International Day for Biological Diversity: Protect Biodiversity in Drylands

On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2006, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) highlights its work to protect the richness of biological diversity in drylands and semi arid landscapes, which support the livelihoods of almost 2 billion people worldwide.  IFOAM is undertaking significant projects aimed at conserving and enhancing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes, and today IFOAM announces the publishing of its Training Manual for Organic Agriculture in the Arid Tropics and the development of a Training Manual for Organic Agriculture and Biodiversity.

The Training Manual for Organic Agriculture in the Arid Tropics provides comprehensive and didactic training materials that apply practical methods to protect and enhance biodiversity in dryland areas. The manual covers important issues such as water conservation strategies and how to build organic matter in topsoil, and addresses specific ways organic farmers  can approach pest and disease control, reduce erosion and build soil in semi-arid systems through the promotion of balanced on-farm ecosystems.

You may pre-order The Training Manual for Organic Agriculture in the Arid Tropics via the IFOAM online bookstore: http://shop.ifoam.org/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=333

IFOAM recognizes the need to give organic farmers a practical guide to conserve and enhance biodiversity on the farm, and thus is currently developing a Training Manual for Organic Agriculture and Biodiversity, which will address best practices in farm management. The manual will provide concrete measures and innovative case studies that enhance biodiversity under a wide variety of conditions, offering both the rationale and the potential economic benefits for the farmer. The manual will be completed in 2007, and will serve as an effective and useful guide for both conventional and organic farmers alike in helping to achieve the 2010 Biodiversity Target.

Angela B. Caudle, IFOAM Executive Director, notes "IFOAM appreciates the emphasis that the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity is placing on drylands in an effort to protect biodiversity. By supporting organic farming, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity can demonstrate their commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in drylands. As always, IFOAM is ready to act as a resource to governments and intergovernmental agencies alike to make this possible, and as you can see, we are making substantive and concrete efforts that help farmers throughout the world to protect and enhance biodiversity for all."

For more information about organic agriculture and biodiversity, visit the IFOAM website at www.ifoam.org