
Between 2005 and 2009, despite the decades of conflict that have riddled the Central African Republic, the total contribution to the country’s per capita growth by telecommunications, electricity and road infrastructure was 0.9 percentage points. Though this was significantly lower than other central African countries, the study made it clear that infrastructure development in the sub-Saharan context led to faster growth per capita in several countries.
This strong potential is also beset by a dire reality: the central African region has the worst infrastructure on the African continent. According to a report by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the “region stands out on the continent as one with the least infrastructure network, particularly transport and energy, which impacts negatively on production capacities and regional trade as well as social conditions and welfare.”
Infrastructure in the Central African Republic, in particular, is in a very poor state. For instance, only 10 percent of the population — mainly in the capital of Bangui — has access to electricity, which is not available to the rural population.
Other services like telecommunication and banking are either lacking or nonexistent beyond Bangui. Corruption within the government not only fuels instability but also hinders developmental and growth efforts in the country as natural resources like diamond and gold are exploited within the inertia of instability.
Despite the many challenges, transport, water, power, and information and communications technology infrastructure in the Central African Republic have seen significant progress with $134 million in annual spending, $37 million of which is lost to inefficiencies.
The World Bank has estimated that a sustained expenditure of $346 million per year over the next decade can address the challenges that remain. Just by improving efficiency in infrastructure operations, around $34 million of additional resources can be unlocked.
Alternatives to the government’s poor budgetary situation have also been proposed, including extending the time horizon for meeting the infrastructure targets, prioritizing infrastructure spending and exploring additional resources from outside the budget. These are all ways infrastructure in the Central African Republic can be improved.
2017 saw some economic recovery in the Central African Republic, with GDP growth estimated to be around 4.5 percent, which fell short of the projected 5.3 percent. In 2018-19, the AfDB foresees a rise in average annual growth to 5 percent or higher. This growth “will hinge on improved domestic security, which is crucial to agricultural recovery and implementation of investment plans and economic reforms supported by international partners.”
– Mohammed Khalid
Photo: Flickr
Sustainable Agriculture in Nepal Reducing Food Insecurity
Nepalese society faces challenges regarding agricultural disparity, a cultural problem rooted in the caste system. Sustainable agriculture in Nepal is essential to the growth and development of the Nepalese.
According to GlobalGiving, malnutrition and food insecurity are common obstacles that Nepalese society endures. Subsistence farming, a system in which farmers grow enough food to feed their own families, does not always provide adequate nutrients and is hindered by severe weather.
Educate the Children (ETC) aims to teach, provide resources such as agricultural tools and high-quality seeds and improve food security. Agriculture in Nepal is not providing enough security for families. Educate the Children’s Agricultural Development Program offers assistance to Nepalese women with practical farming skills to produce greater quantities of nutritious food. The ADP will provide sustainable agriculture in Nepal through organic cultivation that can decrease the use of chemicals.
ETC provides their women’s groups with seeds, tools and access to credit via group funds to rent land for enough produce to sell. Sustainable agriculture in Nepal is also being taught to young children, training them on planning, cultivating and harvesting gardens. The knowledge they learn is passed onto their families to demonstrate the importance of sustainable agriculture.
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) believes in the power of sustainable agriculture, noting that agriculture makes up one-third of Nepal’s GDP and is the main source of income for two-thirds of the population. Food security and adequate nutrition are important objectives for Nepal. Their solutions for establishing sustainable agriculture in Nepal include education and training for people of all ages, particularly women, who have an opportunity to improve nutrition and health.
The Sustainable Agriculture Development Program in Nepal (SADP) aims to improve the resources of Nepalese farmers and communities via an understanding of agricultural development and promoting sustainable farming techniques. Actions taken by SADP to promote sustainable agriculture include demonstrating various farming methods, teaching communities the necessary skills needed for food production and establishing resources for Nepalese communities that can be sustained.
Sustainable agriculture in Nepal is a work in progress with development and changes underway. This work will not only help create an environmentally friendly society, but also improve the lives of many throughout Nepal.
– Jennifer Serrato
Photo: Flickr
How the US Benefits from Foreign Aid to Syria
The U.S. benefits from foreign aid to Syria in several ways. Giving foreign aid to Syria will help keep Syrians alive while the country’s civil war goes on. Several countries surrounding Syria have closed their borders, preventing Syrian refugees from fleeing the country. Closed borders cause Syrians to be displaced in the country under unlivable conditions.
