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FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS (FAO)
LAND AND WATER ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
Number 17
30 January 1998
Contents:
1.WATER REPORT 13
MANAGEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL DRAINAGE WATER QUALITY
2. NEGOTIATING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR
LAND
Structural and institutional guidelines for land resources
management in the 21st century
3. ESTUDIO FAO RIEGO Y DRENAJE 55
LUCHA CONTRA LA CONTAMINACION AGRICOLA DE LOS RECURSOS
HIDRICOS
4. NEWS FROM PEEM
WATER REPORT 13: MANAGEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL DRAINAGE WATER QUALITY
In humid regions, agricultural drainage is required to remove excess soil water in the plant root zone. In irrigated agriculture, drainage is of critical importance in controlling salinity and waterlogging. In seeking these benefits, drainage systems have sometimes led to adverse environmental impacts. Specifically, the disposal of low quality drainage effluent to water bodies has damaged some aquatic ecosystems, and inhibited the beneficial uses of the receiving water. Public pressure is growing for drainage systems to be planned in ways that ensure that important ecological habitats are preserved, and that agricultural practices do not impair water quality.
This technical document was prepared in response to public statements and societal concerns for environmental protection, and for a safe, secure and sustainable food production system. The need for this publication was identified by the Working Group on Drainage of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) and was fully supported by FAO.
The publication is intended for use by planners, irrigation and drainage engineers and environmental specialists. It will be useful in project identification for assessment of potential adverse water quality impacts of drainage disposal practices and identifying alternative mitigation technologies. In addition, monitoring programmes to collect desired information are suggested. The individual papers, prepared by specialists, were edited into a volume by Professor Chandra Madramootoo, McGill University, Quebec, Canada; Mr. William R. Johnston, California, USA, and Professor Lyman S. Willardson, Utah State University, Utah, USA.
The publication is a welcome addition to FAO’s Water Reports series. It is hoped that the document will serve to improve the design, installation and operation of drainage systems. This in turn will improve the productivity of poorly drained cropland, and ensure that the twin objectives of food production and preservation of water quality are harmoniously achieved.
FAO Water Report 13
Management of agricultural drainage water quality
94 pages,
ISBN: 92-5-104058-3
US$ 12,-
To order: send request to publications-sales@fao.org
or online through FAO's interactive
Publications Catalogue: Http://www.fao.org/catalog/giphome.htm.
For further information, contact Arumugam Kandiah: Arumugam.Kandiah@fao.org
Return to the Table of Contents of the 17th
issue of Land-and-water-l
NEGOTIATING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR
LAND
Structural and institutional guidelines for land resources
management in the 21st century
In this working document the key issues that are believed to interfere with integrated resource management are confronted. A strategy for change is also suggested.
The strategy proposed is not unique, nor in a sense is it new,
since most of the components have been around for some time. What
has been tried is to combine them into one integrated and logical
framework. Land-use, the factors which control it, and the
ecological consequences, are extremely complex. The apparent
simplicity of the following proposals results from years of
collective development experience and months of discussion. The
logic of an improved approach must be easily grasped by busy
people. It is planned to follow up the present publication with a
detailed implementation manual. In order to link the community,
information and policy settings to achieve integrated land
management five major tasks have been identified:
1. removing constraints, providing incentives and developing
improved technology;
2. creating institutional arrangements for involving stakeholders
in management;
3. establishment of efficient and effective land resources
management through a network of groups;
4. creating information systems which are accessible to all;
5. providing technical support for decision making.
These actions provide a framework for this document. The terms
land management and resource management have been used
interchangeably. Environmental management terminology tends to
apply the word "resource" to all manageable variables in the
landscape, community or biome, from soil and water to genetic
biodiversity, labour and legislation. A manager of integrated
natural resources systems cannot afford to be ignorant of, or
isolated from, any of these factors. That is one of the key
messages within this document.
Interested people or agencies are invited to try out the ideas presented in this work, provide feedback on their application, and join to develop more fully a working set of guidelines for future use by everyone who can see the need for change.
Negotiating a sustainable future for land,
structural and institutional guidelines for land resources
management in the 21st century.
61 pages.
Free of charge.
This document is available on the Internet at:
http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGL/AGLS/a.htm,
under downloadable documents click:
'Negotiating a sustainable future for land, structural and
institutional guidelines for land resources management in the
21st century'.
For further information, contact Andrea Kutter: Andrea.Kutter@fao.org
LUCHA CONTRA LA CONTAMINACION AGRICOLA DE LOS RECURSOS HIDRICOS
La contaminacion ambiental es un grave problema de alcance mundial. Cuando se especifican las fuentes de contaminacion del agua, la agricultura ocupa, cada vez con mayor frequencia, lugar destacado. En la medida en que las iniciativas se orientan a corregir los abusos cometidos contra sus recursos hidricos, se hace mas necesario determinar las causas de la degradacion de la calidad del agua y cuantificar la contribucion de los numerosos factores de contaminacion. Mientras que la investigacion no permita disponer de informacion suficiente para determinar las causas y origenes, continuaran multiplicandose las opiniones contradictorias, y los programas destinados a acabar con la contaminacion o a reducirla seran menos eficaces y eficientes en el uso de unos recursos limitados.
Es conocido que las actividades agricoles pueden contribuir al deterioro de la calidad del agua mediante la descarga de varios materales: sedimentos, plaguicidas, abobons animales, fertilizantes y otras fuentas de materia organica e inorganica. Muchos de estos contaminantes llegan a los recursos superficiales y subterraneos como conscuencia de fenomenos muy generalizados de escorrentia y percolacion y, por lo tanto, se conocen con el nombre de fuentes "no localizadas". La identificacion, cuantificacion y supresion de la conteminacion es mas dificil en esos casos que cuando esta procede de fuentes "localizadas".
La FAO tiene como mandato mejorar la nutricion y elevar los nivelles de vida, y, en la aplicacion de esto mandato, promueve el desarrollo agricola y la seguridad alimentaria nacional. La FAO esta igualmente comprometida con el desarollo sostenible y, por ello, ha dado prioridad al desarrollo agricola sostenible. En este contexto, la Organizacion reconoce el papel fundamental del agua en el desarrollo agricola y ha adoptado un ambicioso Programa Ordinario de fomento y ordenacion de los recursos hidricos. Una de las esferas de actividad de este programa es el control de la calidad del agua, que supone, entre otras cosas, la lucha contra la contaminacion causada por las actividades agricolas, con especial referencia a las fuentes de contiminacion no localizadas.
