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Efforts to Improve Sustainable Agriculture in Venezuela

Sustainable Agriculture in Venezuela
Agriculture is one of the most vital and ever-changing foundational blocks of a country, and can change due to environmental or man-made change. In Venezuela, food scarcity is a major issue in urban areas; thankfully, sustainable agriculture in Venezuela may make a huge difference in bringing food security to inner-city and rural areas. With the ever-changing weather conditions and political upheaval, though, Venezuela may not be able to maintain the sustainable agriculture market it is currently trying to build.

Sustainability Plan

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States, Venezuela has a six-year sustainability plan for agriculture in the region. It focuses on four major areas of sustainable agriculture in Venezuela: Supporting sustainable agricultural development, supporting initiatives aimed at achieving food security and sovereignty, supporting adaptation to climate change, risk management and preservation of the environment and promoting the Latin America and the Caribbean Without Hunger initiative and support to the South-South cooperation.  

The government has a total of $22,650,000 allotted to be distributed among these four areas. However, these only touch the surface of efforts to protect and increase sustainable agriculture in Venezuela.

Agricultural Production

The Venezuelan Embassy to the United States has shared fact sheets on agriculture in the area. In 2012, they reported that nearly 64 percent of Venezuelans live in urban areas, and that with the increase of movement to cities and other rapidly modernizing areas, the amount of available produce and farming capability decreased. To combat such statistics, the Venezuelan government has not only increased the amount of agriculture-protective policy, but has also supported the development of 191 agricultural production units in major cities across the country.

These agricultural production units aim to help communities become self-sustaining in their local agriculture, and offer the ability to grow and collect fresh fruits and vegetables in a majorly commercial area. These units are supported by the Agro-Ciudad program, an organization which focuses on helping provide healthy and environmentally friendly food products for the schools, businesses, universities and communities that have adopted the program.

Meaningful Impacts and Political Climates

According to the fact sheet, the Agro-Ciudad aided 1,600 people and over 12,306 producers in the growth of their community produce. In addition, Agro-Ciudad helped create several workshops to teach local groups about all of their opportunities for growing produce in their area.

With so many opportunities to support sustainable agriculture in Venezuela, it is also not surprising that people are incredibly passionate about protecting the innovations against a volatile political culture. According to the Council of Foreign Relations, on July 30, 2017, President Nicolas Maduro won his election undisputedly, and moved to make a political coup almost immediately.

With Maduro in complete control of the government, changes impacting agriculture in Venezuela have yet to play out. Overall, sustainable agriculture in Venezuela is emerging, but the question of whether or not it will last within a new political sphere requires time to determine.

– Molly Atchison

Photo: Flickr

The Growth of Sustainable Agriculture in Papua New Guinea

Sustainable Agriculture in Papua New Guinea
Just north of Australia in a region known as Melanesia is the island nation of Papua New Guinea, situated on the eastern side of New Guinea island. It’s one of the most culturally diverse nations on the world stage, but it’s also among the most rural with an economy that largely turns on agriculture.

Sustainable agriculture in Papua New Guinea is crucial to lifting more of its population from poverty. The Asian Development Bank reports that 39.9 percent of the country’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2009.

Agriculture: The Stats

According to the World Bank, just 18 percent of Papua New Guineans live in urban areas, so farming would seem to make sense as an economic lifeline. However, the New Agriculturist notes that the nation is very mountainous, leaving just 25 percent of its land suitable for agriculture.

This presents a significant problem when it comes to developing sustainable agriculture projects in Papua New Guinea; but thankfully, new technologies stand to make a difference and boost agricultural output in the island nation.

Solar-Powered Milling Technology

According to the Papua New Guinea National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI), a solar-powered rice-milling technology is being pioneered in the Morobe province; this trial began in 2017 and should continue through 2019.

This technology’s potential lies in the fact that rice has become a staple food in Papua New Guinea since its introduction about a century ago. However, it has never become a staple crop because natural milling conditions are less than ideal.