The U.S. provides several critical resources to Syrians such as clean water, ready-to-eat food rations, emergency medical services and shelters, as well as many other important services to the most vulnerable Syrians, such as children, the elderly and the disabled. The U.N. estimates that approximately three million Syrians have been displaced within their country to rural areas, which are not easily accessed, which is a small portion of the 13.5 million Syrians suffering within Syrian borders. The U.S. benefits from foreign aid to Syria in many respects:
Syrian Oil
Because of the Syrian civil war, the U.S. has not imported oil from the country since late 2011. Globally, Syria is a small oil distributor. However, the surrounding countries are well known for their large oil exports. Once stability is established in Syria, the U.S. will have another oil export option. Investing foreign aid into Syria helps provide the stability that its citizens desperately need.
Diplomacy
The U.S. benefits from foreign aid to Syria by showing support for its citizens during a time of crisis. Showing support for a country during times of need strengthens diplomatic relationships, which creates further socioeconomic benefits in the future. When Syria’s civil war ends, these acts of humanitarianism will not be forgotten. Continuing to invest in foreign aid for Syria will help promote positive foreign relations with the country, as well as keep the citizens well for the remainder of the civil war.
Terrorism
Syria is affected by acts of terrorism every single day. The extremist group ISIS already exists within Syrian borders. Giving foreign aid to suffering Syrians will potentially keep them from choosing to join those extremist groups. Providing hope and help to those that are suffering benefits the U.S. because it will discourage the growth of terrorism.
Refugees
Many displaced Syrians have fled to countries that will accept them. As of March 2017, more than five million Syrians have left Syria in hopes of surviving in another nation. While accepting refugees from war-torn countries is a very humanitarian thing to do, providing foreign aid within Syria gives Syrians the opportunity to continue their lives in their homeland, and lowers the chance of families being torn apart by being displaced into different nations.
As this civil war goes on, it is important for the U.S. to continue to provide help and security to the innocent Syrian citizens. The U.S. benefits from foreign aid to Syria, but more importantly, continuing to provide assistance to those in need is simply the right thing to do.
– Courtney Hambrecht
Photo: Flickr
Powering Development with Infrastructure in Togo
Infrastructure is a crucial platform that supports countries, whether it be via economic or social means. Oftentimes, basic infrastructure such as power and water are lacking or in need of upgrades to sustain communities and development.
Power infrastructure in Togo is being improved with support from investors and consultation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). ContourGlobal, a power company, is helping Togo meet the growing demand for power. The IFC is investing 20 percent equity in ContourGlobal for the development and operation of a 100-megawatt power plant located in Togo’s capital, Lomé. It now produces enough electricity for the city and will soon be enough to sustain regional power supplies. Electricity infrastructure in Togo has proven reliable and efficient in assisting communities as well as encouraging investment in infrastructure that will prove successful for Togo in the long run.
The World Bank has also assisted Togo with infrastructure development. The Emergency Infrastructure and Electricity Rehabilitation Project (PURISE) will support the Togolese government in restoring and expanding infrastructure in Togo. This project will improve urban mobility and access to remote locations as well as provide temporary work for workers in Togo.
PURISE is split into four categories, each one focused on areas needing improvement. One of the categories will focus on the drainage of unclean drinking water and replace outdated gutters with sustainable drainage networks. The water infrastructure in Togo is also seeing improvement via projects. One of the categories in PURISE is set to increase water access and improve the quality of drinking water. This will be achieved with networks of water systems between communities and installing pipes and water kiosks.
UNICEF states that 39 percent of Togolese do not have access to clean water and a quarter of the Togolese population does not have access to water within walking distance. The government of Togo has made commitments to improving water and sanitation, including eliminating open defecation and establishing sanitation and hygiene resource departments.
Infrastructure in Togo is slowly growing throughout the country. With investments being made in basic resources, Togo is sure to see beneficial modernization.
– Jennifer Serrato
Photo: Flickr
Success of Humanitarian Aid to Tuvalu Slowly Brings Sustainability
Tuvalu is an independent island country consisting of nine islands in the South Pacific. As one of the smallest countries in the world, Tuvalu’s economy is constrained. This is also affected by the country’s remoteness.
