Economics of land degradation in Eastern Africa. ZEF Policy brief

Land degradation remains a serious threat to livelihoods in Eastern Africa. The total population of sub-Saharan Africa is currently estimated at 750 million people, but it is projected to exceed the one billion mark by 2020. The demand for food is putting increasing pressure on the natural resource base. The current debate on the land degradation situation in Eastern Africa is short of consensus because of misunderstanding misinterpretation and discrepancies in the available information. There is a broad consensus that sustainable land management practices are critical in reversing the current land degradation trends and in ensuring adequate and sustainable food supply for the future.