COMCEC Agriculture Outlook 2017
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2. Sectoral Indicators
Sectoral indicators provide more specific information on the structure of a sector. In
agriculture land use, crop productions and yields, labor productivity, irrigation, fertilizer use,
and mechanization are considered as the main sectoral indicators.
2.1. Land Use
The world’s cultivated area has grown by 12 percent over the last 50 years. The global
irrigated area has doubled over the same period, accounting for most of the net increase in
cultivated land. Meanwhile, agricultural production has grown between 2.5 and 3 times,
thanks to significant increase in the yield of major crops. However, global achievements in
production in some regions have been associated with the degradation of land resources, and
the deterioration of related ecosystem goods and services, such as decreasing biomass and
carbon storage as well as damaging soil health and biodiversity.
According to FAO’s 2013 data, agriculture uses 4.93 billion hectares, representing 38 percent
of the world’s land surface. Agriculture is a major user of land. Hence, in order to make
agriculture sustainable, it is important to maintain the quantity and quality of soil resources.
Agriculture must be at the center of any discussion on natural resource management and
global environmental objectives. The responsible management of natural resources requires
ensuring adequate food and water for all while at the same time achieving sustainable rural
development and livelihoods for the current and future generations.
Land resources and the way they are used are central to the challenge of improving food
security across the world. Demographic pressures, climate change, and the increased
competition for a land are likely to increase vulnerability to food insecurity, particularly in
Africa and Asia. The challenge of providing sufficient food for everyone worldwide has never
been greater.
For improving nutrition and alleviating food insecurity and undernourishment, future
agricultural production will have to rise faster than population growth. This will have to occur
largely on existing agricultural land. Improvements will thus have to come from sustainable
intensification that makes effective use of land without harming and spoiling this precious
resource. As estimated by FAO, almost 5 to 7 million hectares of agricultural land are lost each
year due to land degradation and urbanization.
Taking into account the issues mentioned above, for the OIC member countries sustainable
land management is vital, as most of them are faced with food insecurity and have higher
population growth than the world average.