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AGENDA 21, CHAPTER 14



PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
 AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT





NOTE:	This is a final, advanced version of a chapter of Agenda 21, as 
adopted by the Plenary in Rio de Janeiro, on June 14, 1992.  
This document will be further edited, translated into the 
official languages, and published by the United Nations for the 
General Assembly this autumn.









INTRODUCTION

14.1.  By the year 2025, 83 per cent of the expected global population of 
8.5 billion will be living in developing countries.  Yet the capacity of 
available resources and technologies to satisfy the demands of this growing 
population for food and other agricultural commodities remains uncertain.  
Agriculture has to meet this challenge, mainly by increasing production on 
land already in use and by avoiding further encroachment on land that is 
only marginally suitable for cultivation.

14.2.  Major adjustments are needed in agricultural, environmental and 
macroeconomic policy, at both national and international levels, in 
developed as well as developing countries, to create the conditions for 
sustainable agriculture and rural development (SARD).  The major objective 
of SARD is to increase food production in a sustainable way and enhance 
food security.  This will involve education initiatives, utilization of 
economic incentives and the development of appropriate and new 
technologies, thus ensuring stable supplies of nutritionally adequate food, 
access to those supplies by vulnerable groups, and production for markets; 
employment and income generation to alleviate poverty; and natural resource 
management and environmental protection.

14.3.  The priority must be on maintaining and improving the capacity of 
the higher potential agricultural lands to support an expanding population.   
However, conserving and rehabilitating the natural resources on lower 
potential lands in order to maintain sustainable man/land ratios is also 
necessary.  The main tools of SARD are policy and agrarian reform, 
participation, income diversification, land conservation and improved 
management of inputs.  The success of SARD will depend largely on the 
support and participation of rural people, national Governments, the 
private sector and international cooperation, including technical and 
scientific cooperation.

14.4.  The following programme areas are included in this chapter:

	(a)	Agricultural policy review, planning and integrated programming 
in the light of the multifunctional aspect of agriculture, particularly 
with regard to food security and sustainable development;

	(b)	Ensuring people's participation and promoting human resource 
development for sustainable agriculture;

	(c)	Improving farm production and farming systems through 
diversification of farm and non-farm employment and infrastructure 
development;


	(d)	Land-resource planning information and education for 
agriculture;

	(e)	Land conservation and rehabilitation;

	(f)	Water for sustainable food production and sustainable rural 
development;
	(g)	Conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic 
resources for food and sustainable agriculture;

	(h)	Conservation and sustainable utilization of animal genetic 
resources for sustainable agriculture;

	(i)	Integrated pest management and control in agriculture;

	(j)	Sustainable plant nutrition to increase food production;

(k)	Rural energy transition to enhance productivity;

	(l)	Evaluation of the effects of ultraviolet radiation on plants 
and animals caused by the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer.


PROGRAMME AREAS

		  A.  Agricultural policy review, planning and integrated 
			 programmes in the light of the multifunctional
			 aspect of agriculture, particularly with regard to
			 food security and sustainable development

Basis for action

14.5.  There is a need to integrate sustainable development considerations 
with agricultural policy analysis and planning in all countries, 
particularly in developing countries.  Recommendations should contribute 
directly to development of realistic and operational medium- to long-term 
plans and programmes, and thus to concrete actions. Support to and 
monitoring of implementation should follow.

14.6.  The absence of a coherent national policy framework for sustainable 
agriculture and rural development (SARD) is widespread and is not limited 
to the developing countries.  In particular the economies in transition 
from planned to market-oriented systems need such a framework to 
incorporate environmental considerations into economic activities, 
including agriculture.  All countries need to assess comprehensively the 
impacts of such policies on food and agriculture sector performance, food 
security, rural welfare and international trading relations as a means for 
identifying appropriate offsetting measures.  The major thrust of food 
security in this case is to bring about a significant increase in 
agricultural production in a sustainable way and to achieve a substantial 
improvement in people's entitlement to adequate food and culturally 
appropriate food supplies.


14.7.  Sound policy decisions pertaining to international trade and capital 
flows also necessitate action to overcome:  (a) a lack of awareness of the 
environmental costs incurred by sectoral and macroeconomic policies and 
hence their threat to sustainability; (b) insufficient skills and 
experience in incorporating issues of sustainability into policies and 
programmes; and (c) inadequacy of tools of analysis and monitoring. 1/

Objectives

14.8.  The objectives of this Programme area are:

	(a)	By 1995, to review and, where appropriate, establish a 
programme to integrate environmental and sustainable development with 
policy analysis for the food and agriculture sector and relevant 
macroeconomic policy analysis, formulation and implementation;

	(b)	To maintain and develop, as appropriate, operational 
multisectoral plans, programmes and policy measures, including programmes 
and measures to enhance sustainable food production and food security 
within the framework of sustainable development, not later than 1998;

	(c)	To maintain and enhance the ability of developing countries, 
particularly the least developed ones, to themselves manage policy, 
programming and planning activities, not later than 2005.


Activities

(a)	Management-related activities

14.9.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Carry out national policy reviews related to food security, 
including adequate levels and stability of food supply and access to food 
by all households;

	(b)	Review national and regional agricultural policy in relation, 
inter alia, to foreign trade, price policy, exchange rate policies, 
agricultural subsidies and taxes, as well as organization for regional 
economic integration;

	(c)	Implement policies to influence land tenure and property rights 
positively with due recognition of the minimum size of land-holding 
required to maintain production and check further fragmentation;

	(d)	Consider demographic trends and population movements and 
identify critical areas for agricultural production;

	(e)	Formulate, introduce and monitor policies, laws and regulations 
and incentives leading to sustainable agricultural and rural development 
and improved food security and to the development and transfer of 
appropriate farm technologies, including, where appropriate, low-input 
sustainable agricultural (LISA) systems;

	(f)	Support national and regional early warning systems through 
food-security assistance schemes that monitor food supply and demand and 
factors affecting household access to food;

	(g)	Review policies with respect to improving harvesting, storage, 
processing, distribution and marketing of products at the local, national 
and regional levels;

	(h)	Formulate and implement integrated agricultural projects that 
include other natural resource activities, such as management of 
rangelands, forests, and wildlife, as appropriate;

	(i)	Promote social and economic research and policies that 
encourage sustainable agriculture development, particularly in fragile 
ecosystems and densely populated areas;

	(j)	Identify storage and distribution problems affecting food 
availability; support research, where necessary, to overcome these problems 
and cooperate with producers and distributors to implement improved 
practices and systems.