Despite Tuvalu remaining fiscally resilient, the poverty rate is still high. The small economy does not allow room to grow and the country has few exports, meaning that Tuvalu relies almost entirely on foreign aid. As of 2015, about 89.2 percent of the Growth National Income (GNI) was in foreign humanitarian aid to Tuvalu.
Tuvalu’s primary donor and partner in humanitarian aid is New Zealand. Official visits between Tuvalu and New Zealand began in 2010 and New Zealand created an official partnership in 2015 in order to bring humanitarian aid to Tuvalu. However, New Zealand has been helping fund Tuvalu since the 1980s. In 1987, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom created the Tuvalu Trust Fund, an international fund dedicated to benefitting Tuvalu. The goal of the fund is to help Tuvalu reach financial autonomy.
New Zealand has continued to support and send humanitarian aid to Tuvalu, especially after Tuvalu joined the United Nations in 2000. The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade introduced and started implementing the New Zealand Aid Programme 2015-2019 in Tuvalu in early 2015. The program’s goal is to increase economic growth and create a sustainable economy, reduce poverty and increase Tuvalu’s resilience to natural disasters. Through the implementation of this program, New Zealand and Tuvalu have signed a Joint Commitment for Development.
The majority of the program’s funding goes toward activities and initiatives in Tuvalu. As of 2017, New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has spent $9 million in humanitarian aid to Tuvalu. Though the program is still new, improvements in Tuvalu have already begun. The Tuvalu Trust Fund has successfully adopted a new investment strategy which has resulted in economic growth. This has strengthened economic governance, returning just under $9 million to the government.
Furthermore, Tuvalu has seen a strengthening of resilience against natural disasters, specifically in Tuvalu’s capital Funafuti. The program has also funded the fixing of the Tagako Breach, a thin strip of land on the island of Funafuti. This has improved Tuvalu’s stability during cyclones and storms.
Though New Zealand has already helped create some stability and relief in Tuvalu, it is still working to make a more sustainable and prosperous economy in the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through the New Zealand Aid Program, offers scholarships to Tuvaluan scholars. The applications open in early 2018 and studying will begin in early 2019. The goal of these scholarships is to help young Tuvaluans get an education they can use to improve the development of their country.
New Zealand will also fund and implement the Tuvalu Borrow Pits Rehabilitation Project in 2018. Based mainly in Funafuti, the aim of the project is to improve the living standards, sanitation services and access to clean water. The project will fill up 10 borrow pits on the Funafuti Atoll. The project has already been approved.
The humanitarian aid to Tuvalu from New Zealand seems small but has already started making a difference. New Zealand has laid the groundwork for Tuvalu to continue to improve for years to come.
– Courtney Wallace
Photo: Flickr
The Growth of Infrastructure in the Central African Republic
With a GDP per capita of only $639, the Central African Republic is ranked as the poorest country in the world. In a study undertaken by the Africa Infrastructure Country Diagnostic project, infrastructure in the Central African Republic was found to have contributed much to the country’s economic growth.
Between 2005 and 2009, despite the decades of conflict that have riddled the Central African Republic, the total contribution to the country’s per capita growth by telecommunications, electricity and road infrastructure was 0.9 percentage points. Though this was significantly lower than other central African countries, the study made it clear that infrastructure development in the sub-Saharan context led to faster growth per capita in several countries.
This strong potential is also beset by a dire reality: the central African region has the worst infrastructure on the African continent. According to a report by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the “region stands out on the continent as one with the least infrastructure network, particularly transport and energy, which impacts negatively on production capacities and regional trade as well as social conditions and welfare.”
Infrastructure in the Central African Republic, in particular, is in a very poor state. For instance, only 10 percent of the population — mainly in the capital of Bangui — has access to electricity, which is not available to the rural population.
Other services like telecommunication and banking are either lacking or nonexistent beyond Bangui. Corruption within the government not only fuels instability but also hinders developmental and growth efforts in the country as natural resources like diamond and gold are exploited within the inertia of instability.
Despite the many challenges, transport, water, power, and information and communications technology infrastructure in the Central African Republic have seen significant progress with $134 million in annual spending, $37 million of which is lost to inefficiencies.
The World Bank has estimated that a sustained expenditure of $346 million per year over the next decade can address the challenges that remain. Just by improving efficiency in infrastructure operations, around $34 million of additional resources can be unlocked.
