Financial incentives: Possible options for sustainable rangeland management?

Mounir Louhaichi, Yigezu Yigezu, Jutta Werner, Lojoo Dashtseren, Tamer Al-Shater, Mohamed Ahmed. (15/9/2016). Financial incentives: Possible options for sustainable rangeland management. Journal of Environmental Management, 180, pp. 493-503.

Abstract

Large-scale mismanagement of natural resources emanating from lack of appropriate policies and reg- ulatory framework is arguably one of the reasons that led to resource degradation and poor livelihoods in many countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Sustainable rangeland management practices (SRMPs) are considered to be a solution to feed shortages and rangeland degradation. However, the scope for SRMP adoption, has been a subject of debate. Using a case study from Syria and the application of the Minimum Data Analysis method (TOA-MD), this paper provides empirical evidence for ensuring wider adoption of SRMP. The paper argues that the introduction of financial incentives in the form of payments for agricultural-environmental services can increase the economic viability and enhance the adoption of SRMPs and is a better alternative to the unsustainable state subsidies for fodder purchases and barley cultivation on rangelands. Model results indicate that further investment in rea- search toward generating low cost technologies and tailored governance strategies including a financial incentive system would lead to better management of rangelands and improve livelihoods in the Syrian Badia. These findings are valuable for policy makers, donors as well as development and extension practitioners in the MENA region as they can better inform future courses of actions.

Permanent link

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/6447

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.05.077

Collections

Agricultural Research Knowledge
Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Intensification
Outcome and Impact Studies

Other URI

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303857102_Financial_incentives_Possible_options_for_sustainable_rangeland_management

Subject(s)

agri-environmental schemes; environmental benefits; subsidized fodder; minimum data; adoption; dryland ecosystem

Author(s) ORCID(s)

Louhaichi, Mounir https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4543-7631
Yigezu, Yigezu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9156-7082
Werner, Jutta https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9960-2105
Al-Shater, Tamer https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0698-689X