Es precisamente en el marco de las actividades de ese Programa Ordinario donde se inicia la preperacion de este documento de "directrices" sobre el control y gestion de la contaminacion del agua como consecuencia de las actividades agricolas. El objectivo es determinar la naturaleza y repercusiones de la influencia de la agricultura en la calidad del agua, y establecer un marco de referencia para las medidas practicas que deberan adoptar los profesionales y autoridades competentes con el fin de combatir la contaminacion del agua.
La Organizacion reconoce que la preperacion de las directives no es mas que en comienzo de un largo proceso de ayuda a los Astados Miembras para que adquieran la capcidad nacional necesaria y puedan poner en practica programas para combatir la contaminacion del aqua provocada por la agricultura. La presente publicacion se difundira ampliamente entre los Estados Miembros y organizaciones nacionales e internacionales pertinentes. Se espera que a raiz de ella se convoquen seminarios regionales y nacionales, con movilizacion de fondos extrapresupuestariospara este fin.
La Organizacion agradece la aportacion del Canada Centre for Inland waters, Ministerio del Medio Ambiente de Canada, y la competente ayuda del Dr. E. Ongley en la preparacion de este documento.
Estudio FAO Riego y drenaje 55
Lucha contra la contaminacion agricola de los recursos
hidricos.
115 pajinas
ISBN: 92-5-303875-6
Precio: US$ 12,-
Para ordenar: enviar solicitud a publications-sales@fao.org
o bien utilice el catalogue interactiva de la FAO: Http://www.fao.org/catalog/giphome.htm
Para mejores informaciones, dirijase a Arumugam Kandiah: Arumugam.Kandiah@fao.org
The joint WHO/FAO/UNEP/UNCHS Panel of Experts on Environmental Management for Vector Control (PEEM) completed two important capacity building activities in the last three months of 1997.
From 29 September to 3 October a regional workshop cost-effectiveness analysis of disease vector control was hosted by the Faculty of Tropical Medicine of Mahidol University in Bangkok. The Faculty is a PEEM Collaborating Centre since 1988. And, from 10 to 29 November, the 5th DBL/PEEM/HIP training course "Health Opportunities in Water Resources Development" was held at the Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI) in Aurangabad, India. Two PEEM Collaborating Centres have played a crucial role in the development and running of this course since 1992: the Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. For the course in India, a third Collaborating Centre, the Malaria Research Centre, Delhi, served as national counterpart. The report of the Bangkok workshop is already available from the PEEM secretariat, and the report of the India training course will be published in March 1998. Below, some salient features and outputs of the two activities are presented.
The workshop on cost-effectiveness analysis of disease vector control was held for 16 participants from 8 Member States in WHO’s South-East Asia Region. Participants consisted of managers of both national and municipal vector control programmes, whose attendance was made possible through support from WHO/SEARO.
The workshop’s programme followed the structure of PEEM Guidelines 3, Guidelines for Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Vector Control with four thematic days : planning of the analysis, cost calculations, estimation of effectiveness and data analysis and presentation of the outcome. Every day started with an introductory presentation of the subject theme, followed by working group sessions. Each country had prepared a case study, and the working groups went through the analysis step-by-step, using a case study of their choice as the context. Technical support was provided by a local resource person, Professor Pongsa Pornchaiwiseskul of Chulalongkorn University. At the end of the workshop participants made recommendations for issues that should be covered in more detail in the next edition of the guidelines, and for follow-up action at the country level. From several countries proposals are expected for much needed in-depth case studies that will shed more light on, for example, the cost-effectiveness of impregnated mosquito net programmes compared to the more conventional house spraying operations. A limited number of sets of overhead transparencies produced for this workshop are available from the PEEM secretariat, WHO, Geneva.
The training course Health Opportunities in Water Resources Development was held in Aurangabad from 10 to 27 November, for twenty middle-level managers from relevant Government Departments in four states of India (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu). The objective specific to this course was to develop the capacity of each participant, irrespective of his/her sectoral affiliation, to adequately take part in the intersectoral decision making process of water resources development projects and to ensure that human health considerations are included in the crucial decision making moments of the project cycle. All participants successfully completed the course. This meant they completed six Tasks, focusing on the planning and appraisal of health impact assessments, and the formulation of an intersectoral action plan. These Tasks were carried out in a problem-based learning format, with a water resources development project from each state as the context. Field trips to irrigation projects nearby allowed direct observations and contact with communities affected by them. One of the concrete outputs of the course was a set of generic terms of reference for health impact assessment, which will be made available to the Indian Authorities.
With this course, a series of five trial runs was completed. The international organizers are now making their final revisions of the course materials, which will be included in a course manual that is to be published later this year. The manual will allow training institutions in countries to organize the course with a minimum of external inputs. The course design is built around Tasks with the support of local resource persons and local non-expert tutors.
In addition, options are explored for institutionalizaton of the course at three centres of public administration and management in Africa. Adaptation of the course to a context of urban planning and management, with subsequent testing in South-East Asia is also on the programme.
For further information, contact Robert Bos, WHO, Geneva: Bos@who.ch
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS (FAO)
LAND AND WATER ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
Number 18
30 March 1998
Contents:
1. WATER REPORT 14
IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN SUPPORT OF FOOD SECURITY
2. WATER REPORT 15
IRRIGATION IN THE COUNTRIES OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION IN
FIGURES;
3. BOLETIN DE SUELOS DE LA FAO 68
MEDICION SOBRE EL TERRENO DE LA EROSION DEL SUELO Y DE LA
ESCORRENTIA.
4. BULLETIN PEDOLOGIQUE DE LA FAO
73
ZONAGE AGRO-ECOLOGIQUE, Directives;
WATER REPORT
14:
IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN SUPPORT OF FOOD
SECURITY
The World Food Summit (November 1996) adopted a Global Plan of Action to achieve the objective of food security. The Plan envisaged an effort to eradicate hunger in all countries, with an immediate view to reducing the number of undernourished people to half their present level no later than 2015. The Plan of Action consists of a set of specific recommendations to be implemented by governments in partnership with all actors of civil society, and with the support of international institutions, which among others, includes:
* developing appropriate national and regional policies and
plans for water and watersheds, and water management techniques;
and
* promoting economically- and environmentally-sound irrigation
management, in particular for small-scale irrigation, and
sustainable intensification of rainfed agriculture.
