- by adequate investments and projects, and on using
unconventional water resources. Measures for managing
economic demand may help finance investments and
incentives required to promote innovation and reduce
risks related to the development of pertinent technologies
and projects.
- Developing or adapting and then enforcing policies related
to water quality. This might require investments in
monitoring infrastructure and capacity development.
- Collaborating across boundaries to address common
problems and appropriate strategies to reduce water
shortages through improving the management of water
resources. This might require amendments to judicial
systems to deal with water disputes and conflicts.
5.2.4.3 Management of genetic resources and biodiversity
Principal policy instruments for conserving and managing
biodiversity are land-use planning and zoning, such
as establishing protected areas. Modern technologies such
as GIS may greatly facilitate adequate land-use planning.
Considering international incentives such as the Kyoto FlexMex mechanisms (e.g., the Clean Development Mechanism
may encourage land-use planning that conserves biodiversity.
Protection of biodiversity may be linked with adapted
land-use opportunities to find solutions acceptable to various
stakeholders. Practices in ecoagriculture such as agroforestry,
compensation areas and biodiversity-enhancing
landscape elements may considerably contribute to biodiversity
conservation. Direct payments for functions to conserve
and maintain the ecosystem such as biodiversity conservation
may encourage farmers to adopt such practices;
in some industrialized countries (e.g., Switzerland) direct
payments are linked to ecologically friendly land use and
management. However, adoption of practices conserving
biodiversity is generally dependent on secure land tenure
or use rights (e.g., for improved rangeland management.
Implementing NBSAPs developed through CBD may facilitate
biodiversity conservation as well as make use of this
treasure in CWANA. With regard to aquatic resources, the
FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries serves as
an important tool for conserving aquatic biodiversity.
Invasive alien species are a considerable threat to biodiversity
and can disturb both agricultural and natural
systems devastatingly. Besides policies regulating the importation
of living plants and plant material, legislation has to
cover aspects such as responsible aquaculture, trafficking of
unprocessed wood and use of ballast water.
Furthermore, appropriate biosafety regulations need to
be included in country-led sustainable development strategies
to face the potentials and challenges related to biotechnology.
Policy analysis and development should consider
risk assessment, capacity building in research and regulatory
systems, and communication and public outreach. Policies
should guide research for the poor (e.g., by protecting their
intellectual property rights), protect against potential health
risks, address possible ecological risks, and regulate the private
sector (Pinstrup-Andersen, 1999).
5.2.4.4 Markets and trade
As the markets in which agricultural products compete are
changing rapidly, measures to increase output must be |
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accompanied by measures that improve the ability to compete
in these markets. The objective should be to add more value
rather than produce more, by providing appropriate framework
conditions for reorienting and improving production
and processing. Only if market organization in CWANA
countries is improved will stakeholders in agricultural value
chains fully capitalize on increased agricultural production.
- Adequate input and output pricing policies are key for
enhancing agricultural production while conserving the
natural environment. Price stability is extremely important
so that farmers can invest and innovate rather than
be defensively risk averse. Using targeted subsidies and
direct payments (e.g., providing environmental services
through agriculture) in the framework of coherent market
policies may still be envisaged to promote innovation
and more market-oriented production.
- Producers, processors and traders need access to credits,
markets (to close the gap between rural areas and urban
centers) and reliable market information, particularly in
view of more diversified and market-oriented production.
This may enable them to identify and introduce a
portfolio of agricultural products that corresponds to
consumer demand in major domestic and export markets.
Developed public market information services can
strengthen the position of various stakeholders in the
market chain by providing regular information daily or
weekly by newsletter, radio, television or mobile phone
on product prices in major regional markets. Adaptation
to information policies may be required to let value-chain
stakeholders capitalize on relevant information available.
- Appropriate technologies and infrastructure are required
for well-functioning value chains. Processing
facilities at different levels may substantially reduce
postharvest losses, and together with the development
of agribusiness provide additional income along the
value chain, particularly if diversified production (with
more focus on nonstaples) targets newly emerging market
opportunities (organic products, supermarkets, etc.).
Abandoning state interference and policies encouraging
investments by the private sector will encourage a shift
toward market-oriented agriculture. Strengthened links
between research, extension and farmers, possibly by
including the private sector, may help implement the required
technologies and infrastructure.
- Introducing modern, low-cost farm management systems
to improve yields and product quality requires
adequate policies. Regulations and procedures associated
with seed testing and certification may have to be
modernized, and restrictions on the import and use of
high-performing seed varieties from other countries relaxed.
Vertical integration and professional value-chain
management facilitate quality and safety management
at the relevant levels and allow complying with newly
emerging standards. Investments in infrastructure and
pertinent legislation (e.g., appropriate food safety and
biosafety procedures and regulation, revision and modernization
of product standards) may be required to
improve postharvest management and assure quality
control to comply with international standards.
- Import and export policies and trade arrangements have
to provide an enabling framework for well-functioning
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