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Home > Databases > Library > Agriculture, Nature Conservation, or Both? Managing trade-offs and synergies in sub-Saharan Africa

Agriculture, Nature Conservation, or Both? Managing trade-offs and synergies in sub-Saharan Africa

February 2020
Source: 
International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
In Africa, agricultural expansion is driven primarily by growing domestic food demand, which is a consequence of increasing populations and of much needed improvements in living standards. These are indirect drivers of ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss. Other indirect drivers include increased meat consumption and climate change. Political and institutional factors, such as weak governance, can also be very significant.
 
This paper summarises key concepts relating to trade-offs and synergies, including trade-off analysis and management, to make approaches and methods more accessible. It reviews a range of different trade-off analysis methods and measures that are commonly used to manage trade-offs more effectively and more equitably. The review suggests that a combination of analytical and participatory methods offers a promising way forward.

 

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Regions: 
Africa
Sectors: 
Agriculture
Themes: 
Consumption, Development, Natural Capital
Key search terms: 
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agricultural production, food demand, trade-offs, ecosystem services, sustainable land use

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