‘Green Growth’, considered one of the paradigms for a new, more sustainable pattern of development, seeks to achieve a triple win of environmental, economic, and social benefits. In contrast to past modes of economic development, green growth strategies intend to ensure that policies and investments reflect priorities both for reducing poverty and for natural resource conservation. As the primary sector influencing livelihoods of the poor in developing countries, agriculture is seen as key to growing green.
In its chapter on Natural Capital, the recent World Bank report on Inclusive Green Growth discusses four elements that should be considered for green growth in agriculture, to support those economies and populations that rely heavily on the sector. One tactic is sustainable intensification, whereby producers employ better land, soil, and water management measures that both increase productivity while simultaneously protecting natural capital. Increasing efficiency and reducing waste is another important consideration addressed in the the document, noting the need for supply chains that minimize post-harvest losses in developing countries and considerable behavior change in developed nations. Utilizing technological advances, such as remote sensing or more detailed weather information, and moving support policies away from those that incentivize polluting practices, are the final two important elements.
Throughout this section of the green growth strategy, the relevance of adopting an integrated landscape approaches shines through. Beyond crops and livestock, aquaculture and plantation forests (particularly agroforestry systems) are also on the table, viewed together as achieving multiple benefits for people and nature. For example, mixed fish and rice production systems are typical in floodplain regions, and require melding land and water management strategies. Another example in Colombia demonstrates how a mix of policies has encouraged mixed agro-silvopastoral systems in order to increase the productivity across a landscape, while decreasing the environmental impact of each component land use. The umbrella land use policy supports this sustainable intensification while promoting forest and landscape restoration.
Read the full report for more discussion of the policies and market mechanisms that are critical to achieving sustainable development.
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