Land degradation is not just the result of natural disasters. It is also the outcome of long-term over exploitation of natural resources and ecosystems, generated by the dominating approach to agricultural development. To address these problems, we cannot pursue the same ways of thinking that have led to this situation. We need to take a different perspective – which is already presenting itself.
A variety of experiences of farmers, NGOs and scientists over past decades has laid the basis for a new agricultural paradigm. A small selection of these experiences is presented in this issue of LEISA India. A central concept in this new paradigm is the resilience of farming communities and their ecosystems.
Editorial – Combating desertification
Rejuvenated landscape, rejuvenated lives
Watershed Organisation Trust
Managing drought for mitigating desertification
Sreenath Dixit
Sustaining livelihoods of desert communities
M.S. Sharma, Banwarilal, Rajashree Joshi, S.S. Roy and Waman Kulkarni
Loss in biodiversity with desertification in Arid Rajasthan
Venkateswarlu
Interview with Chris Reij – Evidence of success
Jorge Chavez-Tafur
Development through Convergence – Enhancing rural livelihoods through Watershed Development
Suvarna Chandrappagari , D. Kalpana , N. Polappa
Trees on common lands – Protecting environment, improving livelihoods
R.K. Maikhuri , Deepak Dhyani , L. S. Rawat
Combat desertification – It’s time to act!
Amal Kar
Farmers Diary – Natural capital holds the key
L.C. Nagaraj
Systems approach to agriculture
Tamasin Ramsay
Narayana Reddy
Improving livelihoods in dryland areas
P. G. Patil,B. K. Kakade , B. Shivarudrappa
