Files
Details
Title
Forestry in Agriculture: The Vision of Landcare
Author(s)
Garrity, Dennis P.
Issue Date
Aug 16 2005
Publication Type
Conference Paper/ Presentation
DOI and Other Identifiers
10.22004/ag.econ.124408
Record Identifier
https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/124408
PURL Identifier
http://purl.umn.edu/124408
Language
English
Total Pages
7
Note
Australia is a vast, dry continent that faces huge
challenges in reversing its land degradation processes
to achieve a sustainable future. Many of
these challenges are similar to those in much of
the developing world. Australia is forthrightly tackling
them with innovative solutions, and has become
a global leader in the science and practice of
agroforestry: the integration of trees into farming
landscapes to enhance farm productivity, protect
the environment and revitalise farming communities.
Many of the greatest environmental problems
(soil erosion, salinisation, declining soil productivity,
fire, biodiversity loss) turn out to be a commercial
opportunity when a farmer considers agroforestry
in addressing them. Australia is fortunate in having
developed a dynamic economy that can afford to
invest in land regeneration. Unfortunately, most
developing countries are too poor to do the same.
Australia’s advances in agroforestry enable it to
contribute to achieving the end of desperate poverty
and regenerating the natural resource base in
the developing world. Already it has contributed
many productive tree species, such as the eucalypts
and grevillia, to smallholder agroforestry
around the world. These have made remarkable
contributions in countries such as Ethiopia and
Rwanda, among many others. Likewise, Australia’s
renowned model for community action to address
land degradation — Landcare — is taking root in
the developing world and spreading rapidly. Already,
the Philippines, South Africa and Uganda
have evolved vibrant Landcare movements; and
many other countries are enthusiastically exploring
it. These successes have spawned Landcare International,
a new global association that supports
worldwide efforts to advance the Landcare agenda.
Australia has great comparative advantages in extending
its scientific and institutional experience in
advancing agroforestry and Landcare in the developing
world. It would do well to focus more of its
international aid investment in this area in order to
capitalise on these natural advantages.