Energy and Environment

WHY THE DRYLANDS REMAIN POOR

The major reasons why the Drylands remain poor are:
a) Geographical and Political isolation - the poor of the drylands seldom have a strong political voice;
b) Lack of services - especially health, extension and education;
c) Lack of agricultural inputs - tools, fertilizers, water, pesticides, seeds etc;
d) Inadequate access to markets - to buy inputs and sell products;
e) Products do not receive fair prices - frequently due to low quality;
f) Lack of land tenure - women are often discriminated against under land ownership regulations despite their important role in bringing up the family;
g) Lack of financial benefits flowing to the local community from local resources - such as minerals mined, or wildlife that attracts tourists;
h) Inadequate access to, and rights over, water;
Poor management of water resources - overuse and salinization;
i) High vulnerability to drought - lack of insurance, or other forms of social safety nets to help families to cope with difficult years;
j) Over-cultivation, over-grazing and subsequent loss of the productive potential of land. - This is part of the phenomenon called " desertification ".