A review of a community-based approach to combating land degradation: dryland salinity management in Australia |
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Authors: | Ross Kingwell Michele John Michael Robertson |
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Institution: | (1) School of Agricultural & Resource Economics, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia;(2) Department of Agriculture and Food, South Perth, WA, Australia;(3) CSIRO, Floreat Park, Australia |
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Abstract: | Degradation of farmland caused by salinisation is a major environmental issue in Australia. To combat salinisation a community-based
approach has been adopted. This paper reviews the nature and effectiveness of this approach, describing its rationale, strengths
and weaknesses. The community-based approach is shown to have been highly successful in raising awareness and providing education
about the problem of dryland salinity in Australia, and has encouraged group participation in managing the problem. The approach
has allowed some internalisation of the externalities associated with dryland salinity, with peer group and community pressure
helping to address some salinity problems. However, the approach has not greatly lessened the threat of salinisation. Community
and regional groups continue to receive the bulk of salinity management funding yet it is funding for development of new innovations,
technologies and policies that is also critical to combating salinity. A conclusion is that there may have been an over-investment
in the community-based approach and under-investment in the development of skills and research infrastructure required to
develop innovative solutions to lessen the cost of salinity.
Readers should send their comments on this paper to BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue. |
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Keywords: | Community Salinity Land degradation Land management Agri-environmental programs |
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