The executive summaries and the reports of the five technical working groups were edited into six volumes as follows:

 

VOLUME - I          INTRODUCTION AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
VOLUME - II         EROSION
VOLUME - III        ORGANIC MATTER AND BIODIVERSITY
VOLUME - IV        CONTAMINATION AND LAND MANAGEMENT
VOLUME - V         MONITORING
VOLUME - VI        RESEARCH, SEALING AND CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

Volume I consists of the executive summaries from each of the five Working Groups.
This publication presents the actual reports from the 5 Technical Working Groups that operated during 2003-2004 under the umbrella of the Thematic Strategy for Soils.

Copy of the above indicated “mandates” are also included into volume I. These mandates were developed by the European Commission colleagues, consolidated by the stakeholder “Advisory Forum” and then passed on to the Technical Working Groups. The mandates form the basis for the activities of the Working Groups and outlined key issues where technical guidance was required.

 

Volumes II-IV present the entire reports (excluding enclosures) as developed by the Working Groups.
Due to the large number of enthusiastic and competent participants in the Working Groups it has been possible to further delegate specific work packages and to constitute drafting groups or “Task Groups” within each of the 5 Working Groups. 31 Task Groups have been established and were led by Task Group Leaders.

 

Volumes II-IV follow this structure of Task Group Reports.
 

You can read the reports by clicking here.

 

Brussels, 22 June 2004 --- CropLife International releases a new report on innovative farming techniques entitled, "Conservation Technologies and the Plant Science Industry: Managing Natural Resources Sustainably". The report was launched on 23 June 2004 at the 4th International Weed Science Congress in Durban, South Africa.

The report highlights the way in which plant science technologies deliver a range of benefits such as more efficient use of water, reduction in soil erosion, increased biodiversity, better air quality and increased farm incomes.

"Conservation technologies are at the heart of sustainable agriculture", stated Christian Verschueren, Director General, CropLife International. "Increasing food production whilst protecting the ecosystem and natural resources for future generations is made possible through these dynamic solutions."

To see the full press release, please click here.

You can also see the report by clicking here.

 

 

ROME, 6 November 2002 -- Desertification affects 30 percent of the earth's land surface, threatening much of the world's productive land. To deal with this critical problem, scientists are increasingly looking to Conservation Agriculture, a strategy that helps hold back the desert, raises yields, increases incomes and allows farmers to shorten fallow periods.

Recently, with the help of an FAO team led by Conservation Agriculture expert José Benites, 17 participants from 8 of the world's driest countries gathered for a course at the Extension and Experimental Station for Irrigation and Land Techniques, known by its Italian acronym of CO.T.IR. (Centro per la Sperimentazione delle Tecniche Irrigue ) on Italy's Adriatic coast. They were joined by experts from FAO and other institutions in Australia and the United States.

The purpose: hold back the desert. The means: Conservation Agriculture. 

For more information please visit FAO web site. From this page you can also access to other press notes and news on CA as well as to the CA site of FAO.

http://www.fao.org/english/newsroom/news/2002/10502-en.html