Food security is a complex issue. Many factors influence a nation’s food security status. However, for many developing countries, increasing national agricultural production will be a major contributing factor to food security. Water, among others, plays a critical role in increasing agricultural production.
The Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) was launched by FAO in 1994 to assist low-income-food-deficit countries to boost food production in order to meet rapidly growing demands and help eradicate food insecurity. The programme is designed for a phased implementation. The phases include: (i) exploratory mission; (ii) formulation of the national programme; (iii) implementation of the pilot phase; and (iv) expansion phase. The Programme is being implemented in some 29 countries and in a majority of them the pilot phase has begun. The pilot phase consists of four elements: water control, intensification, diversification and analysis of constraints to food security.
In order to ensure that the SPFS and other efforts successfully achieve food security there is an urgent need to create an enabling environment at national and local levels. This environment will allow the management of natural resources, improve access to modern and cost-effective technologies and mobilize human and financial resources for accelerated agricultural development.
A number of studies carried out on irrigation development in sub-Saharan Africa during the last two decades indicated that, among others, lack of access to affordable and water-saving irrigation technologies, particularly by small-scale farmers, was a major constraint to irrigation development. This prompted FAO and the International Program for Technology Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID) jointly to launch a series of missions on irrigation technology transfer and adoption in selected countries in East and Southern Africa. The missions confirmed the hypotheses that: (a) there is under-utilized potential of rainfed lands which are close to water sources and could therefore be irrigated. If low-cost pumping is made available it would increase local production significantly; (b) the involvement of the private sector in the manufacture, supply and servicing of equipment for small-scale irrigation is essential to make equipment easily accessible to farmers; and (c) irrigation equipment in East and Southern African countries is much more expensive than in Asian countries, in general, and particularly in India and China (up to five times). Promotion of irrigation technology transfer and adoption is, therefore, one of the key elements to achieve food security in developing nations.
This Subregional Workshop on Irrigation Technology Transfer in Support of Food Security was organized to share the findings of the missions and other relevant information related to the subject with the stakeholders of small-scale irrigation development in East and Southern African countries and formulate a plan of action to promote irrigation technology transfer and adoption in support of small-scale irrigation development and thereby contribute to food security. The Workshop was funded by FAO, IPTRID and the Global Water Partnership (GWP). It was attended by some sixty participants including government-nominated experts, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), irrigation equipment manufacturers and suppliers (private sector), resource persons, representatives of specialized institutions, and multi- and bilateral agencies. The Workshop discussed the issues and opportunities in irrigation technology transfer and adoption and recommended actions to be undertaken by national governments in collaboration with NGOs, the private sector and relevant international institutions.
The Proceedings contain two main parts. Part I presents the recommendations of the Workshop adopted by the participants at the plenary session and the recommendations of the Working Groups. Part II contains the technical papers presented by resource persons and representatives of the irrigation equipment manufacturing and supplying sector. The papers have been edited and condensed, where necessary, to keep within limits specified for the publication. The annexes provide related information such as a summary report of the Workshop, opening and closing addresses and the programme.
FAO Water Report 14
Irrigation technology transfer in support of food security
191 pages,
ISBN: 92-5-104072-9
Price: US$ 19,-
To order: send request to publications-sales@fao.org
or online through FAO's interactive
Publications Catalogue: Http://www.fao.org/catalog/giphome.htm.
For further information, contact Arumugam Kandiah: Arumugam.Kandiah@fao.org
WATER REPORT
15:
IRRIGATION IN THE COUNTRIES OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION IN
FIGURES
FAO’s AQUASTAT programme, initiated in 1993, aims to meet the demand for information on water resources and use at regional level, with particular emphasis on irrigation and drainage. The objectives of the programme are to collect and present, in a systematic way, data on rural water use at country level.
With an area of more than 22 million km², the former Soviet Union (FSU) covers about 17% of the world and presents a wide range of climatic and physiographic situations, from the arctic zones of Siberia to the arid deserts of Central Asia.
To these conditions correspond a large variety of agricultural water management situations. Irrigation predominates in the Central Asian countries (in total, the FSU countries concentrate about 9% of the world’s irrigated land), while in the temperate countries of the north drainage is of major importance to agricultural productivity.
The FSU countries are currently in a transitional period which is affecting the agricultural sector. New policies are being designed and implemented, new institutional structures are replacing those of the Soviet Union and, in general, the move towards a market-oriented economy is inducing rapid changes in cropping patterns. These changes have a direct and often radical impact on irrigation and drainage, with major challenges to come in the fields of irrigation management transfer and infrastructure maintenance.
Furthermore, the issues related to international water courses and the stress on water resources in the most arid parts of the FSU represent another challenge to the new countries. Their governments now have to develop mechanisms for the sustainable management of their water resources.
This publication presents a description of the irrigation and drainage subsector in the FSU countries, with relevant tables and maps, together with a regional synopsis. It is hoped that the information provided here will be of use to all those interested in issues related to water resources management, irrigation and drainage in the region.
FAO Water Report 15
Irrigation in the countries of the former Soviet Union in
figures
226 pages,
ISBN: 92-5-104070-0
Price: US$ 29,-
To order: send request to publications-sales@fao.org
or online through FAO's interactive
Publications Catalogue: Http://www.fao.org/catalog/giphome.htm.
The main results of the AQUASTAT survey for the countries of
the former Soviet Union, have been placed on the World Wide Web,
together with the results of earlier AQUASTAT surveys of the Near
East region, and for Africa. They are available at the following
URL:
Http://www.fao.org/waicent/faoinfo/agricult/agl/aglw/aquastat/aquastat.htm
For further information, contact Jean-Marc Faurès: JeanMarc.Faures@fao.org
BOLETIN DE SUELOS
DE LA FAO 68
MEDICION SOBRE EL TERRENO DE LA EROSION DEL SUELO Y DE LA
ESCORRENTIA
A medida que se agrava el problema de la erosión de los suelos, los técnicos en el campo tienen que ocuparse cada día más de la tarea de medir o de evaluar la erosión y la escorrentía. El tema es complejo y son pocos los libros de texto o manuales disponibles sobre el mismo. Como resultado de ello, se ha desperdiciado mucho tiempo, esfuerzo y dinero en trabajos que han dado escasa información útil. Numerosos experimentos, en particular los relacionados con las parcelas y los vertederos para medir la escorrentía, se han abandonado, ya sea por ser poco prácticos, por su concepción defectuosa o por ser demasiado lentos para aportar el tipo de información deseada.
