Environmental policy and administrative management

Desertification is the result of several natural processes accompanied by man-made activities. In agricultural production, overgrazing is the cause of vegetation depletion, increased of soil erosion, and deterioration of soil fertility and soil structure. The impact that overgrazing (in terms of number of cattle herds and of grazing times) is beyond the carrying and restoring capacity of pastures and natural vegetation in grazing areas. Livestock production on large and small scale has become a traditional economic activity of the people in Ninh Thuan, especially for the Cham people. It accounts for a significant share in the whole economic structure. Livestock production is one among several priorities defined in the province`s economic development strategy and action plan toward the year 2010. However, livestock free grazing in arid climate of Ninh Thuan province is one of the major causes of land degradation and desertification. Initial research results have shown that land degradation and desertification are among several increasingly accelerated environmental issues in terms of their intensity and scope of impact in Ninh Thuan. In order to prevent and stop the desertification process in Ninh Thuan, it is necessary to embark on a synchronous set of measures to appropriately and rationally exploit environmental resources (land, water, climate) in parallel with zoning and territorial development planning activities. There should also be simultaneous measures of irrigation, development and protection of forest and vegetation, and technical and management measures for social - economic activities that are likely to have influential impact on environment and natural resources. The objective of the project Developing a community model to prevent land degradation and desertification induced by livestock overgrazing in Phuoc Hai Commune, Ninh Phuoc District, Ninh Thuan Province" is to build a demonstration model of technical and management solutions for livestock and rangeland management. The ultimate goal is toward a sustainable livestock production with increased economic efficiency, and effective prevention of land degradation and desertification. The main activities of the project are: 1. Conduct a research on land use for livestock and rangeland management in Ninh Phuoc district 2. Establish a rotational grazing zone. Adopt the rotational grazing regime accompanied with technical advances to recover pastures and increase its productivity, apply manuring measure and grow grass 3. Develop a model of extensive new grass species farming to produce supplementary food for livestock. Take full advantage of agricultural and industrial by-products available in the community to process supplementary and reserving food for dry season. 4. Transfer technological advance to farmers through training on breed improvement, disease prevention, and breeding facilities construction to increase livestock productivity. 5. Organize communication activities to increase farmers` knowledge and awareness of sustainable natural resource use (land, water, and climate) for a sustainable livestock production, and of environmental issues including land degradation and desertification

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