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Maintaining the Rise of Sustainable Agriculture in Tunisia

sustainable agriculture in tunisiaTunisia has relied on tourism as its primary source of income, but recent shifts toward more sustainable agriculture in Tunisia have instilled hope in maintaining the economy, especially by rural families.

The recent threat of terrorist attacks has discouraged tourists from traveling to Tunisia, which has led to a painful hit on the country’s economy. Such an economic shift has negatively impacted previously successful efforts toward eliminating poverty. In just 10 years, Tunisia successfully slashed its poverty rate in half, dropping from 32.4 percent in 2000 to 15.5 percent in 2010; but after the 2011 revolution, progress flatlined.

The Food and Agriculture Organization

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation’s (FAO) priorities for Tunisia include introducing efficient agricultural practices, spreading awareness of climate change and how to navigate it, and helping the government to develop policies and strategies that improve agriculture.

FAO follows its Country Programming Framework (CPF) in assisting the growth of sustainable agriculture in Tunisia. By working together to support sustainable agriculture, FAO and the Tunisian government hope to rebuild the economy and reduce poverty rates. The CPF for 2015 to 2019 lists three pillars to its strategy:

  • Democratic governance
  • ­An inclusive, sustainable and resilient economic model
  • ­Social protection and equitable access to quality social services

Providing job stability in the growing field of sustainable agriculture in Tunisia should draw in more youth employment, tackling the unemployment issue that has contributed to several recent political protests throughout the region.

Improvements and Future Projects

As of 2008, agriculture already accounts for 16 percent of the total labor force and 27 percent of the rural labor force, according to a report by the World Bank. The Sustainable Agriculture Carbon Project, conceived in 2013, intends to stabilize agricultural work, maximize sustainable usage of the land, and provide stable access to water, infrastructure and basic services.

Various countries have already begun to shift their focus toward sustainable agriculture. In Tunisia, the need for a more stable economic focus has grown since the decline of the tourism industry — advancing agriculture can provide that stability in the economy that Tunisia needs.

– Francesca Colella

Photo: Flickr

Fostering Sustainable Agriculture in Bosnia and Herzegovina

sustainable agriculture in bosnia and herzegovina
Sustainable agriculture in Bosnia and Herzegovina is of utmost importance since the nation’s independence from Yugoslavia in 1992. Is status as a war-torn region ended after signing a peace treaty in December 1995, which enabled the formation of a complex state with two entities and one state district.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is comprised of hilly mountainous regions as well as fertile low-lands that are suitable for agriculture. It is one of the highest-ranking bio-diverse regions of Europe, as the region is comprised of various animal species and plants. This diversity helps make sustainable agriculture in Bosnia and Herzegovina achievable.

Agriculture is the backbone of the region’s rural sector and functions as an important aspect of the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Agriculture constitutes about 20 percent of the total employment though, according to a study in 2017, post-war conditions and complex socio-economic structure has negatively impacted its development.

Land Resources and Best Practices in Agriculture

Total surface area suitable for cultivation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is about 1.6 million hectares. The land is segregated into three parts:

  • The valleys around the rivers Una, Sava, Vrbas, Bosna, Drina, Sana and Spreča (which consists of high quality soil) are suitable for production of vegetables, fruits and crops like wheat, barley, soybean, corn, plums, apples and pears. They also grow medicinal herbs and industrial crops, such as fibers which are used to manufacture clothing.
  • The highlands which are less suitable for large scale cultivation are used for cattle-breeding, animal-feed production, barley for breweries and potatoes.
  • The Mediterranean region of the country is mainly comprised of low land, which has favorable weather and is suitable for greenhouse and open space farming. These methods help the large-scale cultivation of crops, vegetables, citrus fruits, farming fresh water fish and bee keeping.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has seen a trend of sustainable farming since the foundation of Bosnian Environmental Technologies Association (BETA) in 2000. BETA initiated the concept of organic farming in the regional label, and with the support of other international agencies, the association enhanced the promotion of organic agriculture practices among farmers.