(b)	Data and information

14.10.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Cooperate actively to expand and improve the information on 
early warning systems on food and agriculture at both regional and national 
levels;

	(b)	Examine and undertake surveys and research to establish 
baseline information on the status of natural resources relating to food 
and agricultural production and planning in order to assess the impacts of 
various uses on these resources, and develop methodologies and tools of 
analysis, such as environmental accounting.



(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

14.11.  United Nations agencies, such as FAO, the World Bank, IFAD and 
GATT, and regional organizations, bilateral donor agencies and other bodies 
should, within their respective mandates, assume a role in working with 
national Governments in the following activities: 

	(a)	Implement integrated and sustainable agricultural development 
and food security strategies at the subregional level that use regional 
production and trade potentials, including organizations for regional 
economic integration, to promote food security;

	(b)	Encourage, in the context of achieving sustainable agricultural 
development and consistent with relevant internationally agreed principles 
on trade and environment, a more open and non-discriminatory trading system 
and the avoidance of unjustifiable trade barriers which together with other 
policies will facilitate the further integration of agricultural and 
environmental policies so as to make them mutually supportive;

	(c)	Strengthen and establish national, regional and international 
systems and networks to increase the understanding of the interaction 
between agriculture and the state of the environment, identify ecologically 
sound technologies and facilitate the exchange information on data sources, 
policies, and techniques and tools of analysis.

Means of implementation

(a)	Financing and cost evaluation*

14.12.  The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual 
cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be 
about $3 billion, including about $450 million from the international 
community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order of 
magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.  Actual 
costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, will 
depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments 
decide upon for implementation.

(b)	Scientific and technological means

14.13.  Governments at the appropriate level and with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations should assist farming 
households and communities to apply technologies related to improved food 
production and security, including storage, monitoring of production and 
distribution.

(c)	Human resource development

14.14.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Involve and train local economists, planners and analysts to 
initiate national and international policy reviews and develop frameworks 
for sustainable agriculture; 

	(b)	Establish legal measures to promote access of women to land and 
remove biases in their involvement in rural development.


(d)	Capacity-building

14.15.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should strengthen 
ministries for agriculture, natural resources and planning.


		  B.  Ensuring people's participation and promoting human
			 resource development for sustainable agriculture

Basis for action

14.16.  This component bridges policy and integrated resource management.  
The greater the degree of community control over the resources on which it 
relies, the greater will be the incentive for economic and human resources 
development.  At the same time, policy instruments to reconcile long-run 
and short-run requirements must be set by national Governments.  The 
approaches focus on fostering self-reliance and cooperation, providing 
information and supporting user-based organizations.  Emphasis should be on 
management practices, building agreements for changes in resource 
utilization, the rights and duties associated with use of land, water and 
forests, the functioning of markets, prices, and the access to information, 
capital and inputs.  This would require training and capacity-building to 
assume greater responsibilities in sustainable development efforts. 2/

Objectives

14.17.  The objectives of this programme area are:  

	(a)	To promote greater public awareness of the role of people's 
participation and people's organizations, especially women's groups, youth, 
indigenous people and people under occupation, local communities and small 
farmers, in sustainable agriculture and rural development;

	(b)	To ensure equitable access of rural people, particularly women, 
small farmers, landless and indigenous people and people under occupation, 
to land, water and forest resources and to technologies, financing, 
marketing, processing and distribution;

	(c)	To strengthen and develop the management and the internal 
capacities of rural people's organizations and extension services and to 
decentralize decision-making to the lowest community level.

Activities

(a)	Management-related activities

14.18.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Develop and improve integrated agricultural extension services 
and facilities and rural organizations and undertake natural resource 
management and food security activities, taking into account the different 
needs of subsistence agriculture as well as market-oriented crops;

	(b)	Review and refocus existing measures to achieve wider access to 
land, water and forest resources and ensure equal rights of women and other 
disadvantaged groups, with particular emphasis on rural populations, 
indigenous people, people under occupation and local communities;

	(c)	Assign clear titles, rights and responsibilities for land and 
for individuals or communities to encourage investment in land resources;

	(d)	Develop guidelines for decentralization policies for rural 
development through reorganization and strengthening of rural institutions;

	(e)	Develop policies in extension, training, pricing, input 
distribution, credit and taxation to ensure necessary incentives and 
equitable access by the poor to production-support services;

	(f)	Provide support services and training, recognizing the 
variation in agricultural circumstances and practices by location; the 
optimal use of on-farm inputs and the minimal use of external inputs; 
optimal use of local natural resources and management of renewable energy 
sources; and the establishment of networks that deal with the exchange of 
information on alternative forms of agriculture.

(b)	Data and information

14.19.  Governments at the appropriate level, and with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should collect, analyse, 
and disseminate information on human resources, the role of Governments, 
local communities and non-governmental organizations in social innovation 
and strategies for rural development.


(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

14.20.  Appropriate international and regional agencies should:

	(a)	Reinforce their work with non-governmental organizations in 
collecting and disseminating information on people's participation and 
people's organizations and people under occupation, testing participatory 
development methods, training and education for human resource development 
and strengthening the management structures of rural organizations;

	(b)	Help develop information available through non-governmental 
organizations and promote an international ecological agricultural network 
to accelerate the development and implementation of ecological agriculture 
practices.

Means of implementation

(a)	Financing and cost evaluation

14.21.  The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual 
cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be 
about $4.4 billion, including about $650 million from the international 
community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order of 
magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.  Actual 
costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, will 
depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments 
decide upon for implementation.