El principal objetivo de este Boletín de Suelos es el de sugerir métodos y técnicas sencillos que puedan ser utilizados por el personal de campo que no realiza investigaciones, pero que tiene necesidad de datos sobre la escorrentía y la erosión. Aunque este Boletín no está destinado a investigadores profesionales o académicos, contiene recomendaciones concretas acerca de la necesidad de que el diseño y el análisis experimental sean aplicables a todo tipo de experimentaciones.
Las simples mediciones sobre el terreno son en general técnicamente poco apreciadas y se considera que carecen de validez científica. Sin embargo, si han sido concebidas adecuadamente y efectuadas cuidadosamente pueden aportar datos válidos. Su ventaja reside en la posibilidad de tomar un gran número de mediciones a bajo costo y con personal de nivel intermedio y a la vez obtener resultados que son más útiles y significativos para el agricultor y el extensionista que los experimentos más complejos realizados en una lejana estación experimental.
Al preparar el presente Boletín, la bibliografía se ha limitado a la documentación accesible para los lectores que desean obtener más información; se agrega una lista de otras obras de consulta la cual sin embargo está fuera de los objetivos del presente Boletín.
Boletin de Suelos de la FAO 68:
Medicion sobre el terreno de la erosion del suelo y de la
escorrentia.
147 pajinas
ISBN: 92-5-303406-8
Precio: US$ 17
Para ordenar: enviar solicitud a publications-sales@fao.org
o bien utilice el catalogue interactiva de la FAO: Http://www.fao.org/catalog/giphome.htm.
Para mejores informaciones, dirijase a Jose R. Benites: Jose.Benites@fao.org
BULLETIN
PEDOLOGIQUE DE LA FAO 73:
ZONAGE AGRO-ECOLOGIQUE
Dans la plupart des pays en développement, l’affectation des ressources en terres à divers types d’utilisations, et prioritairement à la production de nourriture, est avant tout dictée par les besoins socio-économiques de populations à croissance accélérée. Une pression démographique élevée et l’augmentation concomitante de la compétition entre les différents types d’exploitants des terres ont accru le besoin de planification et de gestion des ressources en terres. Pour les gouvernements et pour ceux qui utilisent des terres, c’est une question de la plus haute importance que de préserver les ressources en terres grâce à leur utilisation rationnelle et durable et ce, pour le bénéfice des populations présentes et à venir.
Les responsables politiques et les exploitants des terres font face à deux défis majeurs: il faut renverser la tendance à la dégradation des terres que connaissent les zones déjà cultivées, en améliorant les conditions et en rétablissant leur niveau de fertilité ; et il faut empêcher la dégradation des ressources en terres dans les zones pionnières par une distribution équitable et par un utilisation appropriée de ces ressources, de manière à maintenir leur productivité et à minimiser leur érosion. Dans les deux cas, le facteur clé est une approche intégrée des aménagements et de la gestion des ressources en terres ; cette solution garantit que les terres sont bien destinées aux utilisations générant les bénéfices les plus importants et les plus durables. La FAO a encouragé les aménagements et la gestion intégrée des ressources en terres en coopération avec des institutions régionales, avec certains pays ainsi qu'avec des exploitants agricoles.
Durant les deux dernières décennies, la FAO a développé et a appliqué avec succès la méthodologie des zones agro-écologiques (ZAE) et l'ensembles des logiciels qui la renforcent, afin d’analyser des solutions à divers problèmes posés par l’aménagement et la gestion des ressources en terres pour un développement agricole durable aux échelons régionaux, nationaux et sub-nationaux. Les questions abordées incluent les connexions entre les productions dérivées de l’utilisation des terres et d’autres objectifs de développement dans des domaines tels que la production et l’auto-suffisance alimentaire, les exigences des cultures de rente, les contraintes liées à la fertilité des sols, les risques d’érosion et la dégradation des terres.
Etant donné le développement des méthodes ZAE et de leurs applications aux niveaux global, national, de district et de sub-district, un besoin impérieux a été ressenti; il fallait développer à la fois une terminologie et un ensemble de directives en vue d'adapter l’échelle et l’étendue des problèmes de développement agricole aux degrés correspondants de détail dans la description des ressources en terres ZAE et faciliter ainsi la compréhension et l'exploitation de la volumineuse documentation ZAE. Ces directives sont censées combler ce fossé. Elles sont conçues comme un guide pour les spécialistes en ressources en terres, pour les gestionnaires de l’usage des terres et pour d’autres utilisateurs souhaitant concevoir et mettre en oeuvre des études ZAE tout en comprenant leur approche: ses concepts et méthodes, la séquence des activités impliquées et les outils utilisés, son fondement et ses applications. Ces directives se veulent également un matériel de formation et de pratique destiné aux cours ou aux séminaires traitant de l’évaluation agro-écologique des ressources en terres.
Bulletin Pedologique de la FAO 73:
Zonage agro-écologique - Directives.
ISBN 92-5-203890-6
82 pages
Prix: 10,- $E.U.
Renseignements et commandes: Publications-sales@fao.org
ou par le catalogue interactif de
publications de la FAO: Http://www.fao.org/catalog/giphome.htm.
Si vous desirez plus d'information technique, envoyez un mel a Jacques Antoine: Jacques.Antoine@fao.org
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED
NATIONS (FAO)
LAND AND WATER ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
Number 19
20 May 1998
Contents:
1. ORGANISATION DE STAGES SUR LA GESTION INTÉGRÉE DE LA RESSOURCE EAU
2. NEWS ON THE WEBSITE OF THE LAND AND WATER DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
Nous transmettons volontiers le message suivant concernant
l'organisation de stages sur la gestion intégrée de
la ressource eau. Pour tous renseignements, s'adresser
directement aux organisateurs dont les coordonnées sont
indiquées ci-dessous.
ORGANISATION DE STAGES SUR LA GESTION
INTÉGRÉE DE LA RESSOURCE EAU
Septembre - Décembre 1998
L'A.G.C.D. (Administration belge de la coopération au développement) et l'Institut Eco-Conseil organisent une formation en gestion intégrée de la ressource eau, adaptée selon les profils et projets des participants.
Dates: du 4 septembre au 7 décembre 1998, à Namur (Belgique).
Bénéficiaires: 20 stagiaires boursiers AGCD (dont 10 femmes) venant des pays en développement prioritaires pour l'A.G.C.D., et déjà responsables de projet en gestion de l'eau dans une municipalité ou une ONG.