As of 2017, Bosnia and Herzegovina has a surface area of 576 hectares devoted to organic farming. This is a lower percentage compared to neighboring countries, but the number steadily increases with the certified organic farming organization of the area; thus, organic farming works helps increase the  overall levels of sustainable agriculture in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The following strategies have been adapted to increase the sustainability of agriculture in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

  • Conserving cultivable land through soil erosion prevention (via physical barriers around plants).
  • Protecting quality of soil by maintaining moisture content, restoring organic matter and reducing CO2 emission from the soil.
  • Maximizing the cultivation of crops through modern plantation and crop rotation technique, using weed management strategies and incorporating integrated pest management systems.
  • Providing expert knowledge and education to farmers on innovative farming practices and ways to protect the farmland against climate change.
  • Building of reservoirs to preserve water for irrigation and other uses of agriculture.
  • Changing policy in agricultural sector so that farmers receive more financial support for using modern technology, tax incentives for their investment and risk insurance for their farming practices.

The Bees and Improving Agricultural Growth

The beekeeping sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a component of organic farming that comprises almost 1 percent of the total agricultural production. According to a Bosnia and Herzegovina statistics agency, there are almost 350,000 bee colonies in the country which produce around 2500 – 3000 tons of honey per year.

Various strategies have been adapted post-war to increase sustainable agriculture in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina has fertile land and abundance of water bodies, but political tension between its two entities and lack of central governance deeply affects the prospect of agricultural growth of the country.

– Mahua Mitra

Photo: Flickr

The Growth of Sustainable Agriculture in Bangladesh

sustainable agriculture in bangladesh

Agriculture in Bangladesh is under attack as it continues to degrade land and water resources and use harmful agro-chemicals. With continued help from other nations, the Bangladesh government is pursuing sustainable methods for its agriculture to deepen its environmental safety and increase longevity.

Like many nations in the past few decades, recent technological innovations dramatically changed the style of Bangladesh’s agriculture. Mechanization and specialized chemicals pushed the government to enact policies that maximized production. However, with these benefits came negative effects, such as soil depletion, water contamination and neglect of conditions for farm laborers. The goals of sustainable agriculture in Bangladesh are productivity, environmental stability, economic profitability and social and economic equity.

Besides issues arising from agriculture in Bangladesh, climate change poses a serious threat to the country. Founded on a delta, flooding, natural disasters, and saltwater intrusion have caused Bangladesh to lose 1.75 percent of its arable land. To combat food security issues, Bangladesh has begun projects to improve its sustainable agriculture.

The International Finance Corporation is promoting sustainable agriculture in Bangladesh through work with several private and public companies. For example, it works with the four largest private seed companies to demonstrate stress-tolerant seeds and raise awareness of their formal planting. As a result, 67,000 farmers received training for stress-tolerant seeds and 26,000 trained farmers implemented practices related to combatting climate change.

Another new form of sustainable agriculture has won global recognition in Bangladesh. In 2015, the Food and Agriculture Organization designated a farming style in Bangladesh as a “Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Site.” Called the floating gardens, farmers in areas where floodwater lays for prolonged periods created systems in which they grow plants on floating organic beds of algae and other plant residue. By utilizing wetlands, the country’s farmers provide numerous ecological and economic benefits to locals.

However, farmers in poorer areas do not have ready access to sustainable farming principles or resources. That is where the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture comes in. Since 2011, it has been working to improve value for resource-poor farmers in sustainable agriculture and aims to help smaller farmers by creating access to information, quality resources and linking them to profitable markets via its business model called “Farmer’s Hubs.” Through this project, 15,000 small farmers have engaged with 30 Farmer’s Hubs to enjoy increased income at an average of 34 percent.

Through these projects and developments in sustainable agriculture, Bangladesh will continue to grow economically while protecting its environmental resources.

– Nick McGuire

Photo: Flickr

The Success of Sustainable Agriculture in Swaziland

sustainable agriculture in swazilandIn June 2017, the city of Siphofaneni in Swaziland opened the Siphofaneni Bridge, a massive structure crossing the Usutu River, as a new major transportation route for the burgeoning sugar industry. By reducing transportation costs, this bridge created more job opportunities in the sugar industry, which accounts for the majority of Swaziland’s exports. The agriculture industry in Swaziland employs about 70 percent of the population, but because of climate change and drought, the economy has been at a low point. More than a third of Swazi people are living with malnourishment.