Solar-powered mills aim to replace diesel-powered ones, which are more expensive to operate and repair. If solar power proves to be a more reliable and efficient technology, rice milling and other forms of farming will likely see an expansion and provide more support to rural communities.

Boosting Sustainable Agriculture in Papua New Guinea: More Successes

This test run joins a host of efforts to improve sustainable agriculture in Papua New Guinea, including the Productive Partnerships in Agriculture Project (PPAP), which tried to benefit smallholder cocoa and coffee producers when it started in 2014.

PPAP aims to boost industry coordination, build links between local farmers and agribusiness for improved access to markets/technologies and improve infrastructure for that access. The World Bank estimates that more than 20,000 local coffee and cocoa farmers had benefitted by 2015, and farms adopting improved farming practices continues to grow.

Future Benefits

Hopefully, sustainable agriculture projects in Papua New Guinea will make farming more economical and reduce poverty levels as more citizens are able to engage with the career. Future improvements also stand to benefit women especially, who often form the backbone of the Papua New Guinea agricultural industry.

– Chuck Hasenauer
Photo: Flickr

A Nation on the Rise: Sustainable Agriculture in Ecuador

Thriving Through Sustainable Agriculture in Ecuador
Ecuador is looking to improve its standard of living by putting more of a focus on sustainable agriculture.

This effort begs the question though of: what exactly is sustainable agriculture? The answer is that sustainable agriculture is the production of plant or animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment and public health of a country; or in other words, an effort that has become incredibly important in Ecuador in recent years.

One example of these extremely important developments is a farm in Ecuador that invites tourists to experience the process of farming for themselves at Rio Muchacho, an organic farm and eco-lodge located on the western coast. Open for almost 30 years, the farm began as a way to produce healthy food.

Early in its start, the farm focused on fixing the soil erosion by reforesting the hills around it; Rio Muchacho helped reforest again in Bahia about 15 years ago.

Biodiversity Encourages Sustainable Agriculture in Ecuador

Despite being a small country in South America, Ecuador is one of the top 10 most biodiverse places in the world. With over 20,000 species of plants and 1,500 species of birds, Ecuador’s forests are bursting with diverse lifeforms.

Unfortunately, Ecuador has the worst deforestation rate and environmental quality in all of South America, according to the nature website, Mongabay; in fact, logging on the western coast is to blame for the loss of so many trees.

A national forest program was created in 2002, and SocioBosque is the program Ecuador’s government introduced in 2008 and as of 2012. Since its conception, the program has protected 1.1 million hectares, or 2.7 million acres, of native ecosystems, including grasslands.

Unfortunately, though, the program has suffered in recent years due to a lack of funding. The Ministry of Environment is often unable to properly enforce the law when it comes to deforestation.

Conservation International and Farming in Ecuador

Conservation International works with SocioBosque to strengthen the land and communities; one of the ways the organization accomplishes this is by working with sustainable agriculture in Ecuador. Their way of “living green” helps over 1 million people and also prevents a large majority of citizens from experiencing poverty. Farmers rely on the land, and Conservation International works with the Ecuadorian government to protect 10 million acres of forests while also providing education on how to preserve land and become more efficient with it.

Farmers in Ecuador also work together to not only save their land but also the produce they grow. The price of food can increase dramatically in some cities by the time it reaches the end consumer. Also, local regulations can prevent farmers from selling their produce outside the Guayaquil Grocery Terminal, a place established in 2000 as a way to sell goods.

The Federation of Agriculture Centers and Peasant Organizations of Ecuador was founded in 2003 to promote a chemical-free and sustainable way of living off the land and protecting the agriculture. Through this group, farmers are able to protect their interests and the land, all while selling organic produce to schools and businesses.

The sustainable agricultural practices used by farmers include rotation of crops for healthy soil, planting trees and shrubs to protect smaller crops and reducing plowing. As a whole, sustainable agriculture in Ecuador promotes biodiversity and also minimizes pollution. Thankfully, the nation finds success in its agricultural sectors, and will most likely continue with this trend in the future.

