Dear Forum Members,
Food security is greatly challenged by climate change, land degradation and natural disasters in Bangladesh. In recent years, the country has made steady progress in the expansion of food production. However, due to an increasing population, the gains made have been consumed by a parallel growing demand for food.
In the last two decades, frequent floods, droughts and cyclones have caused extensive economic damage and have impaired livelihoods in Bangladesh. Adapting to, and mitigating, the effects of climate change is a key to future sustainable development and food security issue in Bangladesh.
‘Landcare’ in Bangladesh is a new approach to sustainable agriculture and rural livelihood improvement which considers not only increased food production but also takes into account community participation and environmental issues while ensuring optimum use of resources. In our Landcare approach programs, we are advocating and promoting the different types of trees (fruits, forests etc.) into the rural households and community members considering its long-term economic benefits and food security.
Landcare allows an evolution in creativity and community achievement in natural resource management. It focuses on key issues including: land degradation; food security and productivity; biodiversity protection; and preservation of rural landscapes.
Recently we have initiated the Landcare approach in our programs with the technical support of Neo Synthesis Research Centre, Sri Lanka and Secretariat for International Land care Center (SILC). We are expecting that by the holistic approach provided by the Landcare approach which not only ensures environment friendly farming but also ensures increased production by optimum use of limited resources.
The adoption of Landcare in Bangladesh hopefully offer dynamic new approaches to: regenerative agriculture, eco-specific resource management; community participation; watershed management; landuse; plant/crop selection; land-water interaction and management; renewable energy; vulnerability and adaptation to climate change; peoples’ participation in planning; implementation; and management issues.
Dr. Shaikh Tanveer Hossain
Sustainable Agriculture Advisor & Chief Agricultural Coordinator
Friends In Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB)
Dr. Shaikh Tanveer Hossain