Global Chapters 3, 5]. An example from West Africa demonstrates the possibility of improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by integrating trees into farming systems [Global Chapter 3], and the participatory domestication of traditionally important species [Global Chapter 3]. This example includes rural employment diversification (e.g., value adding) through postharvest activities [SSA Chapter 5].
• Promote policy reform to instigate long-term improvements on existing agricultural land. This will strengthen ecosystem services, prevent migration to forest and/or marginal lands, and agricultural land abandonment [Global Chapter 3; LAC Chapter 5].
• Improve or establish land tenure institutions and policies. This would include the promotion of common pool resource management and use (water, land, fisheries, forests); prevention of loss (or lack of clarity) of land rights and security, tenure inequity and lack of rights, particularly on the part of women and landless people [Global Chapter 3, 7; LAC Chapter 5; NAE SDM; SSA Chapter 5]; and appropriate natural resource allocation mechanisms, for example pricing, regulation, negotiation, enforcement, etc. Long-term improvements on existing agricultural land in order to prevent migration to forest and/or marginal lands, and agricultural land abandonment [Global Chapter 3].
• The issue of who pays for environmental degradation is increasingly resolved by the principle "the polluter pays." This is becoming an increasingly contentious issue as the population of the world grows more reliant on natural resources that are global public goods. Market mechanisms that address this challenge include Payment for Environmental Services (PES) that directly rewards improved management practices through transfers to those who protect ecosystem services from those who benefit. The Clean Development Mechanism links poor and rich countries through carbon trading. However, the costs of engaging in these mechanisms, and other market-based opportunities such as certification, are often beyond the reach of the poorest farmers [CWA-NA Chapter 2; Global Chapter 3; SSA Chapter 5].
Create an enabling environment that builds NRM capacity for concerted action among stakeholders and their organizations.
NRM stakeholders are likely to be more effective in shaping NRM policy when they have improved understanding of NRM issues, know the policy formulation process and have experience of working in partnership with public and private sectors [NAE SDM]. Multi-disciplinary teams have proven effective [CWANA Chapter 2; ESAP Chapter 4; LAC Chapter 4].
• For marginalized groups (e.g., women, youth, refugees, landless peoples, HIV-AIDS affected communities): Develop experiential learning, extension programs and primary and secondary education targeting improved NRM [Global Chapter 3; NAE SDM]. Important topics include use of information technology (IT) for NRM knowledge access, resource restoration, water-harvesting practices, land conservation and environmentally friendly farming technologies, collaborative |
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management, crop and animal domestication tools and strategies, low-input integrated approaches to farming (INRM, IPM), postharvest value-addition and marketing for business development, financial management, entre-preneurship and employment generation [ESAP Chapter 3; Global Chapters 3,5; LAC Chapter 5; NAE SDM].
• For community leaders and local government officials: Develop capabilities that build capacity for multi-stakeholder partnerships [NAE Chapter 6], NRM leadership skills [Global Chapter 3] including IT capabilities. Important topics include land tenure policy; conflict resolution, feasibility planning, impact assessment, participatory group processes for natural resource management, restoration and recycling; financial management, entrepreneurship and employment generation; NRM strategies and technologies [Global Chapters 3,5; LAC Chapter 5; NAE SDM].
• For national and international policy makers: Initiate learning opportunities to better understand the importance of IT connectivity and skill development, local and traditional knowledge in all aspects of NRM for agricultural research and development [Global Chapters 3, 5; SR Part II: TKI]. Additionally, promote models of extension and outreach that engage local people in participatory learning processes for NRM, and in adapting improved NRM technologies to local circumstances and needs, e.g., farmer organizations, farmer-to-farmer extension, participatory plant breeding [Global Chapter 3].
Facilitate natural resource management partnerships for different purposes to enhance benefits from natural resource assets for the collective good and to mitigate against natural hazards.
NRM partnerships are beneficial for landscape management and planning, technology and market development, policy development, research and rural development. AKST can support innovative partnerships across institutions for multi-stakeholder NR management.
• At local, national, regional and international levels, create local-global collaborative research and development partnerships, based on mutual understanding, trust and goals. Appropriate partners may include public and private sector representatives. In commercially oriented partnerships, there should be recognition of the development of IP and other mechanisms that benefit local partners and communities [ESAP Chapters 3, 4; Global Chapter 3; LAC Chapter 4].
• Create partnerships and networks involving NGOs, CSOs, farmer field schools, government, private sector to build on shared knowledge and decision-making. This may include training and mentorship to optimize implementation and outcomes. Long-term partnerships are essential for ensuring enduring capacity to benefit the collective good [Global Chapter 3; LAC Chapter 4; NAE SDM].
• Ensure that each partner's contributions, together, represent the total needs of the partnership. Trained facilitators can help strengthen the capacity of multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Examine and implement policies that encourage constructive NRM partnerships. This would include limit- |