(b)	Scientific and technological means

14.22.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Encourage people's participation on farm technology development 
and transfer, incorporating indigenous ecological knowledge and practices;

	(b)	Launch applied research on participatory methodologies, 
management strategies and local organizations.

(c)	Human resource development

14.23.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should provide 
management and technical training to government administrators and members 
of resource-user groups in the principles, practice and benefits of 
people's participation in rural development.


(d)	Capacity-building

14.24.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should introduce 
management strategies and mechanisms, such as accounting and audit services 
for rural people's organizations and institutions for human resource 
development, and delegate administrative and financial responsibilities to 
local levels for decision-making, revenue-raising and expenditure.


		 C.  Improving farm production and farming systems through 
			diversification of farm and non-farm employment and
			infrastructure development

Basis for action

14.25.  Agriculture needs to be intensified to meet future demands for 
commodities and to avoid further expansion onto marginal lands and 
encroachment on fragile ecosystems. Increased use of external inputs and 
development of specialized production and farming systems tend to increase 
vulnerability to environmental stresses and market fluctuations. There is, 
therefore, a need to intensify agriculture by diversifying the production 
systems for maximum efficiency in the utilization of local resources, while 
minimizing environmental and economic risks.  Where intensification of 
farming systems is not possible, other on-farm and off-farm employment 
opportunities should be identified and developed, such as cottage 
industries, wildlife utilization, aquaculture and fisheries, non-farm 
activities, such as light village-based manufacturing, farm commodity 
processing, agribusiness, recreation and tourism, etc.

Objectives

14.26.  The objectives of this programme area are:

	(a)	To improve farm productivity in a sustainable manner, as well 
as to increase diversification, efficiency, food security and rural 
incomes, while ensuring that risks to the ecosystem are minimized;

	(b)	To enhance the self-reliance of farmers in developing and 
improving rural infrastructure, and to facilitate the transfer of 
environmentally sound technologies for integrated production and farming 
systems, including indigenous technologies and the sustainable use of 
biological and ecological processes, including agroforestry, sustainable 
wildlife conservation and management, aquaculture, inland fisheries and 
animal husbandry;

	(c)	To create farm and non-farm employment opportunities, 
particularly among the poor and those living in marginal areas, taking into 
account the alternative livelihood proposal inter alia in dryland areas.

Activities

(a)	Management-related activities

14.27.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Develop and disseminate to farming households integrated farm 
management technologies, such as crop rotation, organic manuring and other 
techniques involving reduced use of agricultural chemicals, multiple 
techniques for sources of nutrients and the efficient utilization of 
external inputs, while enhancing techniques for waste and by-product 
utilization and prevention of pre- and post-harvest losses, taking 
particular note of the role of women;

	(b)	Create non-farm employment opportunities through private 
small-scale agro-processing units, rural service centres and related 
infrastructural improvements;

	(c)	Promote and improve rural financial networks that utilize 
investment capital resources raised locally;

	(d)	Provide the essential rural infrastructure for access to 
agricultural inputs and services, as well as to national and local markets, 
and reduce food losses;

	(e)	Initiate and maintain farm surveys, on-farm testing of 
appropriate technologies and dialogue with rural communities to identify 
constraints and bottlenecks and find solutions;

	(f)	Analyse and identify possibilities for economic integration of 
agricultural and forestry activities, as well as water and fisheries, and 
to take effective measures to encourage forest management and growing of 
trees by farmers (farm forestry) as an option for resource development.

(b)	Data and information

14.28.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Analyse the effects of technical innovations and incentives on 
farm-household income and well-being;

	(b)	Initiate and maintain on-farm and off-farm programmes to 
collect and record indigenous knowledge.



(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

14.29  International institutions, such as FAO and IFAD, international 
agricultural research centres, such as CGIAR, and regional centres should 
diagnose the world's major agro-ecosystems, their extension, ecological and 
socio-economic characteristics, their susceptibility to deterioration and 
their productive potential.  This could form the basis for technology 
development and exchange and for regional research collaboration.

Means of implementation

(a)	Financing and cost evaluation

14.30.  The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual 
cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be 
about $10 billion, including about $1.5 billion from the international 
community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order of 
magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.  Actual 
costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, will 
depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments 
decide upon for implementation.

(b)	Scientific and technological means

14.31.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should strengthen 
research on agricultural production systems in areas with different 
endowments and agro-ecological zones, including comparative analysis of the 
intensification, diversification and different levels of external and 
internal inputs.

(c)	Human resource development

14.32.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:
	(a)	Promote educational and vocational training for farmers and 
rural communities through formal and non-formal education;

	(b)	Launch awareness and training programmes for entrepreneurs, 
managers, bankers and traders in rural servicing and small-scale 
agro-processing techniques.

(d)	Capacity-building

14.33.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Improve their organizational capacity to deal with issues 
related to off-farm activities and rural industry development;

	(b)	Expand credit facilities and rural infrastructure related to 
processing, transportation and marketing.


		   D.  Land-resource planning, information and education 
			  for agriculture

Basis for action

14.34.  Inappropriate and uncontrolled land uses are a major cause of 
degradation and depletion of land resources.  Present land use often 
disregards the actual potentials, carrying capacities and limitations of 
land resources, as well as their diversity in space. It is estimated that 
the world's population, now at 5.4 billion, will be 6.25 billion by the 
turn of the century.  The need to increase food production to meet the 
expanding needs of the population will put enormous pressure on all natural 
resources, including land.

14.35.  Poverty and malnutrition are already endemic in many regions.  The 
destruction and degradation of agricultural and environmental resources is 
a major issue.  Techniques for increasing production and conserving soil 
and water resources are already available but are not widely or 
systematically applied.  A systematic approach is needed for identifying 
land uses and production systems that are sustainable in each land and 
climate zone, including the economic, social and institutional mechanisms 
necessary for their implementation. 3/


Objectives

14.36.  The objectives of this programme area are:

	(a)	To harmonize planning procedures, involve farmers in the 
planning process, collect land-resource data, design and establish 
databases, define land areas of similar capability, identify resource 
problems and values that need to be taken into account to establish 
mechanisms to encourage efficient and environmentally sound use of 
resources;
	(b)	To establish agricultural planning bodies at national and local 
levels to decide priorities, channel resources and implement programmes.

