Abstract

Land degradation and desertification (LDD) and climate change are having increased effects in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) impacting the livelihoods of about 410 million people. Agriculture is a vital sector, contributing on average 14% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (excluding oil producing countries) and providing jobs and incomes for 38% of the region’s economically active population. Nevertheless, most NENA countries import at least 50% of the calories they consume. Furthermore, it is estimated that the total area that is desertified or is vulnerable to desertification cover 9.84 million km2 or about 86.7% of the total NENA region. Soil erosion by water, wind, and sand and dust storms (SDS) cause losses of about USD 13 billion of GDP each year. To confront these hardships, the region must endorse proper land use planning, prioritization of target areas for restoration and adoption of sustainable land and water management (SLWM) to reverse the situation. This paper analyses the inter-linkages between LDD, resource base management and food security under different scenarios and offers mitigation and remediation options. These include knowledge management and sharing; establishment of a regional platform to facilitate dialogue; public and private investment opportunities; provision of tools to scale-out sustainable land and water management options; and creation of a conducive enabling environment supported by policies and strategies. The paper provides policy and decision-makers with priority actions and options to enhance productivity, and combat land degradation to improve food security in the region.

Highlights

  • These include knowledge management and sharing; establishment of a regional platform to facilitate dialogue; public and private investment opportunities; provision of tools to scale-out sustainable land and water management options; and creation of a conducive enabling environment supported by policies and strategies

  • Impacts of land degradation and desertification (LDD) on livelihoods, environment, economic growth and migration are becoming more apparent throughout the Near East and North Africa region (NENA), a densely populated region with limited land and water resources for food production (Zdruli, 2014)

  • This paper provides examples of efforts and success stories from various countries in the NENA region

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Summary

Introduction

Impacts of land degradation and desertification (LDD) on livelihoods, environment, economic growth and migration are becoming more apparent throughout the Near East and North Africa region (NENA), a densely populated region with limited land and water resources for food production (Zdruli, 2014). SLWM and land use planning remain the key tools identified by many countries to achieve climate change targets through the NDC process (FAO, 2018a). There are several SDGs directly or indirectly linked to food security, natural resources management and planning They relate to ending hunger and achieving sustainable agriculture (SDG 2) (Lipper et al, 2020); protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes (SDG 6); protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems and promoting sustainable use of land (SDG 15), and combating climate change and its impacts (SDG 13). Unfavourable climatic conditions (imposed by climate change/variability) coupled with mismanagement of resources leads to degradation and vulnerability, while favorable human activities, such as selecting proper land use types and implementing SLWM practices will enhance sustainability and resilience. Fana et al (2021) stated various options to cope with farmers’ vulnerability: improve rural infrastructure and facilities, devising an effective and responsive institutional setup for enhancing the capacities of smallholder farmers in the short-run and minimizing the likelihood of exposure and sensitivity in the long-run

Drivers and Processes of Land Degradation and Desertification
Opportunities
Immediate Actions to Promote SLWM in NENA
Investment Opportunities for SLWM in NENA
Findings
Conclusions
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