In response to this problem, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU) started working to broaden sustainable agriculture in Swaziland. Because the majority of the Swazi people rely on subsistence farming for their food, the FAO and the EU banded together to introduce small agricultural practices that will build up over time and created the Swaziland Agricultural Development Project.

Communities throughout Swaziland have had communal and individual gardens constructed for growing food, most of which went directly to the households who planted them. Similar communal fishing areas and poultry farms were also constructed, and communities were educated on how to successfully grow food.

The high burden of HIV and AIDS in the country also prompted the FAO to address food insecurity among people living with chronic illnesses and improve access to community resources.

On a larger scale, local farmers were educated on conservation farming in order to prolong the life of crops and the land. In order to make up for the drought throughout the country, the SADP also involved creating better access to water for farming by constructing and restoring dams and boreholes.

Swaziland is in a rough spot, with over a third of the population struggling with HIV and AIDS as well as chronic malnourishment. However, these practices and the further development of sustainable agriculture in Swaziland not only have the potential to lower starvation rates, but also to take some of the financial burden off the shoulders of people struggling to provide for their families.

– Anna Sheps

Photo: Flickr

Sustainable Agriculture in India is Reducing Poverty

sustainable agriculture in indiaAs of 2016, over 20 percent of India’s population lives below the poverty line. Part of the problem lies in the lack of food security in India. Since there is little sustainable agriculture in India, many people are malnourished. India is home to at least 15 percent of the world’s malnourished.

One way to combat the malnourishment epidemic in India is to create a sustainable agricultural system. These systems aim to produce food that is not only natural and healthy, but also plentiful and not harmful to the earth. In a sustainable agricultural system, the growers stay away from any form of chemicals or pesticides. This helps keep the food healthy and edible, and decreases disease within the community.

In India, much of the nation’s agriculture is dependent on rainfall. This leads to the slow growth of crops, causing the supply to fall behind the demand. Fortunately, through technological advancements and education, many of the barriers between India and sustainable agriculture can be conquered.

India must optimize its agriculture through three main areas: production, storage and distribution.

By establishing efficient water management, India could increase its supply dramatically. Many of the crops it raises, such as sugar cane, require large amounts of water. By creating an irrigation system, Indian farmers would no longer need to only rely on rainwater for their crops. This would help increase production.

Another reason why India’s agriculture is floundering is insufficient storage. Perishables are going bad in store houses before they can be consumed. New innovations such as certain tarpaulins, which keep perishables cool during transit, can help improve storage and distribution.

Though the country still has a long way to go before it can officially state that it has sustainable agriculture in India, it has already started making headway. One company, BASF, has already started creating and distributing products to India to help drive sustainability. The company’s products include biodegradable mulch film and other seed treatments.

BASF has also created an outreach program, Samruddhi, that has reached over 23,000 Indian farmers in 2016 alone. The company provides kits to Indian farmers that include protective tools and equipment.

While India still has a long way to go, products and education through companies like BASF can help fuel sustainable agriculture in India in the future.

– Courtney Wallace

Photo: Flickr

The Reasons to Improve Sustainable Agriculture in Sudan


Located in Northeast Africa, the country of Sudan has a brutal history. Political corruption dominated much of the country’s past and resulted in the displacement, and even deaths, of millions of Sudanese. Conflict between the north and the south of the nation ultimately led to the South Sudan secession and the formation of two separate nations.

While South Sudan experienced much stability since becoming its own nation, the north of Sudan experiences continual internal conflict as well as separation from the rest of the world. Approximately 3.5 million people face chronic hunger and food insecurity, yet the Sudanese government and the armed opposition prevent humanitarian organizations from providing support to individuals in need. Due to the fact that food insecurity is an epidemic, improving sustainable agriculture in Sudan is of the utmost importance.