Activities

(a)	Management-related activities

14.37.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Establish and strengthen agricultural land-use and 
land-resource planning, management, education and information at national 
and local levels;

	(b)	Initiate and maintain district and village agricultural 
land-resource planning, management and conservation groups to assist in 
problem identification, development of technical and management solutions, 
and project implementation.

(b)	Data and information

14.38.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Collect, continuously monitor, update and disseminate 
information, whenever possible, on the utilization of natural resources and 
living conditions, climate, water and soil factors, and on land use, 
distribution of vegetation cover and animal species, utilization of wild 
plants, production systems and yields, costs and prices, and social and 
cultural considerations that affect agricultural and adjacent land use;

	(b)	Establish programmes to provide information, promote discussion 
and encourage the formation of management groups.

(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

14.39.  The appropriate United Nations agencies and regional organizations 
should:

	(a)	Strengthen or establish international, regional and subregional 
technical working groups with specific terms of reference and budgets to 
promote the integrated use of land resources for agriculture, planning, 
data collection and diffusion of simulation models of production and 
information dissemination; 

	(b)	Develop internationally acceptable methodologies for the 
establishment of databases, description of land uses and multiple goal 
optimization.

Means of implementation

(a)	Financing and cost evaluation

14.40.  The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual 
cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be 
about $1.7 billion, including about $250 million from the international 
community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order of 
magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.  Actual 
costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, will 
depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments 
decide upon for implementation.

(b)	Scientific and technological means

14.41.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Develop databases and geographical information systems to store 
and display physical, social and economic information pertaining to 
agriculture, and the definition of ecological zones and development areas;

	(b)	Select combinations of land uses and production systems 
appropriate to land units through multiple goal optimization procedures, 
and strengthen delivery systems and local community participation;

	(c)	Encourage integrated planning at the watershed and landscape 
level to reduce soil loss and protect surface and groundwater resources 
from chemical pollution.

(c)	Human resource development

14.42.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Train professionals and planning groups at national, district 
and village levels through formal and informal instructional courses, 
travel and interaction;

	(b)	Generate discussion at all levels on policy, development and 
environmental issues related to agricultural land use and management, 
through media programmes, conferences and seminars.

(d)	Capacity-building 

14.43.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Establish land-resource mapping and planning units at national, 
district and village levels to act as focal points and links between 
institutions and disciplines, and between Governments and people;

	(b)	Establish or strengthen Governments and international 
institutions with responsibility for agricultural resource survey, 
management and development; rationalize and strengthen legal frameworks; 
and provide equipment and technical assistance.


E.  Land conservation and rehabilitation

Basis for action

14.44.  Land degradation is the most important environmental problem 
affecting extensive areas of land in both developed and developing 
countries. The problem of soil erosion is particularly acute in developing 
countries, while problems of salinization, waterlogging, soil pollution and 
loss of soil fertility are increasing in all countries.  Land degradation 
is serious because the productivity of huge areas of land is declining just 
when populations are increasing rapidly and the demand on the land is 
growing to produce more food, fibre and fuel.  Efforts to control land 
degradation, particularly in developing countries, have had limited success 
to date.  Well planned, long-term national and regional land conservation 
and rehabilitation programmes, with strong political support and adequate 
funding, are now needed.  While land-use planning and land zoning, combined 
with better land management, should provide long-term solutions, it is 
urgent to arrest land degradation and launch conservation and 
rehabilitation programmes in the most critically affected and vulnerable 
areas.

Objectives

14.45.  The objectives of this programme area are:

	(a)	By the year 2000, to review and initiate, as appropriate, 
national land-resource surveys, detailing the location, extent and severity 
of land degradation;

	(b)	To prepare and implement comprehensive policies and programmes 
leading to the reclamation of degraded lands and the conservation of areas 
at risk, as well as improve the general planning, management and 
utilization of land resources and preserve soil fertility for sustainable 
agricultural development.

Activities

(a)	Management-related activities

14.46.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Develop and implement programmes to remove and resolve the 
physical, social and economic causes of land degradation, such as land 
tenure, appropriate trading systems and agricultural pricing structures, 
which lead to inappropriate land-use management;

	(b)	Provide incentives and, where appropriate and possible, 
resources for the participation of local communities in the planning, 
implementation and maintenance of their own conservation and reclamation 
programmes;

	(c)	Develop and implement programmes for the rehabilitation of land 
degraded by water-logging and salinity;

	(d)	Develop and implement programmes for the progressive use of 
non-cultivated land with agricultural potential in a sustainable way.

(b)	Data and information

14.47.  Governments, at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Conduct periodic surveys to assess the extent and state of its 
land resources;

	(b)	Strengthen and establish national land-resource data banks, 
including identification of the location, extent and severity of existing 
land degradation, as well as areas at risk, and evaluate the progress of 
the conservation and rehabilitation programmes launched in this regard;

	(c)	Collect and record information on indigenous conservation and 
rehabilitation practices and farming systems as a basis for research and 
extension programmes.

(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

14.48.  The appropriate United Nations agencies, regional organizations and 
non-governmental organizations should:

	(a)	Develop priority conservation and rehabilitation programmes 
with advisory services to Governments and regional organizations;

	(b)	Establish regional and subregional networks for scientists and 
technicians to exchange experiences, develop joint programmes and spread 
successful technologies on land conservation and rehabilitation.

Means of implementation

(a)	Financing and cost evaluation*

14.49.  The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual 
cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be 
about $5 billion, including about $800 million from the international 
community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order of 
magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.  Actual 
costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, will 
depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments 
decide upon for implementation.

(b)	Scientific and technological means

14.50.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should help farming 
household communities to investigate and promote site-specific technologies 
and farming systems that conserve and rehabilitate land, while increasing 
agricultural production, including conservation tillage agroforestry, 
terracing and mixed cropping.