– Nicole Moylan

Photo: Flickr

Sustainable Agriculture in the Marshall Islands Improves Health

Sustainable Agriculture in the Marshall Islands Improves Health
A World Summit report by the United Nations (U.N.) found agricultural imports into the Marshall Islands have grown rapidly over the past few decades, outpacing the sluggish growth of exports from the country. This spike in imports has not only posed a problem for the Marshallese and sustainable agriculture in the Marshall Islands, but also for the current climate crisis facing the global community.

Change in Diet

The Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations (FAO) speculates that imports are causing the abandonment of the traditional diets once common on the island (i.e., seafood, leafy greens and coconuts), in favor of a greater reliance on costly processed grains and meat from abroad.

This poorer quality food has led to a noticeable uptick in obesity, with a National Institute of Health-funded study showing 62.5 percent of the country as either overweight or obese. The new diet has also eroded the national sovereignty of the islands, with the agricultural economy growing ever more dependent on the United States and other foreign assistance.

Environmental Impact of Imports

Importing processed food in favor of sustainable agriculture in the Marshall Islands has a heavy environmental cost as well. According to a study conducted by the University of California, Santa Barbra, the carbon expelled in the process of preserving, refrigerating, and shipping processed foods negatively impacts CO2 levels.

The Marshall Islands thus have good reason to invest in mitigating both obesity, as it impacts their economy and quality of life, and climate change, as the smaller islands will be hit the hardest by the rising ocean levels and more extreme weather patterns.

Climate change is also speculated to cripple the once prosperous coconut and seafood industries that are valuable to the Marshall Islands’ economy and diet. One of the primary plans to mitigate these effects has been a greater investment in local sustainable agriculture.

International Aid

Fortunately, the FAO, the World Health Organization (WHO), and leaders throughout the Pacific Islands have committed to improving sustainable and local agriculture to fight climate change and spur economic independence and growth. This plan was outlined by Graziano da Silva, Director-General of the FAO, at a high-profile meeting with Pacific Island leaders last November.

“You are suffering from things that you didn’t cause,” da Silva explained, “from things you are not responsible for – the impact of climate change.This is what FAO offers – support so that you can face climate change.”

According to da Silva, obesity also posed a major threat. “It is an epidemic that we need to address. Together with partners such as the WHO, we promote the uptake of healthy, fresh food – fruits, vegetable and fish instead of processed food.”

Those at the meeting went on to reaffirm a commitment to limit global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a lofty goal that will require much planning and development.

The United Nations

For the U.N., attaining this goal means working to develop sustainable agriculture in the Marshall Islands that incentivizes local redevelopment of the coconut industry, and working with local officials to establish Farmers Markets in cities to promote the distribution of seafood and leafy greens.

It also means utilizing social movements focused on changing diets to decrease reliance on processed foods high in addictive sugar and sodium. The World Summit Report by the U.N. also emphasizes the development of the Marshall Islands’ more rural areas.

“While the Capital has developed at a relatively fast speed, the developments in the Outer Islands have lagged behind,” the report noted, especially the kinds of improvements in infrastructure that would allow rural residents to produce local food and transport it throughout the Islands.

In addition, the U.N. argues that ensuring agricultural development on the rural islands is best achieved by improving the fiscal position and economic management of the central government and to encourage private-sector investment through new policies.

Though the impact may appear small, promoting sustainable local agriculture not only staves off the growing worldwide obesity epidemic by creating healthier diets, but it is also key to capping global temperatures. For these reasons, local agriculture is vital to the continued wellbeing of the Marshall Islands, and all Pacific communities.

At the meeting in Rome, Pacific Island leaders made the necessity clear, issuing a group statement that asked for all nations to “exceed previous commitments and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius pre-industrial levels, to reduce the adverse impacts on food security and nutrition, coastal habitats and the livelihoods of those depending on oceans.”

– Shane Summers

Photo: Flickr

Sustainable Agriculture in Jordan Requires Water Conservation

Jordan is a rather small, almost completely landlocked country located in the Middle East. Though small, it remains one of the more stable countries in the region, and it has welcomed over three million refugees from Syria and Palestine. With a small economy, foreign investors can tap into the growing number of skilled workers there.

