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Use
of Sustainable Livelihoods Approaches
Soil
fertility, an element of natural capital, is key to the livelihoods
of the majority of the rural population of sub-Saharan Africa,
who depend on agriculture as a central element in their livelihood
strategy. Declining soil fertility and increasing population
pressure has been met by calls from some international scientists
for a soil recapitalisation programme for sub-Saharan Africa.
This call however presents many challenges. The variability
of soil conditions at farm level, and the variety and complexity
of smallholder soil management and cropping practices, render
blanket top-down approaches problematic. Moreover, many of
the decisions relating to improved soil management practices
go beyond choices which are purely technical, and are influenced
by factors beyond the immediate control of the smallholder,
including policies and markets operating at various levels
(international, national and sub-national), and access to
new knowledge and products.
The SL approach provides a holistic framework within which
to investigate decision processes at micro and meso levels
that influence smallholders' soil fertility management options,
as well as to carry forward the lessons in order to influence
national policy (policies, institutions and processes).
The policy process, starting at micro and meso levels (including
project levels), and influencing national policies and global
initiatives, includes the World Bank's Soil Fertility Initiative
for Africa. Opportunities for engaging with the policy process
are explored in the seven case study countries, and a framework
for taking these opportunities forward through an action-learning
approach is presented.
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