(c)	Human resource development

14.51.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should train field staff 
and land users in indigenous and modern techniques of conservation and 
rehabilitation and should establish training facilities for extension staff 
and land users.

(d)	Capacity-building

14.52.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Develop and strengthen national research institutional capacity 
to identify and implement effective conservation and rehabilitation 
practices that are appropriate to the existing socio-economic physical 
conditions of the land users;

	(b)	Coordinate all land conservation and rehabilitation policies, 
strategies and programmes with related ongoing programmes, such as national 
environment action plans, the Tropical Forestry Action Plan and national 
development programmes.


		 F.  Water for sustainable food production and sustainable 
			rural development

14.53.  This programme area is included in chapter 18 (Protection of the 
quality and supply of freshwater resources), programme area F.


	    G.  Conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic 
		   resources for food and sustainable agriculture

Basis for action

14.54.  Plant genetic resources for agriculture (PGRFA) are an essential 
resource to meet future needs for food.  Threats to the security of these 
resources are growing, and efforts to conserve, develop and use genetic 
diversity are underfunded and understaffed.  Many existing gene banks 
provide inadequate security and, in some instances, the loss of plant 
genetic diversity in gene banks is as great as it is in the field.

14.55.  The primary objective is to safeguard the world's genetic resources 
while preserving them to use sustainably.  This includes the development of 
measures to facilitate the conservation and use of plant genetic resources, 
networks of in situ conservation areas and use of tools such as ex situ 
collections and germ plasma banks. Special emphasis could be placed on the 
building of endogenous capacity for characterization, evaluation and 
utilization of PGRFA, particularly for the minor crops and other 
underutilized or non-utilized species of food and agriculture, including 
tree species for agro-forestry.  Subsequent action could be aimed at 
consolidation and efficient management of networks of in situ conservation 
areas and use of tools such as ex situ collections and germ plasma banks.

14.56.  Major gaps and weaknesses exist in the capacity of existing 
national and international mechanisms to assess, study, monitor and use 
plant genetic resources to increase food production.  Existing 
institutional capacity, structures and programmes are generally inadequate 
and largely underfunded.  There is genetic erosion of invaluable crop 
species.  Existing diversity in crop species is not used to the extent 
possible for increased food production in a sustainable way. 4/

Objectives

14.57.  The objectives of this programme area are:

	(a)	To complete the first regeneration and safe duplication of 
existing ex situ collections on a world-wide basis as soon as possible;

	(b)	To collect and study plants useful for increasing food 
production through joint activities, including training, within the 
framework of networks of collaborating institutions;

	(c)	Not later than the year 2000, to adopt policies and strengthen 
or establish programmes for in situ on-farm and ex situ conservation and 
sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, 
integrated into strategies and programmes for sustainable agriculture;

	(d)	To take appropriate measures for the fair and equitable sharing 
of benefits and results of research and development in plant breeding 
between the sources and users of plant genetic resources.


Activities

(a)	Management-related activities

14.58.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Develop and strengthen institutional capacity, structures and 
programmes for conservation and use of PGRFA;

	(b)	Strengthen and establish research in the public domain on PGRFA 
evaluation and utilization, with the objectives of sustainable agriculture 
and rural development in view;

	(c)	Develop multiplication/propagation, exchange and dissemination 
facilities for PGRFAs (seeds and planting materials), particularly in 
developing countries and monitor, control and evaluate plant introductions;

	(d)	Prepare plans or programmes of priority action on conservation 
and sustainable use of PGRFA, based, as appropriate, on country studies on 
PGRFA;

	(e)	Promote crop diversification in agricultural systems where 
appropriate, including new plants with potential value as food crops;

	(f)	Promote utilization as well as research on poorly known, but 
potentially useful, plants and crops, where appropriate;

	(g)	Strengthen national capabilities for utilization of PGRFA, 
plant breeding and seed production capabilities, both by specialized 
institutions and farming communities.

(b)	Date and information

14.59.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Develop strategies for networks of in situ conservation areas 
and use of tools such as on-farm ex situ collections, germplasm banks and 
related technologies;

	(b)	Establish ex situ base collection networks;

	(c)	Review periodically and report on the situation on PGRFA, using 
existing systems and procedures;

	(d)	Characterize and evaluate PGRFA material collected, disseminate 
information to facilitate the use of PGRFA collections and assess genetic 
variation in collections.

(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

14.60.  The appropriate United Nations agencies and regional organizations 
should:

	(a)	Strengthen the Global System on the Conservation and 
Sustainable Use of PGRFA by, inter alia, accelerating the development of 
the Global Information and Early Warning System to facilitate the exchange 
of information; developing ways to promote the transfer of environmentally 
sound technologies, in particular to developing countries; and taking 
further steps to realize farmers' rights;

	(b)	Develop subregional, regional and global networks of PGRFA in 
situ in protected areas;
	(c)	Prepare periodic state of the world reports on PGRFA;

	(d)	Prepare a rolling global cooperative plan of action on PGRFA;

	(e)	Promote, for 1994, the Fourth International Technical 
Conference on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of PGRFA, which is to 
adopt the first state of the world report and the first global plan of 
action on the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA;

	(f)	Adjust the Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable 
Use of PGRFA in line with the outcome of the negotiations of a convention 
on biological diversity.

Means of implementation

(a)	Financing and cost evaluation

14.61.  The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual 
cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be 
about $600 million, including about $300 million from the international 
community on grant or concessional terms.  These are indicative and order 
of magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.  
Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, 
will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes 
Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b)	Scientific and technological means

14.62.  Governments, at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Develop basic science research in such areas as plant taxonomy 
and phytogeography, utilizing recent developments, such as computer 
sciences, molecular genetics and in vitro cryopreservation;

	(b)	Develop major collaborative projects between research 
programmes in developed and developing countries, particularly for the 
enhancement of poorly known or neglected crops;

	(c)	Promote cost-effective technologies for keeping duplicate sets 
of ex situ collections (which can also be used by local communities);

	(d)	Develop further conservation sciences in relation to in situ 
conservation and technical means to link it with ex situ conservation 
efforts.