Past Improvements

Launched in 2007, the Sudan Productive Capacity Recovery Programme-Capacity Building (SPCRP-CB/Sudan) was a six-year partnership project between the government of Sudan, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU). The purpose of the program was to build a strong and sustainable agricultural sector so as to provide a systemic improvement to food insecurity in Sudan. This mission was achieved through strengthening rural communities by training farmers on sustainable agricultural practices.

Millions of dollars were poured into the program to establish more than 100 Farmer Field Schools. These schools work to empower rural communities by helping farmers increase their production and bring products to market. The school is a setting in which stronger communities can be built, as well as a place where farmers can strengthen their skills and share knowledge.

The program has reached more than 2,500 farmers, in turn improving the livelihood of thousands of other Sudanese; however, the program ended in 2013, and food insecurity is still present throughout the country. This occurrence highlights the need for the continuation of current efforts towards achieving sustainable agriculture in Sudan.

Future Improvements

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) still works extensively in Sudan to improve sustainable agriculture. Between 2015 and 2019, the FAO put into place a plan of action for sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition.

This plan of action includes several strategic projects that would help to improve Sudan’s agricultural sector through sustainable agriculture practices, and improved policy and institutional programming for food security; however, many of these plans are solely contingent upon funding. The FAO is dependent upon the United Nations, highlighting the importance of international support for sustainable agriculture in Sudan.

While Sudan has experienced substantial improvements to sustainable agriculture, the country is still in deep need. According to the 2015 Human Development Index, Sudan ranks 167 out of 188 — a ranking that clearly demonstrates the prevalence of food insecurity and poverty within the nation. Through the continued support by the U.N. and other countries (including the United States), sustainable agriculture in Sudan can be achieved. In turn, millions may no longer face food insecurity and be lifted out of poverty.

– Sarah Jane Fraser

Photo: Flickr

Main Methods of Improving Sustainable Agriculture in Haiti

Sustainable Agriculture in Haiti
Located in the Caribbean, the country of Haiti has experienced tremendous devastation over the last decade. Political instability, a poor economy and the massive earthquake in 2010 has left millions of Haitians living in deep poverty and facing food insecurity. Prior to the earthquake, Haiti experienced some of the highest rates of malnutrition in the western hemisphere.

Approximately 40 percent of households are undernourished and up to 30 percent of children experience chronic malnutrition. This issue prompted finding solutions through sustainable agriculture in Haiti, and the Haitian’s government efforts coupled with support from the United States has led to significant improvements over the past several years.

Feed the Future Initiative

The Haitian economy is heavily dependent upon agricultural production. More than half of the entire population relies on agriculture as a primary source of income. However, the country suffers from significant environmental degradation that has continued to perpetuate food insecurity throughout the country.

Through the collaboration of USAID and the Haitian government, the Feed the Future Initiative was launched to improve sustainable agriculture in Haiti. The initiative works directly with farmers to increase agricultural production, modernize natural resource management and improve food security. Feed the Future has worked with more than 70,000 Haitian farmers to increase the production of maize, beans, plantains and rice.

As Haiti is highly susceptible to natural disasters, Feed the Future promotes proper resource management as a way to encourage farmers to reduce the planting of erosive crops in environmentally vulnerable areas. One major way they accomplish such a task is through the use of crops such as cacao and coffee — these types of plants are far less damaging and significantly more profitable for local Haitian farmers.

Partnerships for Change 

Through their partnership with the Rural Research Center for Sustainable Development, USAID has trained over 7,000 farmers in sustainable farming techniques as well as established greenhouses that help to reduce pressure on the degraded environment. The program also put forth a value chain approach that connects farmers directly with suppliers and various food manufacturers.

In utilizing this chain, farmers can gain financial stability and expand sales. Feed the Future also improves post-harvest handling, storage and processing. This, in turn, allows for greater market access and the ability to export products through sustainable agricultural practices.

Establishing sustainable agriculture in Haiti is fundamentally important for economic growth and improving the country’s overall food insecurity. By having initiatives such as Feed the Future, Haitians can be lifted out of poverty and experience tremendous economic growth.