Alternatives to the government’s poor budgetary situation have also been proposed, including extending the time horizon for meeting the infrastructure targets, prioritizing infrastructure spending and exploring additional resources from outside the budget. These are all ways infrastructure in the Central African Republic can be improved.
2017 saw some economic recovery in the Central African Republic, with GDP growth estimated to be around 4.5 percent, which fell short of the projected 5.3 percent. In 2018-19, the AfDB foresees a rise in average annual growth to 5 percent or higher. This growth “will hinge on improved domestic security, which is crucial to agricultural recovery and implementation of investment plans and economic reforms supported by international partners.”
– Mohammed Khalid
Photo: Flickr
Sustainable Agriculture in Namibia Needs Improvement
Agriculture is an important part of a country’s economy. If a country does not have sustainable agriculture, it puts the economy in danger of failing and puts the nation’s citizens at an economic disadvantage. This has been the case for the country of Namibia.
Throughout the past few years, Namibia has suffered through three significant droughts that have had a severe negative effect on its agriculture. The lack of rain has led to soil erosion across the country as well as crop failure and high livestock mortality rates. Considering the country of Namibia relies heavily on farming its own food instead of having products imported, this has caused a numerous amount of problems throughout the country. In the aftermath of the drought’s impact, sustainable agriculture in Namibia has been placed in question.
The lack of food security caused by the impact of the drought has put the country in a very troubling place in regards to both its agriculture and economy. The lack of sustainability has also led to a significant decrease in income for farmers who live off their land and make money from their crops. This has left many citizens, as well as the country as a whole, at an economic disadvantage.
The disastrous effects of the drought have led to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) stepping in to make a presentation about the country. The presentation highlights ways that sustainable agriculture in Namibia can be reached, and provides a platform for people to create ideas to help the country get back on its feet. The country has been in an unstable state because of the nature of its land as a result of the droughts, and the FAO is trying to come up with ideas to rectify the situation for Namibian citizens.
Despite the negative situation, the country has been able to sustain itself through the help of the First National Bank of Namibia. The Bank has contributed thousands of dollars to the farmers of Namibia to help support them through the effects of the drought and has continued to show support to the citizens of the country as they recover from the trying years. The need for sustainable agriculture in Namibia is still high, but farmers are doing their best to meet these needs and help create economic equilibrium in the country.
The cattle farmers in Namibia are experiencing a surprisingly good year compared to the past few they have had, and have been able to increase sales despite having to reduce their herds during the drought. This is a good sign for Namibia because it is now able to bring money into the country to help stabilize the economy, which can lead to a more sustainable agriculture.
Namibia is looking forward to a very rainy and prosperous year for its crops. This will hopefully allow the nation to create and maintain sustainable agriculture and an improved economy as a result.
– Simone Williams
Photo: AllAfrica
The 10 Strongest Democracies in the World
That said, the focus in this post will be highlighting the world’s top 10 strongest democracies, moving from last to first, based on various economic and social factors:
Uruguay is known for its strong record on legal equality and social tolerance of minority groups. It has a strong economy, an informed populace and a national identity based on democratic freedoms rather than ethnicity. It is also highly regarded for its notable lack of government corruption, an issue that has long plagued other democratic nations in South America.
Despite instances of corruption, Ireland has upheld its strong and stable democracy throughout the political turmoil of the past few years. Balanced and fair elections have maintained the country’s tradition of equal protections under the law, though Ireland could stand to dedicate more to foreign aid, giving just 0.33 percent of its Gross National Income (GNI) in 2016.
Notable as one of the only countries in the world to operate as a confederation, Switzerland follows a tradition of decentralizing power and allowing citizens to weigh in on government decisions through referendums, making the nation closer to a direct democracy than a representative one. Switzerland has a long history of civil rights and political liberties, having been a democratic nation since 1848.
A parliamentary representative democracy with open and fair elections, Denmark remained one of the world’s strongest democracies in 2017. Despite pressures following the 2015 migrant crisis, Denmark has maintained its core democratic structures. It has strong checks on power and corruption, a robust set of civil liberties for its citizens, and some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe.
Australia is widely recognized as a strong democratic system, with free and fair elections and a system of obligatory voting. The country encourages the sharing of powers, with a bicameral parliament designed to mitigate extreme divides between opposing views.