Because of its semi-arid landscape, Jordan’s GDP makeup consists of industrial works such as mining and manufacturing. There is a severe lack of natural resources and agricultural, especially because the nation has the second least water per capita in the world. However, because of projects in intelligent and sustainable agriculture in Jordan, the country is still growing and improving livelihood for all its citizens.

A main focus for sustainable agriculture in Jordan is utilizing water effectively to generate income and food. For example, over the past several years, the Near East Foundation (NEF) has focused on fish farming. Instead of attempting to plant, grow and risk wasting water in arid plains, NEF uses reservoirs that both irrigate plant foods and double as fishponds. Through technical support, promoting local fish feed and other programs, NEF has helped produce 400 tons of tilapia a year in Jordan so farmers can supplement between traditional growing seasons.

Alternatively, some programs focus on cleaning the already existing water. Royal HaskoningDHV, an NGO from the Netherlands, recently won a contract to help restore the Lower Jordan River. In the past 60 years, the ecology of the river has changed drastically, with waste and saline water degrading the natural ecosystem. With an investment of $4.58 billion, Royal HaskoningDHV’s “master plan” will be positively impacting the river until 2050.

Even in the desert, farming continues, such as on the Rum Farm in South Jordan where 720 km of desert mountains and caverns reside. Through ancient and modern sustainable techniques, this farm has been able to cultivate a 2,000-hectare farm in an area where the monthly rainfall is five millimeters. Established in 1986, a key geographical aspect underground, a natural aquifer, allows for this farm to have abundant agriculture as farmers pull water from below. With pivoting water mechanisms, and modern polyplastic tunnels to store water, the farm employs 300 to 600 workers each season and produces thousands of tons of foodstuffs.

While it may not be the main economic power in the country, sustainable agriculture in Jordan has been able to flourish even under intense environmental pressures. With continued growth and support from projects similar to the aforementioned, they will be able to sustain an agricultural sector that defines itself by innovation and stability.

– Nick McGuire

Photo: Flickr

Addressing the Need for Sustainable Agriculture in Fiji

sustainable agriculture in fijiFor many, the mention of Fiji, a country located in the South Pacific Ocean, conjures up images of crystal blue waters, white sandy beaches and five star luxury resorts ready to cater to every holiday need. Yet, even tropical paradises are not immune to climate change, and Fiji has experienced increasingly intense and unpredictable weather events such as droughts, floods and cyclones. This has dramatically impacted farmers in Fiji, and there has now been a recognized need for more sustainable agriculture in Fiji.

Sustainable farming practices, rather than aggravating the various effects of climate change, make way for more environmentally friendly practices that increase food security and improve livelihoods. One project that is currently active in Fiji is the Climate Change Adaptation through Sustainable Agricultural Project, which has been funded by the Pacific American Climate Fund and implemented by the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development. This project focuses specifically on incorporating traditional farming practices, and 200 farmers from eight communities have been selected to become involved in this initiative.

Another project implemented by the Organic Matters Foundation, in partnership with a nongovernmental organization called Tei Tei Taveuni, has sought for the implementation of chemical-free farming practices, a more sustainable alternative to chemical-laden cultivation. 160 farmers attended lessons on soil biology and learned about the benefits of switching to organic farming. Instead of using chemicals to fertilize their crops, farmers in this project have started to use locally sourced materials such as seaweed and corals. The transfer and exchange of knowledge was an important aspect within this project, and the knowledge regarding the benefits of chemical free farming has spread to other areas in Fiji.

Recognizing the important role that agriculture plays in Fiji’s economy, the Ministry of Agriculture in Fiji, with assistance from the Food and Agriculture of the United Nations, created and published the Fiji 2020 Agriculture Sector Policy Agenda. The aim of this policy is to evolve and modernize Fiji’s agricultural sector in a holistic and inclusive approach, with a focus on sustainability. This policy pursues the use of “climate-smart agriculture” as a new way of increasing production, as well as heightening resilience through the use of sustainable agriculture in Fiji. In order to address national and global obstacles in relation to food security and climate change, a new framework must be set, which is argued and outlined in this policy.