Through greater financial support from the United States and other countries around the globe, sustainable agriculture in Haiti can be achieved and the livelihood of millions can be improved.

– Sarah Jane Fraser

Photo: Flickr

2 Key Projects Promoting Sustainable Agriculture in Albania

sustainable agriculture in albania

Improved agricultural practices are currently bringing about poverty reduction and improved food security across the world. Sustainable agriculture in Albania is no exception. In a nutshell, sustainable agriculture is the effort to ensure that present agricultural activity will not deprive future generations of the ability to meet their own needs. This involves replacing problematic practices with ones that are easier on the environment, more economically profitable and less exploitative.

Major interest in sustainable agriculture in Albania is currently being generated and supported by two key sustainable development initiatives. A total of 71 percent of the Albanian population is employed in the agricultural sector, contributing 21 percent of Albania’s GDP. While many Albanians have long depended on agriculture as a means of subsistence, there are several cash crops endemic to the country which can compete strongly on the global market, especially when they are grown organically. This means that promoting sustainable agriculture in Albania would serve the Albanian people very well and lift many people out of poverty.

Two projects, in particular, are promoting sustainable agriculture in Albania and seeing great successes. Sustainable Agriculture Support in Albania, funded by the Swiss government, is undertaking efforts to introduce organic farming, to help organic farmers become and stay competitive in the global market and to promote organic Albanian products to consumers around the world. This project is working primarily to make organic farming profitable and attractive for Albanian farmers, and in doing so promote sustainable agriculture in Albania.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations also has an ongoing partnership promoting sustainable agriculture in Albania. In addition to the promotion of organic farming, the FAO is also working to promote innovation in agricultural practices. It is anticipated that greater innovation will help to keep Albanian agriculture profitable and competitive, especially as the country moves closer to European Union membership.

Other goals of the FAO partnership with Albania include preserving Albania’s rich biodiversity and helping to improve the management of Albanian fisheries in the Adriatic Sea. These are all critical if Albania is to successfully join the EU, which sets strict standards for agricultural products. Additionally, EU membership could pose a threat to Albanian farmers who cannot withstand the international competition that comes with access to the EU market. However, the hope is that the adoption of more sustainable practices will improve Albania’s competitiveness.

While some of the projects promoting sustainable agriculture in Albania may seem simple, their potential impact on rural Albanian communities cannot be understated. Rural Albania is seeing a massive outflow of people heading either to major cities or overseas to find better-paying jobs and a better quality of life. Rural areas tend to be underdeveloped and some lack basic modern conveniences.

Efforts to promote sustainable agriculture often bring with them improvements that, while helpful for farming, also majorly improve daily living for local residents. An example of this is a German-backed project called Support for Agriculture and Rural Development in Disadvantaged Areas in Albania (SARED). In addition to things like more fuel-efficient tractors and irrigation systems, sustainable development projects like SARED have also brought electricity and wastewater treatment systems to rural Albania.

The hope is that these projects will not only provide a better future for rural Albanians but that in doing so they will stop the steady stream of people leaving these parts of the country in search of a better life by enabling them to create one where they are.

– Michaela Downey

Photo: Flickr

Opium and Sustainable Agriculture in Afghanistan

sustainable agriculture in afghanistanSustainable agriculture in Afghanistan is hindered by the nation’s reliance on opium. Thirty years ago, prior to decades of conflict, Afghanistan was renowned for its raisins, pomegranates, almonds, apricots and pistachios. Now, it’s the world’s leading exporter of opium. Radical cartels reap the profits of the opium trade, exposing farmers to violence. The opium industry involves risky loans, protection rackets and financial insecurity.

The lack of basic necessities impedes the reestablishment of legal and well-regulated agriculture in Afghanistan. This deficit includes physical security and infrastructure such as roads, electricity and packaging centers. Since the future of Afghanistan can’t be separated from its agriculture industry, agricultural reform is a targeted focus of international aid organizations. The majority of Afghans rely on agriculture as their only source of income, and agriculture is the country’s primary engine of economic growth.

