Exploring Sustainable Land Management Practices: A learning journey through Brazil’s innovations

Exploring Sustainable Land Management Practices: A learning journey through Brazil’s innovations

Introduction

A team of ten national experts from various government agencies participated in a learning journey in Brazil from May 21 to 28, 2024. The team included representatives from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), and the Ministry of Agriculture. The purpose of the journey was to explore sustainable land management practices and learn from Brazil’s innovations in this field.

Sustainable Development Goals

The learning journey aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. These goals include:

1. Goal 2: Zero Hunger
2. Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
3. Goal 13: Climate Action
4. Goal 15: Life on Land
5. Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Key Findings

• Brazil has implemented innovative practices in sustainable land management, including agroforestry systems and conservation agriculture.
• These practices have led to increased agricultural productivity, improved soil health, and enhanced biodiversity.
• Brazil has also established effective partnerships between government agencies, research institutions, and local communities to promote sustainable land management.
• The team learned about the importance of integrating traditional knowledge and modern technologies in land management practices.
• They also observed the use of remote sensing and geospatial technologies for monitoring land use and identifying areas for conservation.

Recommendations

Based on their learning journey, the team made the following recommendations:

• Guyana should prioritize the adoption of sustainable land management practices to achieve the SDGs related to food security, water resources, climate change, and biodiversity conservation.
• The government should establish partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, and civil society organizations, to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration in sustainable land management.
• Investments should be made in capacity building and training programs to equip farmers and land managers with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement sustainable land management practices.
• Monitoring and evaluation systems should be put in place to track the progress and impact of sustainable land management initiatives.

Conclusion

The learning journey through Brazil’s innovations in sustainable land management has provided valuable insights for Guyana. By adopting these practices and working towards the SDGs, Guyana can achieve sustainable development and ensure the well-being of its people and the environment.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses sustainable land management practices, which directly aligns with SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
• Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts.

The article mentions the learning journey in Brazil focused on sustainable land management practices, which aligns with the targets of combating desertification, restoring degraded land and soil, and integrating ecosystem and biodiversity values into planning and development processes.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area.
• Indicator 15.9.1: Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.

The article does not explicitly mention these indicators, but the focus on combating desertification, restoring degraded land, and integrating ecosystem and biodiversity values implies the need to measure the proportion of degraded land and progress towards national biodiversity targets.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newsroom.gy