As the effects of climate change heighten, adaptive sustainable agriculture in Fiji has been recognized as a crucial measure by various actors, including farmers and their communities, various local and national nongovernmental organizations and the Fiji government. Many understand the importance of the close connections between agriculture, the economy, food security and livelihoods of communities, and its awareness is spreading throughout the country. In addition to the projects mentioned, various other actions are being undertaken that focus on modernizing agricultural practices, which create more resilience for farmers and their communities and contribute further to sustainable agriculture in Fiji.

– Miho Kitamura

Photo: Flickr

Sustainable Agriculture in Peru for the Matsés People

Sustainable Agriculture in Peru and the Matsés PeopleNew agriculture techniques introduced to the Matsés people of Peru have hope to limit deforestation in the Amazon, preserve the Matsés culture and pave the way for sustainable agriculture in Peru.

Who are the Matsés? The Matsés are an indigenous group that occupies riverbank areas in the Amazon rainforest. There are only about 2,200 Matsés in these areas. According to Survival, a non-governmental organization committed to the rights of indigenous people, the Matsés live off the land by farming, hunting and fishing.

Farming is an important aspect of Matsés culture. The Permaculture Research Institute explains that slash and burn techniques are common agricultural practices that the Matsés use in order to farm. Although this practice is traditional for the Matsés, it does raise some ecological issues, as it is not a sustainable agricultural method.

The slash and burn technique, which is a method of clearing forests and then burning the vegetation, leads to disastrous environmental concerns. The Ecologic Development Fund explains that this method and deforestation contributes to climate change, habitat loss and ultimately nutrient-depleted soil.

This does not only affect the environment, but also the health of the Matsés people. The John A. Dutton E-Education Institute explains that soil that is low in nutrients will result in poor nutrient levels in crops, as these plants will only be supplied with the nutrients that are leftover from previous seasons. This ultimately means that the Matsés people are likely not getting adequate nutrition from the food they are producing.

Luckily, there is hope that these issues will improve as sustainable agriculture in Peru spreads.

William Park from the Permaculture Research Institute explains permaculture, which is a sustainable agriculture technique that was introduced to the Matsés, as “consciously designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fiber and energy (shelter, medicine) for the provision of local needs.”

The Permaculture Research Institute and the Acaté Amazon Conservation started a permaculture farm where David Fleck, the field coordinator, has focused on integrating sustainable farm practices into the lives of the Matsés. This method will not only yield more nutritious food but also reduce deforestation in the area.

Luckily, these methods have proved successful, as they do increase crop yields. The Permaculture Research Institute says this has helped the Matsés people to embrace these changes. They are confident that the Matsés will continue with these sustainability practices and that these methods will spread throughout the region to grow sustainable agriculture in Peru.

What does this mean for the future of the Matsés people and the Amazon? These new techniques show promise in providing adequate amounts of food that are fully nutritious. This should ensure that the Matsés live healthier lives. Furthermore, these practices enable the Matsés people to become better educated on the richness and importance of the Amazon. The Matsés Project is committed to educating the Matsés so they can preserve their culture and be able to better defend their land from companies trying to exploit their home.

– Mary McCarthy

Photo: Flickr

Sustainable Agriculture in Bhutan

sustainable agriculture in bhutan

Bhutan is a small, predominately mountainous country landlocked between China and India. It has a population of nearly 760,000 people— about 70 percent of whom live in rural areas. The agricultural sector is central to the Bhutanese economy. Over 65 percent of the population is involved in agriculture and it accounts for over 20 percent of Bhutan’s GDP. Thus, sustainable agriculture in Bhutan is a necessary future development.

The Effects of Climate Change

Most of Bhutan’s rural population depends on subsistence farming. However, climate change is altering ecosystems in ways that have far-reaching, adverse consequences for health and the economy. For example, high-mountain environments, such as that of Bhutan, are particularly vulnerable to changes in climate. This is in part due to the rapid rate of temperature changes which increases with elevation.

