Land degradation and sustainable land management innovations in central Asia

Abstract

Land degradation affects about one-third of global terrestrial area and is having negative impacts on the incomes and food security of agricultural populations. The problem is also acute in the irrigated, rainfed and rangeland areas of Central Asia. There are numerous sustainable land management (SLM) technologies and practices which can help in addressing land degradation. However, many of these technologies have not been adopted at larger scales. The key underlying factors incentivizing SLM adoptions in Central Asia are found to be better access to markets, credit and extension, and secure land tenure. The adoption of SLM technologies can lead to improvements in income among agricultural households, especially the poor. However, SLM technologies alone cannot address land degradation in the region. SLM-friendly policies and institutions are essential.