The contribution of sustainable agriculture and land management to sustainable development

The past decades have witnessed a dramatic change in agric��t�re with ���d pr�d�c� ti�n s�aring d�e t� the Green Rev���ti�n. The Green Rev���ti�n entai�ed the �se �� impr�ved techn���gies (partic��ar�y the breeding �� high yie�ding ���d cr�p varie� ties), the expansi�n �� irrigati�n, mechaniza� ti�n, specia�izati�n, and the �se �� chemica� �erti�izers and pesticides. Whi�e the Rev���� ti�n �ed t� dramatic pr�d�cti�n increases especia��y in Asia and Latin America in the 1960s and 1970s, the increase in pr�d�c� ti�n was n�t s�stainab�e. Rice yie�d gr�wth in Asia dec�ined sharp�y in the 1980s, �r�m an ann�a� gr�wth rate �� 2.6% in the 1970s t� 1.5% d�ring the peri�d beginning in 1981, �wing part�y t� increasing prices �� chemica� �erti�izer and agr�chemica�s (pesticides and herbicides). M�re imp�rtant�y, despite the pr�d�ctivity gains ass�ciated with the Green Rev���ti�n, p�verty and h�nger persist whi�e �and degradati�n and agric��t�re�re�ated envir�nmenta� damage are preva�ent and �nabated. FAO’s estimates indicate that, even be��re the recent ���d crisis, 848 mi��i�n pe�� p�e s�ffered �r�m chr�nic h�nger w�r�dwide between 2003 and 2005, 98% �� wh�m �ived in deve��ping c��ntries. Issue 7 May 2009