La liste des pays prioritaires de l'AGCD sont les suivants: Afrique du Sud, Angola, Bénin, Bolivie, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodge, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equateur, Ethiopie, Kenya, Mali, Maroc, Niger, Ouganda, Palestine, Pérou, Philippines, Rwanda, Tanzanie, Tunisie et Vietnam.
Tout candidat peut demander le document complet de présentation, d'organisation et d'éligibilité à l'adresse suivante:
INSTITUT ECO-CONSEIL
Monsieur Guy CASTADOT, Directeur
Boulevard de Merckem, 7
B-5000 NAMUR (BELGIQUE)
Fax: 32.81.73.99.74
E-mail : econseil@skypro.be
NEWS ON THE WEBSITE OF THE LAND AND WATER DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
As part of the programme 'Land and Water Resources Information
System', a WWW-page has been provided with an extensive listing
of software, databases and decision support systems as available
at the Land and Water development division.
- http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FaoInfo/Agricult/agl/lwris.HTM
The World Wide Web site of the Water Service of the Land and
Water Development Division has undergone a major update. The
appearance of the Water Service pages has been changed to a more
user friendly environment in order to improve the accessibility
and readability of the Web-pages.
- http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGL/AGLW/AGLW.HTM
The information in the AQUASTAT-pages have been extended with
the survey of the countries of the Former Soviet Union, in
addition to the already available surveys of countries in Africa
and the Middle East. The figures in these already existing pages
have been updated to the latest information.
- http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGL/AGLW/aquastat/aquastat.htm
In the new pages the different services offered by the
FAO-Water Service to member countries have been presented. Part
of this is a question-and-answer-service regarding several water
related topics, including e-mail addresses of people to be
contacted.
- http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGL/AGLW/AGLW.HTM,
click on 'Services', and go to 'Knowledge and information
management'.
The computer programme for irrigation planning and management
CROPWAT, and it's climatic database CLIMWAT have been made easily
available to the public through an FTP-link. To download CROPWAT
or CLIMWAT select:
- http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGL/AGLW/AGLW.HTM,
click on 'Tools', click on 'CROPWAT' or 'CLIMWAT', from where the
links to the FTP-site can be reached.
The list of publications has been updated and a the following articles have been published in a on-line readable format:
The articles as listed above can be reached from:
- http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGL/AGLW/AGLW.HTM,
by clicking on 'AGLW-Publications', the links to the articles
will be found under 'Web-Publications'
For comments and feedback on the home page of the Water Service, please send an E-mail to Jippe Hoogeveen: Jippe.Hoogeveen@FAO.ORG
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS (FAO)
LAND AND WATER ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
Number 20
20 July 1998
Contents:
1. RAPPORT SUR L'EAU / WATER REPORT 16
TELEDETECTION ET RESSOURCES EN EAU / REMOTE SENSING AND WATER RESOURCES
2. WORLD SOIL RESOURCES REPORT 84
WORLD REFERENCE BASE FOR SOIL RESOURCES
3. TERMINOLOGY FOR INTEGRATED RESOURCES PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
RAPPORT SUR L'EAU / WATER REPORT 16: TELEDETECTION ET RESSOURCES EN EAU / REMOTE SENSING AND WATER RESOURCES
Cette publication presente les resultats d'un atelier international qui a ete organise a Montpellier en decembre 1995. A la suite d’une etude financee par la FAO et realisee conjointement par le Comite interafricain d’etudes hydrauliques (CIEH), le Laboratoire commun de teledetection Cemagref-Engref et le Laboratoire d’hydrologie de l’Orstom, il a paru opportun de valoriser les approches liees a l’utilisation de la teledetection et des systemes d’information geographique dans l’evaluation et la gestion des ressources en eau.
C’est dans cette optique qu’un atelier international a ete organise a Montpellier en decembre 1995. Son but etait de faire le point sur les techniques et methodes operationnelles d’utilisation de la teledetection pour l’evaluation et la gestion des ressources en eaux. L’accent a ete mis sur l’hydrologie de surface et sur des exemples d’application pratique de ces methodes. L’atelier s’est interesse tout particulierement aux problemes des pays arides et semi-arides en developpement pour lesquels ces techniques peuvent representer un atout important.
L’atelier a regroupe des experts venus de dix pays et des chercheurs et etudiants en hydrologie des Universites de Montpellier et Toulouse. Au total, l’atelier a compte une centaine de participants. Les conclusions presentees dans la synthese ont pour objectifs de clarifier l’apport des techniques de teledetection pour l’evaluation et la gestion des ressources en eaux, d’identifier les contraintes et potentialites des methodes existantes et de proposer des orientations pour la recherche et pour la diffusion des techniques.
This publication presents the results of an international workshop which was organized in Montpellier, France, in December 1995. The workshop originated from a study sponsored by FAO and executed jointly by the Comite interafricain d’etudes hydrauliques (CIEH), the Laboratoire commun de teledetection Cemagref-Engref (LCT) and Orstom (Institut francais de recherche en cooperation). The study investigated the potential use of remote sensing and geographic information systems in water resources assessment of small watersheds in semi-arid areas of West Africa.
This workshop was organized with the objective of reviewing the state of the art in the use of remote sensing for water resources assessment and management with special reference to operational techniques. Emphasis was placed on surface hydrology, with applications for arid and semi-arid areas in developing countries for which such techniques are believed to be of particular relevance.
The workshop gathered experts from ten countries, as well as researchers and students from Montpellier and Toulouse. In total, there were one hundred participants. The conclusions presented in the summary are intended to clarify the state of the art in application of remote sensing for water resources, to identify current constraints and potential of existing techniques and to suggest avenues for further research and more efficient technology transfer.
Rapport sur l'eau / Water Report: 16
Teledetection et ressources en eau / Remote sensing and water
resources
94 pages + 1 CD-ROM
ISBN: 92-5-004070-9
Prix: / Price: 20,- $EU / US$ 20,-
Renseignements et commandes: Publications-sales@fao.org ou par le catalogue interactif de publications de la FAO: Http://www.fao.org/catalog/giphome.htm
Si vous desirez plus d'information technique, envoyez un mel a Jean-Marc Faures: JeanMarc.Faures@fao.org.
To order: send request to publications-sales@fao.org or online through FAO's interactive Publications Catalogue: Http://www.fao.org/catalog/giphome.htm.