(c)	Human resource development

14.63.  Governments at the appropriate level and with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations should:
	(a)	Promote training programmes at both undergraduate and 
post-graduate levels in conservation sciences for running PGRFA facilities 
and for the design and implementation of national programmes in PGRFA;

	(b)	Raise the awareness of agricultural extension services in order 
to link PGRFA activities with user communities;

	(c)	Develop training materials to promote conservation and 
utilization of PGRFA at the local level.

(d)	Capacity-building

14.64.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should establish 
national policies to provide legal status for and strengthen legal aspects 
of PGRFA, including long-term financial commitments for germplasm 
collections and implementation of activities in PGRFA.


		  H.  Conservation and sustainable utilization of animal
			 genetic resources for sustainable agriculture

Basis for action

14.65.  The need for increased quantity and quality of animal products and 
for draught animals calls for conservation of the existing diversity of 
animal breeds to meet future requirements, including those for use in 
biotechnology.  Some local animal breeds, in addition to their 
socio-cultural value, have unique attributes for adaptation, disease 
resistance and specific uses and should be preserved.  These local breeds 
are threatened by extinction as a result of the introduction of exotic 
breeds and of changes in livestock production systems.

Objectives

14.66.  The objectives of this programme area are:

	(a)	To enumerate and describe all breeds of livestock used in 
animal agriculture in as broad a way as possible and begin a 10-year 
programme of action;

	(b)	To establish and implement action programmes to identify breeds 
at risk, together with the nature of the risk and appropriate preservation 
measures;

	(c)	To establish and implement development programmes for 
indigenous breeds in order to guarantee their survival, avoiding the risk 
of their being replaced by breed substitution or cross-breeding programmes.

Activities

(a)	Management-related activities
14.67.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Draw up breed preservation plans, for endangered populations, 
including semen/embryo collection and storage, farm-based conservation of 
indigenous stock or in situ preservation;

	(b)	Plan and initiate breed development strategies;

	(c)	Select indigenous populations on the basis of regional 
importance and genetic uniqueness, for a 10-year programme, followed by 
selection of an additional cohort of indigenous breeds for development.

(b)	Data and information

14.68.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should prepare and 
complete national inventories of available animal genetic resources.  
Cryogenic storage could be given priority over characterization and 
evaluation.  Training of nationals in conservation and assessment 
techniques would be given special attention.


(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

14.69.  The appropriate United Nations and other international and regional 
agencies should:

	(a)	Promote the establishment of regional gene banks to the extent 
that they are justified, based on principles of technical cooperation among 
developing countries;

	(b)	Process, store and analyse animal genetic data at the global 
level, including the establishment of a world watch list and an early 
warning system for endangered breeds; global assessment of scientific and 
intergovernmental guidance of the programme and review of regional and 
national activities; development of methodologies, norms and standards 
(including international agreements); monitoring of their implementation; 
and related technical and financial assistance;

	(c)	Prepare and publish a comprehensive database of animal genetic 
resources, describing each breed, its derivation, its relationship with 
other breeds, effective population size and a concise set of biological and 
production characteristics;

	(d)	Prepare and publish a world watch list on farm animal species 
at risk to enable national Governments to take action to preserve 
endangered breeds and to seek technical assistance, where necessary.


Means of implementation

(a)	Financing and cost evaluation

14.70.  The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual 
cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be 
about $200 million, including about $100 million from the international 
community on grant or concessional terms.  These are indicative and order 
of magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.  
Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, 
will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes 
Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b)	Scientific and technological means

14.71.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should: 

	(a)	Use computer-based data banks and questionnaires to prepare a 
global inventory/world watch list;

	(b)	Using cryogenic storage of germplasm, preserve breeds at 
serious risk and other material from which genes can be reconstructed.

(c)	Human resource development

14.72.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Sponsor training courses for nationals to obtain the necessary 
expertise for data collection and handling and for the sampling of genetic 
material;

	(b)	Enable scientists and managers to establish an information base 
for indigenous livestock breeds and promote programmes to develop and 
conserve essential livestock genetic material.

(d)	Capacity-building

14.73.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Establish in-country facilities for artificial insemination 
centres and in situ breeding farms;

	(b)	Promote in-country programmes and related physical 
infrastructure for animal livestock conservation and breed development, as 
well as for strengthening national capacities to take preventive action 
when breeds are endangered.


I.  Integrated pest management and control in agriculture

Basis for action

14.74.  World food demand projections indicate an increase of 50 per cent 
by the year 2000 which will more than double again by 2050.  Conservative 
estimates put pre-harvest and post-harvest losses caused by pests between 
25 and 50 per cent.  Pests affecting animal health also cause heavy losses 
and in many areas prevent livestock development. Chemical control of 
agricultural pests has dominated the scene, but its overuse has adverse 
effects on farm budgets, human health and the environment, as well as on 
international trade.  New pest problems continue to develop.  Integrated 
pest management, which combines biological control, host plant resistance 
and appropriate farming practices and minimizes the use of pesticides, is 
the best option for the future, as it guarantees yields, reduces costs, is 
environmentally friendly and contributes to the sustainability of 
agriculture.  Integrated pest management should go hand in hand with 
appropriate pesticide management to allow for pesticide regulation and 
control, including trade, and for the safe handling and disposal of 
pesticides, particularly those that are toxic and persistent.

Objectives

14.75.  The objectives of this programme area are:

	(a)	Not later than the year 2000, to improve and implement plant 
protection and animal health services, including mechanisms to control the 
distribution and use of pesticides, and to implement the International Code 
of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides;

	(b)	To improve and implement programmes to put integrated 
pest-management practices within the reach of farmers through farmer 
networks, extension services and research institutions;

	(c)	Not later than the year 1998, to establish operational and 
interactive networks among farmers, researchers and extension services to 
promote and develop integrated pest management.