The projected effects of climate change in Bhutan include increasingly frequent floods and landslides, receding glaciers and other natural hazards — which all impose barriers to sustainable agriculture development.

Sustainable Agriculture in Bhutan

Sustainable agriculture in Bhutan is an important factor for socio-economic development and growth. In addition to climate-related hazards, challenges to productive and sustainable agriculture in Bhutan include water scarcity, fragmented landholding, changing land use, negative human-wildlife interactions, inadequate irrigation and poor infrastructural development.

In 2017, the Government of Bhutan developed the ‘Enhancing Sustainability and Climate Resilience of Forest and Agricultural Landscape and Community Livelihoods in Bhutan’ project. Its objectives are to strengthen biological corridors, build resilience for adaption to climate change and support sustainable agriculture in Bhutan by 2023.

Food Insecurity

Climate change poses fundamental threats to people’s livelihoods in Bhutan with its potential to increase food insecurity and rural poverty. Despite substantial economic growth in recent years, rates of food insecurity and malnutrition remain high. Thirty-three percent of the Bhutanese population suffers from food insecurity. Furthermore, over 33 percent of Bhutanese children have stunted growth.

The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals’ target of increasing agricultural productivity by 2030 is also driving the government’s efforts in the agricultural sector.

Although it will be difficult for Bhutan to reach this target due to uneven and mountainous terrain, the country is committed to alleviating poverty and food insecurity through sustainable agriculture development.

– Gabrielle Doran

Photo: Flickr

Sustainable Agriculture in South Sudan Making Gains Amid Crisis

sustainable South SudanSouth Sudan declared independence in July 2011 and is the world’s youngest nation. It is located in East Africa and is known to have rich and arable soil that is incredibly well suited to farming.

South Sudan is also going through a food insecurity crisis. The aftermath of a four-year civil war, the deaths and displacement of citizens near the nation’s northern border, poor infrastructure and a lack of knowledge regarding sustainable agriculture practices contribute to the 4.8 million food insecure people. If sustainable agriculture in South Sudan makes no advances, an estimated 5.1 million people are expected to go hungry in 2018.

Sustainable agriculture in South Sudan has incredible yet unrealized potential. More than 70 percent of the nation’s total land area is suitable for crop production. Less than 4 percent of the total land area is currently cultivated. Increasing the total land cultivated by only 6 percent would more than double the country’s value of total agriculture production from $808 million to $2 billion.

In order to realize this goal, South Sudan must prioritize infrastructure improvements in targeted areas with high agricultural potential. Having more paved roads would ensure that farmers are able to make full use of their yields and would also reduce carbon emissions.

Uganda has provided aid to South Sudan following the outbreak of the December 2013 conflict in South Sudan. In December 2017, agencies in Uganda like the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) focused their attention on teaching South Sudanese refugees about sustainable agriculture. ADRA challenged refugees to increase their independence by producing their own food and trained over 250 refugees in a period of five days.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is currently managing a $61 million emergency rehabilitation program in South Sudan in an attempt to help 250,000 displaced farmers return to agriculture after being forced from their land.

“South Sudan is enormously rich in terms of natural resources, and with 95 percent of the population dependent on them for survival, it has huge potential for sustainable growth through agriculture,” said George Okech, Head of Office, FAO South Sudan.

According to the FAO, a lack of access to quality seeds and planting materials constrains yields. Through FAO, the most vulnerable farmers are provided with quality seeds and tools through seed fairs or direct distribution, along with training in good agronomic practices.

In areas less affected by the ongoing crisis, FAO fosters sustainable agriculture in South Sudan via farmer field schools and the promotion of seed multiplication, where selected farmers are provided with quality seed and trained in production, conditioning, storage and marketing.

In order to realize this goal, South Sudan must prioritize infrastructure improvements in targeted areas with high agricultural potential. There are many steps that need to be taken to fully implement sustainable agriculture in South Sudan, but the importance of it is known to many and progress is being made.