For further information, contact Jean-Marc Faures: JeanMarc.Faures@fao.org
WORLD SOIL RESOURCES REPORT 84: WORLD REFERENCE BASE FOR SOIL RESOURCES
This publication is a technical manual for soil scientists and soil correlators, designed to facilitate the exchange of information and experience and to provide a common scientific language to enhance communication with other disciplines.
After four years of intensive work since the 15th World Congress of Soil Science took place in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1994, three publications have been prepared on behalf of the Working Group Reference Base of the International Society of Soil Science, which highlight the present-day state of the art of the 'World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB)'. The publications comprise:
1. World Reference Base for Soil Resources: Introduction.
2. World Reference Base for Soil Resources: Atlas.
3. World Reference Base for Soil Resources.
The first publication aims to serve as a first entry into the knowledge of soil diversity and soil distribution, accessible to disciplines other than 'soil science sensu stricto' and to a wider public. The second is an atlas providing an overview of the distribution of the reference soil groups in the world. The third one, presented here, gives the definitions and diagnostic criteria of the soil horizons, soil properties and soil materials, and contains a key for classifying the reference soil groups and their qualifiers.
The publications have been made possible by the sustained efforts of a large group of expert authors, and the co-operation and logistic support of ISSS, ISRIC and FAO.
World Soil Resources Report 84
World Reference Base for Soil Resources
92 pages,
ISBN: 92-5-104141-5
Price: US 11,-
To order: send request to publications-sales@fao.org or online through FAO's interactive Publications Catalogue: Http://www.fao.org/catalog/giphome.htm.
For further information, contact Freddy Nachtergaele: Freddy.Nachtergaele
@fao.org
TERMINOLOGY FOR INTEGRATED RESOURCES PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
To achieve an integrated approach to the planning and management of land resources, the biophysical, socio-economic and legal attributes of the land should be identified and evaluated. In order to obtain optimal integration, co-operation among experts from the disciplines involved is required. This glossary aims to contribute to the development of a common technical language. The terms, methods and concepts used by the different sectors involved should be understood by all partners in an identical way, independent from their backgrounds and professional experiences. The terms and definitions included in this glossary encompass conservation and management of soil, (fresh-)water and vegetation, climate, farming systems, crop production, livestock and fish production; land tenure and sustainable development.
This document is available on the Internet at: http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGL/AGLS/a.htm, under downloadable documents click 'Terminology for Integrated Resources Planning and Management'.
Suggestions to improve this first version are most welcome.
They can be addressed to: Louisa Jansen: Louisa.Jansen@fao.org
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED
NATIONS (FAO)
LAND AND WATER ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
Number 21
15 September 1998
Contents:
2. NEW BOOK 1:
FIELD HYDROLOGY IN TROPICAL COUNTRIES: A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION
3. NEW BOOK 2:
LAND RESOURCES; NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE
4. FAO'S FIELD PROJECTS IN THE NILE BASIN ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
5. WEST AFRICAN WORKSHOP ON IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
6. FAO/NETHERLANDS CONFERENCE ON MULTIFUNCTIONAL AGRICULTURE AND LAND MANAGEMENT
THE INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR
TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH IN IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE (IPTRID) NOW
HOSTED BY FAO
The International Programme for Technology and Research in
Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID) has now moved to its new home
within the Water Resources, Development and Management Service
(AGLW), of the Land and Water Development Division (AGL), of the
FAO in Rome.
IPTRID is a partnership between international research
institutions, multi- and bilateral donors and six major
international institutions - Global Water Partnership (GWP), FAO,
The World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme,
International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and the
International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID).
IPTRID was founded in 1991 and originally hosted by the World
Bank. As part of its reorganisation, the programme has now moved
to the FAO, a more specialised organisation with a wealth of
expertise in irrigation. IPTRID's three-year action plan has four
priority areas:
- knowledge synthesis;
- national research and development;
- national capacity building; and
- knowledge dissemination through networks.
In order to support developing countries in their search for more
productive irrigation techniques, IPTRID is refocusing its
efforts toward synthesis and dissemination of knowledge and
capacity building to improve the application of research results
"on the ground". In this last area, ten existing country networks
will be strengthened and 12 new country networks will be set up.
In irrigation, as in many other fields, networking is
increasingly being used to transcend geographical boundaries and
make knowledge available to all who need it.
The IPTRID Central Network Partners, HR Wallingford (UK),
Cemagref (France), ILRI (Netherlands), USBR (USA), ICID Central
Office (India) and FAO continue to provide a range of services
and advice to irrigation and drainage professionals
world-wide.
The Programme Manager, Arumugam Kandiah, is supported in Rome by
Tom Brabben, the Regional Theme Manager (RTM) for East &
Southern Africa, giving particular attention to small-scale
irrigation, and by Alain Vidal, RTM for the Mediterranean Basin
with particular responsibility for water conservation. Bert
Smedema and Francois Gadelle remain associated with the Programme
and will be providing their skills and experience on Drainage and
Sustainability and on West Africa in particular. Hans Wolter,
Chief of AGLW, is chairman of the IPTRID Management
Committee.
Information about the programme and network can be found on the
IPTRID website: http://www.hrwallingford.co.uk/projects/IPTRID/
The Programme Office can be contacted via email to Arumugam.Kandiah@fao.org,
or by fax to +39 06 570 56275.
NEW BOOK 1:
FIELD HYDROLOGY IN TROPICAL COUNTRIES: A PRACTICAL
INTRODUCTION
By Henry Gunston
Making hydrological measurements in the field is an essential
part of water resources planning and management. Field Hydrology
in Tropical Countries is not a textbook, but an introduction to
the practical skills and knowledge required to take measurements
and to manage data collection programmes. The author draws on 30
years of experience of working in tropical countries, based with
the Institute of Hydrology at Wallingford, UK.
After describing the general principles of working with
observers, teams and road vehicles in the remote areas of
tropical countries (and how to avoid some of the pitfalls) the
author discusses in detail various methods of measuring rainfall,
streamflow and evaporation.
The book is well illustrated with diagrams of hydrological
equipment and how to use it, together with photographs of field
installations in countries as far afield as Kenya, Ecuador and
Sri Lanka, among others. Field Hydrology will be essential
reading for water resource professionals, academics, NGOs and
fieldworkers.
Henry Gunston is the Co-ordinator of the water resources research
programme at the Institute of Hydrology, Wallingford, UK, which
is funded by DFID (the British Government aid programme).
