Population, environment and agricultural development constitute an inter linked, mutually-reinforcing paradigm which affects the level of food insecurity and the depth of poverty in a developing region such as Africa. Apart from chronic food insecurity and acute poverty, Africa is faced with other daunting threats. These include escalating population growth, widespread malnutrition, inadequate sanitation, and scarcity of clean water, air pollution and severe land degradation.

The countries of circum-Sahara Africa adversely affected by desertification, their sub-regional organisations, their Northern partners and the concerned international organisations of the United Nations System have created the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) in May 1992. OSS's mission is conducted within the international framework of the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) and Agenda 21 and aims to favour the development and the optimisation of its African partners' information wealth, for an optimal use of the means for combating desertification.

The objectives of this study are to analyze and synthesize the experience of the World Bank and other agencies in dryland management, with special emphasis on Africa.Recommendations are provided on "good policies and practices" in drylands management, which can support actions to fulfil obligations arising from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) for member countries and for international organizations, such as the World Bank.

Drawing on a wide variety of international scientific and technical assessments and policy reports, this comprehensive study depicts the linkages - both physical and biochemical - between important environmental issues.
It also discusses how interlinked, global environmental issues can be confronted in an integrated manner and how such issues influence our ability to meet basic human needs. See also trends, causes, social and economic consequences, technologies, policies and measures to mitigate desertification and land degradation.

Looks at land ownership and the consequences of land degradation in Kenya.Contains interview with IDRC personnel Harmut Krugmann.

This paper outlines FAO's past and present activities on combating desertification, with particular emphasis on the Near East Region, in an attempt to mobilise all the potential efforts towards the establishment of an adequate strategy to enable this particular part of the world to build efficient regional and national programmes to combat resource degradation, restore land productivity and achieve food security.

The mission held discussions with several members of staff of the SADC-ELMS on current and planned programmes and activities of ELMS with emphasis on issues related to combating desertification and the mitigation of the impacts of drought. Amongst those interviewed in Maseru included the technical advisor, a training officer and environment officer of the ELMS and the UNDP Resident Representative. In Namibia and Botswana the interviews and discussions centered on possible institutions that could be entrusted with the responsibility of coordination of SRAP activities on behalf of SADC ELMS.

This document focused on the land and environmental degradation and desertification in Africa; issues and options for sustainable economic development with transformation.