– Sam Bramlett

Photo: Flickr

Rebuilding Soil to Build Sustainable Agriculture in Andalusia

Sustainable Agriculture in AndalusiaIn Andalusia, one of the 17 autonomous regions in Spain, agriculture and food production drive the economy. According to 2016 report, 24.3 percent of the region’s population lives in rural areas. Desertification, the process by which once-fertile land becomes lifeless, is eating away at vital landscapes. The dehesa, a traditional Spanish amalgamation of agriculture, natural grasslands and shrubbery, is falling out of favor.

Cultivation of singular crops has been going on for decades. This monoculture leads to vast segments of exposed land actively depleting, risking fire and limiting natural resources. As viable lands shrink, urban drift intensifies. Smallhold farmers without knowledge or resources to promote sustainable agriculture in Andalusia move away in hopes of finding work in the city. For the many who met with failure, it is time for them to come home.

How to Make Smallholder Farming Profitable

Expanding sustainable agriculture in Andalusia will allow smallholder farmers struggling to grow their products in profitable ways an incentive to return to their holdings. Affordable, accessible ways to repair dead soil and improve access to water are increasingly available. Healthy soil acts as a sponge; to rebuild the soil is key to water stewardship.

Between the coasts and the olive groves, Andalusians traverse stretches of terrain on horseback. The land is harsh and unforgiving at times. Andalusian culture speaks to its past life as a Moorish outpost, as well as its Spanish ties. Olive trees and the famed jamón ibérico paint the landscape and provide important sources of revenue.

Today, sustainable agriculture in Andalusia is positioned not only to reclaim land lost to desertification, but also to create a vibrant agricultural economy that fights climate change and improves quality of life. Though the Spanish economy overall ranks at fourteenth in the world, this statistic masks the macroeconomic disparity of wealth among the autonomous regions.

Recent data reports that over 40 percent of the population in Andalusia lives in poverty. Abandoned holdings plus the failure of urban drift to create lasting jobs contribute to the spike in unemployment. However, the root and the solution to this problem can be found in the same place: the land.

Global Efforts

Desertification is a natural disaster occurring on a global scale. When the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification launched in 1994, the combined effort of member states to protect the welfare of populations living in drylands established this threat as a priority.

The resonating message from the last meeting is one of urgency. As desertification mushrooms across land, left in the wake of destruction are not only the environment, but also the livelihoods of the people who are sustained by it.

Rebuilding the Andalusian Farming Culture

Danyadara, a grassroots organization nestled in the foothills of the Sierra de Grazalema, is drawing from the region’s long history of human interaction with and reliance upon the land in order to provide a working example of sustainable agriculture. Cost-effective ways to improve soil and manage water are showcased on their property, where a formerly barren field grows into a thriving food forest.

For the many Andalusians that only know poverty, the current situation only reaffirms their way of life. But this passive acceptance may fade as sustainable agricultural investment blossoms.

Danyadara recognizes that Andalusia is positioned to be a leader in small-scale sustainable agriculture. Efforts of the small staff and volunteers are directed at not only regenerating their own land, but also sharing knowledge and resources with the community. Their methods are three pronged: bring back the soil, improve water stewardship and increase carbon sequestration. Detailed information on their projects can be found in both Spanish and English on their website.

Climate Farming

Sustainable agriculture in Andalusia, or climate farming as it is sometimes called, is a vehicle for job creation and investment. The historic dehesa-style of farming is a natural stepping-stone toward climate farming and sustainable agriculture. It encourages biodiversity, the replanting of grasslands and enables a no-till farming structure that is important in the fight against climate change.

“For us, the biggest game changer will be when we can share no-till seeding technology with our neighbors,” said Jacob Evans, Farm Manager at Danyadara. “Our host site, Suryalila Retreat Centre, enables a hyper-focus on soil health since the land is a gift. Once we show people that it is possible to seed without tilling, keeping the soil intact, the lessons and gifts from the older generation will come full-circle.”

– Andrea Blumenstein

Photo: Wikimedia Commons