A nation that contains immense and stunning scenery, New Zealand is perhaps best known for its appearances in the popular Lord of the Rings movies and its thriving tourist industry. But the nation also possesses a thriving democracy. With regular elections and a system of checks on governmental abuse of power, New Zealand remains a destination for those who wish to combine epic scenery with the modern attributes of a prospering democracy. Its only shortcomings relate to combatting global poverty, as the country contributed just 0.25 percent of its GNI to foreign aid in 2016 despite strong economic growth.
Competition between multiple parties with diverse views, along with deep respect for the law and a resulting lack of corruption, made Finland one of the best democracies in 2017. It boasts a free press and independent judiciary that respects the political rights of citizens. It is above average in terms of foreign aid contributions, contributing 0.44 percent of its GNI to foreign aid in 2016, but could still improve in this regard.
A country recognized by its broad social welfare system and vast landscapes, Canada remains an admirable democratic society. A strong electoral system combined with governmental respect for diverse opinions among citizens has led to a solid and functioning country. Canada could do better in foreign aid, however, contributing only 0.26 percent of its GNI to helping less fortunate nations in 2016.
A parliamentary monarchy with a robust and independent judiciary, Sweden remains one of the best multiparty political systems and one of the strongest democracies, incorporating the viewpoints of most members of society and benefitting from a respected judicial branch that largely upholds civil liberties. Sweden also contributes the most toward fighting global poverty among members of the United Nations, with 1.09 percent of its GNI going to foreign aid in 2016.
Despite the political and social turmoil that defined 2017, Norway preserved its status as one of the strongest democracies in the world. Norway sports strong protections for freedom of speech among its populace and has a civil society and independent media that is encouraged to critique the government and promote responsible behavior by public officials. Key to Norway’s success is its modest population, which makes it easier to represent all viewpoints in government and mitigate the societal divisions that plague larger countries. Norway also has done more than most democracies to address the issue of global poverty, contributing 1.1 percent of its GNI to foreign aid in 2016.
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s democracy index found in its July 2017 report that democracy was in retreat across the globe, including in the United States, which is considered one of the world’s oldest and strongest democracies. It is important to examine the strongest democracies in the modern world in order to study how they have maintained strong systems of civil and political liberties, as well as what they are doing to improve other nations’ economic well-beings, a key foundation for democratic stability.
– Shane Summers
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The Success of Humanitarian Aid to the Marshall Islands
Like most of the islands in the Pacific, the Marshall Islands have a history of natural disasters and their susceptibility is increasing due to climate change. These have ranged from floods and cyclones to tsunamis and earthquakes, and all of them have caused destruction in the nation. The United States has been fairly diligent about sending humanitarian aid to the Marshall Islands for relief from a number of natural disasters and for the prevention of future destruction.
The Marshall Islands were a U.S. territory until 1986 when it gained independence. However, the nation is under a Compact of Free Association, which ensures that the United States provides economic assistance and other benefits to the Marshall Islands. Some of this funding does provide for disaster response programs, but humanitarian aid to the country is not limited to this.
Humanitarian aid to the Marshall Islands from the U.S. has been fairly consistent over time, and a number of government agencies run programs and provide assistance to the nation. There have been many programs funded by U.S. agencies that have been quite successful. In 2013, the United States sent $5.1 million in drought assistance to the Marshall Islands after President Obama declared the drought a disaster, opening the way for emergency funding. This is an example of the U.S. providing disaster relief to the nation, but it also does a fair amount in the way of disaster prevention and response.
The United States funded the Climate Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction and Education program in the Marshall Islands. This program educated 500 children and 5,000 community members on effective disaster response and evacuation. The U.S. also provided humanitarian aid to the Marshall Islands for the development of the Pre-Propositioning Emergency Relief Commodities project. This project facilitated the placement of emergency relief supplies in a number of locations throughout the country. Both these projects helped to improve response times and disaster preparedness in the Marshall Islands.
As climate change worsens, so does the amount of aid the Marshall Islands and the other Pacific islands will need. Disaster response needs to be continually improved, and even then, no one can predict every catastrophe. The United States has done a lot to provide humanitarian aid to the Marshall Islands and this trend will likely continue, as it has many benefits for the U.S.