Activities

(a)	Management-related activities

14.76.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Review and reform national policies and the mechanisms that 
would ensure the safe and appropriate use of pesticides - for example, 
pesticide pricing, pest control brigades, price-structure of inputs and 
outputs and integrated pest-management policies and action plans;

	(b)	Develop and adopt efficient management systems to control and 
monitor the incidence of pests and disease in agriculture and the 
distribution and use of pesticides at the country level;

	(c)	Encourage research and development into pesticides that are 
target-specific and readily degrade into harmless constituent parts after 
use; 

	(d)	Ensure that pesticide labels provide farmers with 
understandable information about safe handling, application and disposal.

(b)	Data and information

14.77.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Consolidate and harmonize existing information and programmes 
on the use of pesticides that have been banned or severely restricted in 
different countries;

	(b)	Consolidate, document and disseminate information on biological 
control agents and organic pesticides, as well as on traditional and other 
relevant knowledge and skills regarding alternative non-chemical ways of 
controlling pests;

	(c)	Undertake national surveys to establish baseline information on 
the use of pesticides in each country and the side-effects on human health 
and environment, and also undertake appropriate education.

(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

14.78.  Appropriate United Nations agencies and regional organizations 
should:

	(a)	Establish a system for collecting, analysing and disseminating 
data on the quantity and quality of pesticides used every year and their 
impact on human health and the environment;

	(b)	Strengthen regional interdisciplinary projects and establish 
integrated pest management (IPM) networks to demonstrate the social, 
economic and environmental benefits of IPM for food and cash crops in 
agriculture;

	(c)	Develop proper IPM, comprising the selection of the variety of 
biological, physical and cultural controls, as well as chemical controls, 
taking into account specific regional conditions.


Means of implementation

(a)	Financing and cost evaluation

14.79.  The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual 
cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be 
about $1.9 billion, including about $285 million from the international 
community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order of 
magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.  Actual 
costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, will 
depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments 
decide upon for implementation.

(b)	Scientific and technological means

14.80.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should launch on-farm 
research in the development of non-chemical alternative pest management 
technologies.

(c)	Human resource development

14.81.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Prepare and conduct training programmes on approaches and 
techniques for integrated pest management and control of pesticide use, to 
inform policy makers, researchers, non-governmental organizations and 
farmers;

	(b)	Train extension agents and involve farmers and women's groups 
in crop health and alternative non-chemical ways of controlling pests in 
agriculture.

(d)	Capacity-building

14.82.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should strengthen 
national public administrations and regulatory bodies in the control of 
pesticides and the transfer of technology for integrated pest management.


J.  Sustainable plant nutrition to increase food production

Basis for action

14.83.  Plant nutrient depletion is a serious problem resulting in loss of 
soil fertility, particularly in developing countries.  To maintain soil 
productivity, the FAO sustainable plant nutrition programmes could be 
helpful.  In sub-Saharan Africa, nutrient output from all sources currently 
exceeds inputs by a factor of three or four, the net loss being estimated 
at some 10 million metric tons per year.  As a result, more marginal lands 
and fragile natural ecosystems are put under agricultural use, thus 
creating further land degradation and other environmental problems.  The 
integrated plant nutrition approach aims at ensuring a sustainable supply 
of plant nutrients to increase future yields without harming the 
environment and soil productivity.  

14.84.  In many developing countries, population growth rates exceed 
3 per cent a year, and national agricultural production has fallen behind 
food demand.  In these countries the goal should be to increase 
agricultural production by at least 4 per cent a year, without destroying 
the soil fertility.  This will require increasing agricultural production 
in high-potential areas through efficiency in the use of inputs.  Trained 
labour, energy supply, adapted tools and technologies, plant nutrients and 
soil enrichment will all be essential.


Objectives

14.85.  The objectives of this programme area are:

	(a)	Not later than the year 2000, to develop and maintain in all 
countries the integrated plant nutrition approach, and to optimize 
availability of fertilizer and other plant nutrient sources;

	(b)	Not later than the year 2000, to establish and maintain 
institutional and human infrastructure to enhance effective decision-making 
on soil productivity;

	(c)	To develop and make available national and international 
know-how to farmers, extension agents, planners and policy makers on 
environmentally sound new and existing technologies and soil-fertility 
management strategies for application in promoting sustainable agriculture.

Activities

(a)	Management-related activities

14.86.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Formulate and apply strategies that will enhance soil fertility 
maintenance to meet sustainable agricultural production and adjust the 
relevant agricultural policy instruments accordingly;

	(b)	Integrate organic and inorganic sources of plant nutrients in a 
system to sustain soil fertility and determine mineral fertilizer needs;

	(c)	Determine plant nutrient requirements and supply strategies and 
optimize the use of both organic and inorganic sources, as appropriate, to 
increase farming efficiency and production;

	(d)	Develop and encourage processes for the recycling of organic 
and inorganic waste into the soil structure, without harming the 
environment, plant growth and human health.


(b)	Data and information

14.87.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Assess "national accounts" for plant nutrients, including 
supplies (inputs) and losses (outputs) and prepare balance sheets and 
projections by cropping systems;

	(b)	Review technical and economic potentials of plant nutrient 
sources, including national deposits, improved organic supplies, recycling, 
wastes, topsoil produced from discarded organic matter and biological 
nitrogen fixation.

(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

14.88.  The appropriate United Nations agencies, such as FAO, the 
international agricultural research institutes, and non-governmental 
organizations should collaborate in carrying out information and publicity 
campaigns about the integrated plant nutrients approach, efficiency of soil 
productivity and their relationship to the environment.


Means of implementation

(a)	Financing and cost evaluation

14.89.  The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual 
cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be 
about $3.2 billion, including about $475 million from the international 
community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order of 
magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.  Actual 
costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, will 
depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments 
decide upon for implementation.

(b)	Scientific and technological means

14.90.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Develop site-specific technologies at benchmark sites and 
farmers' fields that fit prevailing socio-economic and ecological 
conditions through research that involves the full collaboration of local 
populations; 

	(b)	Reinforce interdisciplinary international research and transfer 
of technology in cropping and farming systems research, improved in situ 
biomass production techniques, organic residue management and agroforestry 
technologies.

