BACKGROUND PAPERS
Background Paper 1: Agricultural Biodiversity
Background Paper 2: Bioenergy
Background Paper 3: Drylands
Background Paper 4: Environment and Trade
Background Paper 5: Research and Technology
Background Paper 6: Water

Paper prepared for FAO/Netherlands Conference
on " The Multifunctional Character
of Agriculture and Land"

Table of Contents

Introducing the Six Background Papers

Acknowledgements

Summary Background Paper 1: Agricultural Biodiversity

Summary Background Paper 2: Bioenergy

Summary Background Paper 3: Drylands

Summary Background Paper 4: Environment and Trade

Summary Background Paper 5: Research and Technology

Summary Background Paper 6: Water

Sustaining the Multiple Functions of Agricultural Biodiversity.
Background Paper 1: Agricultural Biodiversity.

Acknowledgements

Introduction

The MFCAL Approach

The multiple functions of agricultural biodiversity

i) Agricultural biodiversity's contributions to food and livelihood security

ii) Agricultural biodiversity's contributions to production and environmental sustainability

iii) Agricultural biodiversity's contributions to rural development

Underlying causes of agricultural biodiversity losses

The neglect of indigenous knowledge, local institutions and management systems

The dominance of blueprint paradigms and policies

Corporate interests

Inequitable tenure and control over resources

Market pressures and the undervaluation of agricultural biodiversity

Demographic factors

Options for sustaining agricultural biodiversity and its multiple functions

1. Expand knowledge on the dynamics of agricultural biodiversity

2. Increase the effective use of agricultural biodiversity in food and fibre production

3. Promote local adaptive management of agricultural biodiversity

4. Support local participation in planning, management and evaluation

5. Transform bureaucracies and professional practice

6. Strengthen local rights and security of tenure

7. Reform trade-related policies, markets and economic incentives

References

The Multifunctional Character of Agriculture and Land: the energy function.
Background Paper 2: Bioenergy.

1. Biomass energy

1.1 Trends in per capita total biomass use.

1.2 The agricultural role: past and present.

2. Bioenergy and the role of agriculture in the international energy scenario.

3. The role of agriculture in energy consumption, production, and CO2 mitigation.

3.1 The technical dimension - including new paths

4. Energy crops and residues.

4.1 Agricultural residues

4.2 Energy crops

4.3 Forestry residues

4.4 Livestock residues

5. Environmental, health and socio-economic aspects

5.1. Environment.

5.1.1 The implications of the Kyoto Protocol (KP).

5.2 Socio-economics.

5.2.1 Rural infrastructure support.

5.2.2 Employment

6. Agriculture and climate change implications

7. Land rehabilitation, food production and biodiversity.

7.1 Food versus fuel production.

8. Policy approaches to agriculture and energy

8.1 Sustainable agriculture and bioenergy

8. 2 Bioenergy and rural development

9. Conclusions and policy recommendations.

9.1 Policy Recommendations

Policies and institutions

Research, development and extension

Projects and financing

References

Drylands and the MFCAL Approach.
Background Paper 3: Drylands.

Introduction

1. MFCAL and Drylands: the issues at stake

The MFCAL Approach

1.2 The Characteristics of Drylands

FAO classification of drylands

1.3 Agriculture and land uses in Drylands

1.4 Desertification: problems and responses

1. Identifying the Problem

2. Describing the Responses

1.5 MFCAL challenges for drylands development

2. The Assessment of case studies

2.1 Presentation of case studies

2.1.1 Selection and assessment criteria

2.1.2 General overview of selected case studies

2.2 Analysis of case studies

2.3 Lessons learnt from case study assessment

3. The MFCAL APPROACH AND DRYLANDS DEVELOPMENT: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

3.1 Project management level

3.2 Macroeconomic and policy level

3.3 Conclusions and recommendations

References

Environment, Trade and SARD: Concepts, Issues and Tools.
Background Paper 4: Environment and Trade.

Introduction.

Trade Policy and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS ON TRADE, ENVIRONMENT AND SARD

The World Trade Organization and the Uruguay Round Agreements

GATT/WTO Principles Regarding Trade-Related Environmental Measures

The Agreement on Agriculture

Other WTO Agreements Related to Trade and the Environment

The Committee on Trade and the Environment

Multilateral Environmental Agreements

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Convention on Climate Change

Potential Conflicts between MEAs and the WTO

CONCEPTS AND TOOLS

Identifying and Measuring Externalities

Risk assessment and risk management

Valuation and monetisation

Issues of Concern for Developing Countries

Compliance Costs

Production and Processing Methods

Eco-labelling

Harmonisation

POLICIES FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

THE WAY FORWARD

Research and Technology and the Multifunctional Character of Agriculture and Land.
Background Paper 5: Research and Technology.

Acknowledgements

Introduction

The MFCAL Approach

Applying the MFCAL Approach to the Work of the IARCs

Food Security

Natural Resource Management

Socio-economic Conditions and Policy

Institutional Strengthening

Technologies that enhance the synergies in MFCAL

Available technologies

Required Areas of Technological Development and Innovation

MFCAL-Related Research Activities at IARCs

The Contribution of Blue Water and Green Water to the Multifunctional Character of Agriculture and Land.
Background Paper 6: Water

Acknowledgements

Introduction

The MFCAL Approach

Water and food requirements

The impact of changing contexts on the MFCAL

Exploring the Multiple functions of green water

Green water and plant nutrients - basis for agricultural production

Flows and stocks of green water and blue water

Land-use and green water consumption

Green and blue water in rainfed and irrigated agriculture

The multiple functions of blue water

Blue water in irrigated agriculture

Irrigated agriculture faces increasing competition for water

Trade-offs between alternative water uses

Food production, environmental and social sustainability in various regions

Pastoralism in arid lands

Rainfed biomass production in semi-arid lands

Potential of old non-conventional water management techniques

Rainfed agriculture in tropical humid zones

Rainfed agriculture in the temperate humid zones