Paperback. ISBN 1 85339 427 0. 144pp. August 1998. GBP 12.95 plus
GBP 1.95 postage and packing in Europe, GBP 3.24 postage and
packing outside Europe
Intermediate Technology Publications, 103-105 Southampton Row,
London WC1B 4HH, UK. Tel +44 171 436 9761. Fax +44 171 436 2013.
E-mail orders@itpubs.org.uk.
NEW BOOK 2:
LAND RESOURCES; NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE
By Anthony Young
This book is intended to influence development policy. It
promotes awareness of the critical role of land resources in
sustainable development, and the need to improve land management.
It provides an authoritative review of of the resources of soils,
water, climate, forests and pastures, on which agriculture and
rural land use depend. Addressing the issues of erosion, loss of
soil fertility, deforestation and desertification, it is critical
of present methods of assessing land degradation and of placing
an economic value on land. It emphasises the link between land
resources and wider aspects of development, including population
and poverty. It shows that land available for food production is
less than previously estimated, and that unless action is taken,
the developing world will face recurrent problems of famine and
conflict. It provides a summary and prespective of the field of
land resources, gives some forcefuly expressed criticisms of
current methods, and suggests improvements needed to conserve
resources for future generations.
Anthony Young is Honorary Research Fellow in Environmental
Sciences at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
Cambridge University Press 1998, ISBN 0 521 59003 5, 319pp.
Price: GBP 45,- / US $75,-
For further information contact the author: Anthony.Young
@juvenis.demon.co.uk
FAO'S FIELD PROJECTS IN THE NILE BASIN
ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
FAO is assisting Nile Basin Countries in establishing balanced
capacity at national and regional level to manage international
river and groundwater resources. The regional Nile Basin program
includes the capacity building project "Nile Basin Water
Resources" together with the project "Lake Victoria Water
Resources". Both of these projects have now their own entry at
the World Wide Web:
The WWW-pages on the on "Nile Basin Water Resources" project can
be reached through the following URL:
http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGL/AGLW/projects/nile/flyer286.htm
WWW-pages on the "Lake Victoria Water Resources"- project can be
reached through:
http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGL/AGLW/projects/lakevic/default.htm
WEST AFRICAN WORKSHOP ON IRRIGATION
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
West-African Sub-Regional Workshop on Irrigation Technology
Transfer in Support of Food Security, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso,
30 November – 4 December 1998
Organized jointly by FAO, IPTRID, ICID and ARID.
The main subjects of the workshop are:
* A synthesis of low-cost technologies: what works and should be
promoted, what does not work, and what works elsewhere and should
be introduced and tested (low-cost drip systems for example)
* A discussion on the promotion of equipment to be imported from
outside Europe or USA, such as China and India, and would cost
about a third of the equipment that is presently promoted;
* A general assembly of a Regional Association on Irrigation and
Drainage that the international irrigation and drain, which would
link Africans to the international irrigation and drainage
community.
The main objective of the workshop is:
Reduce pumping and irrigation cost by at least 50%, which would
boost small-scale irrigation in the region.
Participants are invited by ARID. The proceedings of the
workshop will available through FAO.
Equipment manufacturers and importers who wish to expose
irrigation materials, equipment and documentation may contact
Reto Florin: Reto.Florin@fao.org
FAO/NETHERLANDS CONFERENCE ON
MULTIFUNCTIONAL AGRICULTURE AND LAND MANAGEMENT
This conference will be held in Maastricht, The Netherlands, 13 -
17 September 1999, with an expected participation of over 200
countries, international organizations and NGOs.
Its immediate objectives are:
* To review progress achieved since the Earth Summit (Rio de
Janeiro, 1992) in the implementation of Agenda-21 in terms of
sustainable agriculture and integrated land management, in
particular through a stocktaking of success stories and best
practices
* To identify and analyse the main issues to be addressed in
these areas, taking into account new elements that have emerged
since 1992 and the evolving nature of these issues. Topics such
as the relationships between food security and the multiple
functions of agriculture as well as participatory management of
land resources based on reconciling different stakeholder needs
will be high on the agenda.
The broader goal is to bring agriculture back to the fore by
focusing on current and upcoming challenges and on the new
instruments available to address them. A new and original
approach has been chosen for the definition of the scope of the
Conference: it is a participatory and bottom-up process whereby
NGOs, government institutions, research or training institutes
and the private sector can provide technical inputs and shape the
agenda.
To keep you informed of the process and progress on this
conference a WWW-site has been established:
http://www.fao.org/sd/agr99
For any additional information please contact the organising
committee:
agr99-conference@fao.org.
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS (FAO)
LAND AND WATER ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
Number 22
15 October 1998
Contents:
1. SUB-REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON LAND VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR FOOD SECURITY IN WEST AFRICA
4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE XIV INTERNATIONAL PLANT NUTRITION COLLOQUIUM
5. GUIDE TO EFFICIENT PLANT NUTRITION MANAGEMENT
6. CURRENT WORLD FERTILIZER SITUATION AND OUTLOOK
SUB-REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON LAND VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR FOOD SECURITY IN WEST AFRICA
FAO (RAF/AGL) organises a sub regional workshop on land vulnerability assessment for food security on 7-12 December 1998 in CENATEL, Cotonou, Benin.
Abstract: A meeting of land resources managers from 12 West African countries with emphasis on orientation and training on field use of land resources information in assessing and monitoring land vulnerability for sustainable food production and food security.
Objective: To establish a programme of co-operation among West African countries and with FAO in Land Resources Information systems and their application for land vulnerability assessment using a common methodology and through existing projects and regional networks.
Workshop topics:
* Present and discuss land resources and other information products required for assessing land vulnerability and review methodologies for land vulnerability assessment.
* Observe the latest developments in GIS-based Land and Water Resources Information Systems (LWRIS) and demonstrations of structure and contents of FAO LWRIS tools, including the prototype digital reports on the state of land, water and plant nutrient resources in selected countries and the African region for the Internet.
* Present and discuss experiences, in particular field experiences, in the use of LWRIS tools and information products.
* Present and discuss the results of country reports on land vulnerability assessment in selected West African countries.
* Make arrangements and linkages within existing networks for future collaboration in information reporting and exchange.
The proceedings of the workshop will be available through FAO. For more information please contact: Racim.Santanna@FAO.org or Jacques.Antoine@FAO.org
Serious problems of land degradation and rapidly declining production occur in large parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. They are caused by inappropriate land use or land management practices, which are themselves the consequences of the ever-growing pressures on land and water resources and rural poverty. FAO, together with countries of the region, is proposing the preparation and implementation of National Action Programmes (NAP) on conservation-effective land management and desertification control.