One approach to the development of sustainable agriculture in Afghanistan is through the revival of previously successful cash crops. High value, high volume orchard crops can be up to five times more profitable than opium. The problem lies with startup time; establishing a grape vineyard takes 3-5 years, which is a hard sell compared to annually harvested poppies. Saffron is equally valuable, netting $2000-$3000 per kilogram, compared to $90 for poppies. Unfortunately, issues such as processing and gaining entrance to the international market hinder the industry.

Many experts believe that progress on the road to sustainable agriculture in Afghanistan relies on helping farmers to improve growing the crops to which they’re already accustomed, rather than convincing them to try something new. In August 2012, The World Food Program (WFP) and Act in Change Invest in Potential (ACTED) united under the Purchase for Progress (P4P) initiative to help farmers and cooperatives increase food production and marketing efforts. A project evaluation in July 2015 showed impressive improvements.

P4P irrigation schemes increased wheat production and reduced the impact of droughts. By saving women and children from having to endure long walks for water, irrigation systems contributed to home vegetable farming and increased school attendance. They also stimulated crop diversification, with farmers branching into corn, sesame and soya.

At the same time, the provision of tractors, threshers, seed, fertilizer and agricultural training boosted production capacity. New storage facilities decreased post-harvest losses and prevented farmers from being forced to sell in the low period immediately following harvest time. Improved access to markets led to higher sales in wheat. Overall, in targeted areas, wheat sales increased by 40 percent and losses decreased by 53 percent.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided assistance focused on both old and new markets. It has supported Afghan farmers through loans, canals and vouchers for seed, fertilizer, tools and tech. USAID helped 52,000 farmers grow more and higher quality wheat, but also facilitated the international export of fruit, nuts and cashmere valued at more than $66 million. USAID helped 1.1 million households by planting fruit saplings and grape cuttings, by establishing fruit orchards and vineyards and by constructing raisin drying facilities and cold storage rooms.

Slowly, sustainable agriculture in Afghanistan is gaining ground on the opium poppy industry. With international support, Afghanistan is reestablishing its place in the global agricultural market.

– Anna Parker

Photo: Flickr

Success of Sustainable Agriculture in Costa Rica

Sustainable agriculture in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has become a developed country success story, according to the World Bank, with steady economic expansion and smart government spending over the last 25 years. Costa Rica is now a global leader for accomplishments and policies involving the environment, building a Green Trademark and pioneering the Payments for Environmental Services Program (PES), which promotes forest and biodiversity conservation, as well as working to improve sustainability in its agriculture.

Sustainable agriculture in Costa Rica is vital to this country’s success as it depends on agriculture for about 6.5 percent of its gross domestic product and 14 percent of its labor force relies on it for work. In 2012, Costa Rica’s agricultural system was threatened by farming practices that overexploit natural resources in order to maximize short-term profit.

Since the mass-produced cash crops of Costa Rica are popular exports such as coffee, bananas and pineapple, all of which required a extensive amount of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, Costa Rica’s agricultural situation created problems. The consequences of poor farming practices include depletion of soil, contamination of freshwater, deforestation and dangerous conditions for workers. Addressing this crisis led the country to put sustainable agriculture in Costa Rica at the forefront of change.

Organic farming has now become increasingly popular. Organic agriculture relies on specific technology like crop rotation, natural fertilizers and biological pest control. This is safer for the environment and the workers, solving both problems at the same time.

In November of 2017, new public-private alliances were formed in Costa Rica to open access to international markets with a focus on biodiversity and strengthening rural economies. These alliances included a Green Growth Program signed by the Costa Rica USA Foundation for Cooperation (CRUSA). The CRUSA five-year strategy will promote sustainable models for economic development that will “improve the quality of life of Costa Ricans while reducing environmental risks as a way to face the effects of climate change in our country.”

With the Green Growth Platform, the focus will be on converting 200 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into green businesses, exporting food products, including organics and superfoods, to markets including North America, Europe, Central America and the Caribbean.

Although classified as a developed country, Costa Rica is far from perfect, with poverty rates neither declining or rising. But with sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture on the rise, Costa Rica is marching toward its place as a great and prosperous nation.

– Kailey Brennan

Photo: Flickr