(c)	Human resource development

14.91.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Train extension officers and researchers in plant nutrient 
management, cropping systems and farming systems, and in economic 
evaluation of plant nutrient impact;

	(b)	Train farmers and women's groups in plant nutrition management, 
with special emphasis on topsoil conservation and production.

(d)	Capacity-building

14.92.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Develop suitable institutional mechanisms for policy 
formulation to monitor and guide the implementation of integrated plant 
nutrition programmes through an interactive process involving farmers, 
research, extension services and other sectors of society;

	(b)	Where appropriate, strengthen existing advisory services and 
train staff, develop and test new technologies and facilitate the adoption 
of practices to upgrade and maintain full productivity of the land.


K.  Rural energy transition to enhance productivity

Basis for action

14.93.  Energy supplies in many countries are not commensurate with their 
development needs and are highly priced and unstable.  In rural areas of 
the developing countries, the chief sources of energy are fuelwood, crop 
residues and manure, together with animal and human energy.  More intensive 
energy inputs are required for increased productivity of human labour and 
for income-generation.  To this end, rural energy policies and technologies 
should promote a mix of cost-effective fossil and renewable energy sources 
that is itself sustainable and ensures sustainable agricultural 
development.  Rural areas provide energy supplies in the form of wood.  The 
full potential of agriculture and agroforestry, as well as common property 
resources, as sources of renewable energy, is far from being realized.  The 
attainment of sustainable rural development is intimately linked with 
energy demand and supply patterns. 5/

Objectives

14.94.  The objectives of this programme area are:

	(a)	Not later than the year 2000, to initiate and encourage a 
process of environmentally sound energy transition in rural communities, 
from unsustainable energy sources, to structured and diversified energy 
sources by making available alternative new and renewable sources of 
energy;

	(b)	To increase the energy inputs available for rural household and 
agro-industrial needs through planning and appropriate technology transfer 
and development;

	(c)	To implement self-reliant rural programmes favouring 
sustainable development of renewable energy sources and improved energy 
efficiency.

Activities

(a)	Management-related activities

14.95.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Promote pilot plans and projects consisting of electrical, 
mechanical and thermal power (gasifiers, biomass, solar driers, wind-pumps 
and combustion systems) that are appropriate and likely to be adequately 
maintained;

	(b)	Initiate and promote rural energy programmes supported by 
technical training, banking and related infrastructure;

	(c)	Intensify research and the development, diversification and 
conservation of energy, taking into account the need for efficient use and 
environmentally sound technology.

(b)	Data and information

14.96.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should: 

	(a)	Collect and disseminate data on rural energy supply and demand 
patterns related to energy needs for households, agriculture and 
agro-industry; 

	(b)	Analyse sectoral energy and production data in order to 
identify rural energy requirements.

(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

14.97.  The appropriate United Nations agencies and regional organizations 
should, drawing on the experience and available information of 
non-governmental organizations in this field, exchange country and regional 
experience on rural energy planning methodologies in order to promote 
efficient planning and select cost-effective technologies.


Means of implementation

(a)	Financing and cost evaluation

14.98.  The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual 
cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be 
about $1.8 billion per year, including about $265 million from the 
international community on grant or concessional terms.  These are 
indicative and order of magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed 
by Governments.  Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are 
non-concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and 
programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.


(b)	Scientific and technological means

14.99.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Intensify public and private sector research in developing and 
industrialized countries on renewable sources of energy for agriculture;

	(b)	Undertake research and transfer of energy technologies in 
biomass and solar energy to agricultural production and post-harvest 
activities.

(c)	Human resource development

14.100.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should enhance public 
awareness of rural energy problems, stressing the economic and 
environmental advantages of renewable energy sources.

(d)	Capacity-building 

14.101.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the 
relevant international and regional organizations, should:

	(a)	Establish national institutional mechanisms for rural energy 
planning and management that would improve efficiency in agricultural 
productivity and reach the village and household level;

	(b)	Strengthen extension services and local organizations to 
implement plans and programmes for new and renewable sources of energy at 
the village level.



		 L.  Evaluation of the effects of ultraviolet radiation on
			plants and animals caused by the depletion of the
			stratospheric ozone layer

Basis for action

14.102.  The increase of ultraviolet radiation as a consequence of the 
depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer is a phenomenon that has been 
recorded in different regions of the world, particularly in the southern 
hemisphere.  Consequently, it is important to evaluate its effects on plant 
and animal life, as well as on sustainable agricultural development.

Objective

14.103.  The objective of this programme area is to undertake research to 
determine the effects of increased ultraviolet radiation resulting from 
stratospheric ozone layer depletion on the Earth's surface, and on plant 
and animal life in affected regions, as well as its impact on agriculture, 
and to develop, as appropriate, strategies aimed at mitigating its adverse 
effects.

Activities

	Management-related activities

14.104.  In affected regions, Governments at the appropriate level, with 
the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, 
should take the necessary measures, through institutional cooperation, to 
facilitate the implementation of research and evaluation regarding the 
effects of enhanced ultraviolet radiation on plant and animal life, as well 
as on agricultural activities, and consider taking appropriate remedial 
measures.




Notes

	1/	Some of the issues in this programme area are presented in 
chapter 3 of Agenda 21 (Combating poverty).

	2/	Some of the issues in this programme area are discussed in 
chapter 8 of Agenda 21 (Integrating environment and development in 
decision-making) and in chapter 37 (National mechanisms and international 
cooperation for capacity-building in developing countries).

	3/	Some of the issues are presented in chapter 10 of Agenda 21 
(Integrated approach to the planning and management of land resources).

	4/	The activities of this programme area are related to some of 
the activities in chapter 15 of Agenda 21 (Conservation of biological 
diversity).

	5/	The activities of this programme area are related to some of 
the activities in chapter 9 of Agenda 21 (Protecting the atmosphere).

A.21: Agriculture (Ch. 14) Advanced copypage 1


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