This document incorporates new concepts and mechanisms related to technology development and transfer, some of which emerged from the UN Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED). Biological and agronomic conservation practices are emphasized, as well as the farming systems concept and use of micro-catchments, since they have come to assume much greater importance in soil conservation than formerly. The adoption of participatory approaches, in which public and private sectors, local communities and land users are all involved in decision making, is stimulated at all stages and levels of the development process. The framework for formulating and implementing NAP will give all participants in the development process a clearer vision of how best to achieve an optimal planning for the sustainable utilization and improvement of their land and water resources. It will also facilitate governments’ requests for external funding.
A New Framework for Conservation-effective Land Management and Desertification Control in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Guidelines for the Preparation and Implementation of National Action Programmes.
20 pages.
To order: send request to publications-sales@fao.org or online through FAO's interactive
Publications Catalogue: Http://www.fao.org/catalog/giphome.htm.
For further information, contact Jean Claude Griesbach: JeanClaude.Griesbach@FAO.org
Gran parte de los países de América Latina y el Caribe sufren serios problemas de degradación de tierras y de baja de su producción. Esto es consecuencia del uso y manejo inadecuado de tierras, consecuencia a su vez de la creciente presión sobre los recursos de tierra y aguas disponibles así como de la pobreza rural. La FAO y los países de la región, están proponiendo la preparación y ejecución de Programas Nacionales de Acción (PNA) para el manejo conservacionista del suelo y control de la desertificación.
Este documento incorpora nuevos conceptos y mecanismos relacionados con el desarrollo y la transferencia de tecnología, alguna de las cuales emanaron de la Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre Ambiente y Desarrollo (UNCED). Se han enfatizado las prácticas biológicas y agronómicas de conservación y el concepto de sistemas de producción y de microcuencas, ya que han asumido más importancia que antes en la conservación de suelos. La adopción de enfoques participativos en los cuales están involucrados en la toma de decisiones los sectores público y privado, las comunidades locales y los usuarios del suelo, se estimulan en todas las etapas y niveles del proceso de desarrollo. El marco de referencia para formular y ejecutar los PNA, dará a todos los participantes del proceso de desarrollo una visión más clara de como obtener una planificacion optima para el uso sostenible y el mejoramiento de los recursos de tierra y agua. También facilitará las solicitudes de los Gobiernos para financiamiento exterior.
Un Nuevo Marco de Trabajo para el Manejo Conservacionista de Tierras y Aguas y el Control de la Desertificacion en America Latina y el Caribe.
Lineamientos para la Preparacion y Ejecucion de Programas Nacionales de Acion.
20 pajinas
Para ordenar: enviar solicitud a publications-sales@fao.org o bien utilice el catalogue interactiva de la FAO: Http://www.fao.org/catalog/giphome.htm
Para mejores informaciones, dirijase a Jean Claude Griesbach: JeanClaude.Griesbach@FAO.org
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE XIV INTERNATIONAL PLANT NUTRITION COLLOQUIUM
The XIV International Plant Nutrition will be held under the aegis of the International Council on Plant Nutrition (President W.J. Horst) and hosted by the German Society of Plant Nutrition, from 28 July to 03 August 2001 in Hannover, Germany.
All information on this topic including the preliminary reply card is available at:
http://www.ipe.uni-hannover.de/ipnc.htm
GUIDE TO EFFICIENT PLANT NUTRITION MANAGEMENT
Increasing agricultural production by improving plant nutrition management, together with a better use of other production factors, is a complex challenge. Plant nutrition management depends largely on prevailing economic and social conditions. Farmers’ decisions depend on their economic situation and their socio-economic environment, on their perception of economic signals and on their acceptance of risks.
The fundamental assumption of this guide is that plant nutrition management can contribute to food security and to the sustainable production of agricultural goods without harm to the environment. The guide proposes the adoption of Integrated Plant Nutrition Systems (IPNS) which enhance soil productivity through a balanced use of local and external sources of plant nutrients in a way that maintains or improves soil fertility and is environmentally-friendly. In the medium term, IPNS help accumulate plant nutrient stocks (in soils and crop residues) as well as capital for sustainable continuation of the intensification process.
The guide emphasizes the urgent need to identify and develop local technologies and decision-making mechanisms to improve plant nutrition practices. Disseminating information and training small-scale farmers are important ways of promoting the intensified, sustainable and environmentally- friendly farming practices that will increase farmers’ incomes. It outlines appropriate policies in the areas of assessment, marketing, transport and storage, training, pricing, legislation, packaging, advice and planning, and financing. It emphasizes that the right balance of government and private participation in the production, importation and distribution of fertilizers needs to be found. In addition, it advocates setting up national plant nutrition focal points to advise on policy and to regulate the availability, quality, production and trade of plant nutrients (in particular fertilizers) in a way that complements the overall plant nutrition strategy of the government, and then to implement that policy.
Guide to efficient plant nutrition management
28 pages
To order: send request to publications-sales@fao.org or online through FAO's interactive
Publications Catalogue: Http://www.fao.org/catalog/giphome.htm.
This document is available on the Internet at: http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/AGRICULT/AGL/Newpub.htm
For further information, contact Rabindra Roy: Rabindra.Roy @FAO.org
CURRENT WORLD FERTILIZER SITUATION AND OUTLOOK
This report is based on the official statistics of the FAO on world fertilizer production, consumption and trade for each major nutrient in 1996/97 and preceding years. It also presents estimates of consumption for 1997/98 and forecasts of world fertilizer supply and demand for the period from 1998/99 to 2002/2003, as prepared in May 1998 by the FAO and the International Fertilizer Association (IFA).
Next to the statistics, reference is made to the Soil Fertility Initiative (SFI), launched at the World Food Summit. The SFI aims to develop a strategy for the restoration and enhancement of soil fertility in a medium and long term perspective. It will address technological aspects as well as policy issues. Soil and water conservation form an essential part of SFI. SFI practices have to be made profitable to the farmers in order to be adopted. The major constraint for the farmers is limited cash availability. Investment in fertilizers can accumulate cash in the short term. Fertilizer applications combined with other improved practices will ensure a maximum return for the farmer and enhance soil fertility.
Current World Fertilizer Situation and Outlook
43 pages.
This document is available on the Internet at: http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/AGRICULT/AGL/Newpub.htm
For further information, contact Tanja van den Bergen: Tanja.VanDenBergen@FAO.org