– Liyanga de Silva
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Sustainable Agriculture in Grenada Emphasizing Modern Techniques
The small island nation of Grenada is located off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. Independent since 1974, its history has long been tied to the dark side of agriculture. Colonized in the 16th century by the French, they grew sugarcane on plantations owned by colonists and run by slaves. The British took the island in 1762 and expanded sugarcane production. Now the people of Grenada are moving into the future. In the twenty-first century, sustainable agriculture in Grenada is the goal.
The future of any nation lies with its children. The younger generations always hold the key to the future, but it is the duty of the older generations to lead by example. In Grenada, the government, in cooperation with the island’s 4H clubs and the World Bank, began an initiative to educate children about the importance of sustainable agriculture in 2016. The program is called “The Pilot Programme on Integrated Climate Change Adaptation strategies”. Its goal is to teach Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) to children in Grenada. To reach this goal, members of the government team and 4H members are trained in CSA techniques and lecture in schools across Grenada. These techniques are as simple as planting crops for home use among trees and other indigenous plants and saving rainwater.
Educating the population about these techniques is important to sustainable agriculture in Grenada. The small island nation is susceptible to hurricanes, which can cause massive damage to the island both physically and economically. Heavy rain and strong winds cause erosion. On a small island, any erosion can be dangerous. The World Bank emphasizes CSA techniques that promote smart land use. First on their list is no-burn agriculture. In slash and burn agriculture, a field or forest is cleared using fire and crops are planted in the ashes. Although the soil is highly nutritious for the crops, this technique causes mass erosion. Forests help to hold soil in place during storms.
Proof that programs and sustainable agricultural techniques work can be found on the farm of Yacouba Toussain. Toussain runs a farm that operates using only CSA techniques. His farm grows Scotch Bonnet peppers. Solar power and wind turbines completely power his electric irrigation system. The benefit of an electric irrigation system is that the system is designed to only use a predetermined amount of water so as not to be wasteful. Toussain’s farm uses a drip irrigation system fed from a water tank.
Toussain’s power system also uses batteries so that his farm is not connected to the power grid. The cost of energy is high in Grenada, meaning that advanced farming techniques, especially irrigation, are difficult for many people to attempt. Toussain hopes that he can lead by example and others will follow suit. Systems like Toussain’s meet almost all of the World Bank’s CSA goals. In the future, it hopes to invest in ways to make it feasible for more farmers to follow in Toussan’s footsteps.
As Sustainable agriculture in Grenada gains momentum, hopefully more farms like Toussain’s will be seen around Grenada; not only small farms but also commercial farms. These farms would be both environmentally and economically friendly, encouraging prosperity throughout the nation.
– Nick DeMarco
Photo: Flickr
The Push for Successful Sustainable Agriculture in Laos
The variable terrain and geographical features of Laos, officially the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, make the region susceptible to natural hazards. High mountains, low valleys, rivers and wind all contribute to floods, typhoons and inconsistent weather patterns. Dense forests have played a vital role in combating impacts of extreme weather as they protect slopes and banks. But as forests are logged for increased production, the ecosystem is becoming more vulnerable to weather and climate effects. In turn, sustainable agriculture in Laos is constantly challenged by the nation’s actions.
With aid, the government of Laos is working to improve current land-use practices, as well as repair the damage done thus far.
Laos and the United Nations Development Program
Under the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Climate Change Adaptation initiative, the Advancing Cross-Sectoral Climate Resilient Livelihoods program specifically addresses the dilemma of one sector’s progress affecting the development of another. The program works toward economic diversity, climate-resilient technologies and climate-resilient social protection.
Another specific goal of the program is policy revision and improvement in land use planning. After extensive analysis of flood and drought-prone areas in different Laotian provinces, the program intends for collaboration among more than 100 planners from national to local levels in generating new practices in land use plans.
Laos and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Maintaining focus on agriculture and farming practices, the government and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations developed a Country Programme Framework (CPF) for the nation, outlining plans to achieve sustainable agriculture in Laos with four projected outcomes:
Each projected outcome of the CPF for agriculture features multiple projects led by multiple partners, all working to attain the set goal.
For true progress, each sector of an economy requires alignment of its successes with the other. Through aid, collaboration, resilience and a desire for unity, sustainable agriculture in Laos will be achieved.
– Jaymie Greenway
Photo: Flickr