ENB:04:11
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IFAD:
Gary Howe spoke about alternative livelihood
systems. He said that although IFAD could not offer an
alternative, the issue was important because it appears unlikely
that with the present technology and incentives, a stable
relationship between the environment and the demands placed on it
by the people can be achieved. He explained that since
desertification is anthropogenic and the alternative is to
provide people with alternative non-agricultural income
generating activities outside of the most vulnerable areas. He
mentioned three environmentally friendly ways of livelihood
diversification identified by UNSO: non-extractive activities
using natural resources; agro-processing aimed at increasing the
economic value at the local level; and small-scale industry using
local inputs. He stressed that success in local diversification
will depend on: better linkages to national and regional markets
coupled by significant improvements in transport and
communications and buoyancy in the markets. He stated that
privileged incentives such as access to foreign currency at low
rates, subsidized credit, and positions in public procurement
offered to large businesses through macro-economic policies is
harmful to micro-enterprises located in marginal areas. He said
these distortions have to be eliminated for the micro-economic
enterprises to succeed. He concluded that the solution lies in
giving the local people alternatives to agriculture.