* Information, Data and Communication in Agenda 21 *
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Information, Data and Communication in Agenda 21

Chapter 14:
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture And Rural Development
4. (d) Land-resource planning information and education for agriculture; [Chapter 14, Para 4 (d)]

(b) Data and information [Chapter 14, Section A. (b)]

10. (a) Cooperate actively to expand and improve the information on early warning systems on food and agriculture at both regional and national levels; [Chapter 14, Para 10 (a)]

10. (b) Examine and undertake surveys and research to establish baseline information on the status of natural resources relating to food and agricultural production and planning in order to assess the impacts of various uses on these resources, and develop methodologies and tools of analysis, such as environmental accounting. [Chapter 14, Para 10 (b)]

11. (c) Strengthen and establish national, regional and international systems and networks to increase the understanding of the interaction between agriculture and the state of the environment, identify ecologically sound technologies and facilitate the exchange information on data sources, policies, and techniques and tools of analysis. [Chapter 14, Para 11 (c)]

16. This component bridges policy and integrated resource management. The greater the degree of community control over the resources on which it relies, the greater will be the incentive for economic and human resources development. At the same time, policy instruments to reconcile long-run and short-run requirements must be set by national Governments. The approaches focus on fostering self-reliance and cooperation, providing information and supporting user-based organizations. Emphasis should be on management practices, building agreements for changes in resource utilization, the rights and duties associated with use of land, water and forests, the functioning of markets, prices, and the access to information, capital and inputs. This would require training and capacity-building to assume greater responsibilities in sustainable development efforts. 2/ [Chapter 14, Para 16]

18. (f) Provide support services and training, recognizing the variation in agricultural circumstances and practices by location; the optimal use of on-farm inputs and the minimal use of external inputs; optimal use of local natural resources and management of renewable energy sources; and the establishment of networks that deal with the exchange of information on alternative forms of agriculture. [Chapter 14, Para 18 (f)]

(b) Data and information [Chapter 14, Section B. (b)]

19. Governments at the appropriate level, and with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should collect, analyse, and disseminate information on human resources, the role of Governments, local communities and non-governmental organizations in social innovation and strategies for rural development. [Chapter 14, Para 19]

20. (a) Reinforce their work with non-governmental organizations in collecting and disseminating information on people's participation and people's organizations, testing participatory development methods, training and education for human resource development and strengthening the management structures of rural organizations; [Chapter 14, Para 20 (a)]

20. (b) Help develop information available through non-governmental organizations and promote an international ecological agricultural network to accelerate the development and implementation of ecological agriculture practices. [Chapter 14, Para 20 (b)]

(b) Data and information [Chapter 14, Section C. (b)]

D. Land-resource planning, information and education for agriculture [Chapter 14, Section D.]

36. (a) To harmonize planning procedures, involve farmers in the planning process, collect land-resource data, design and establish databases, define land areas of similar capability, identify resource problems and values that need to be taken into account to establish mechanisms to encourage efficient and environmentally sound use of resources; [Chapter 14, Para 36 (a)]

37. (a) Establish and strengthen agricultural land-use and land-resource planning, management, education and information at national and local levels; [Chapter 14, Para 37 (a)]

(b) Data and information [Chapter 14, Section D. (b)]

38. (a) Collect, continuously monitor, update and disseminate information, whenever possible, on the utilization of natural resources and living conditions, climate, water and soil factors, and on land use, distribution of vegetation cover and animal species, utilization of wild plants, production systems and yields, costs and prices, and social and cultural considerations that affect agricultural and adjacent land use; [Chapter 14, Para 38 (a)]

38. (b) Establish programmes to provide information, promote discussion and encourage the formation of management groups. [Chapter 14, Para 38 (b)]

39. (a) Strengthen or establish international, regional and subregional technical working groups with specific terms of reference and budgets to promote the integrated use of land resources for agriculture, planning, data collection and diffusion of simulation models of production and information dissemination; [Chapter 14, Para 39 (a)]

39. (b) Develop internationally acceptable methodologies for the establishment of databases, description of land uses and multiple goal optimization. [Chapter 14, Para 39 (b)]

41. (a) Develop databases and geographical information systems to store and display physical, social and economic information pertaining to agriculture, and the definition of ecological zones and development areas; [Chapter 14, Para 41 (a)]

(b) Data and information [Chapter 14, Section E. (b)]

47. (b) Strengthen and establish national land-resource data banks, including identification of the location, extent and severity of existing land degradation, as well as areas at risk, and evaluate the progress of the conservation and rehabilitation programmes launched in this regard; [Chapter 14, Para 47 (b)]

47. (c) Collect and record information on indigenous conservation and rehabilitation practices and farming systems as a basis for research and extension programmes. [Chapter 14, Para 47 (c)]

(b) Data and information [Chapter 14, Section G. (b)]

59. (d) Characterize and evaluate PGRFA material collected, disseminate information to facilitate the use of PGRFA collections and assess genetic variation in collections. [Chapter 14, Para 59 (d)]

60. (a) Strengthen the Global System on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of PGRFA by, inter alia, accelerating the development of the Global Information and Early Warning System to facilitate the exchange of information; developing ways to promote the transfer of environmentally sound technologies, in particular to developing countries; and taking further steps to realize farmers' rights; [Chapter 14, Para 60 (a)]

(b) Data and information [Chapter 14, Section H. (b)]

69. (b) Process, store and analyse animal genetic data at the global level, including the establishment of a world watch list and an early warning system for endangered breeds; global assessment of scientific and intergovernmental guidance of the programme and review of regional and national activities; development of methodologies, norms and standards (including international agreements); monitoring of their implementation; and related technical and financial assistance; [Chapter 14, Para 69 (b)]

69. (c) Prepare and publish a comprehensive database of animal genetic resources, describing each breed, its derivation, its relationship with other breeds, effective population size and a concise set of biological and production characteristics; [Chapter 14, Para 69 (c)]

71. (a) Use computer-based data banks and questionnaires to prepare a global inventory/world watch list; [Chapter 14, Para 71 (a)]

72. (a) Sponsor training courses for nationals to obtain the necessary expertise for data collection and handling and for the sampling of genetic material; [Chapter 14, Para 72 (a)]

72. (b) Enable scientists and managers to establish an information base for indigenous livestock breeds and promote programmes to develop and conserve essential livestock genetic material. [Chapter 14, Para 72 (b)]

76. (d) Ensure that pesticide labels provide farmers with understandable information about safe handling, application and disposal. [Chapter 14, Para 76 (d)]

(b) Data and information [Chapter 14, Section I. (b)]

77. (a) Consolidate and harmonize existing information and programmes on the use of pesticides that have been banned or severely restricted in different countries; [Chapter 14, Para 77 (a)]

77. (b) Consolidate, document and disseminate information on biological control agents and organic pesticides, as well as on traditional and other relevant knowledge and skills regarding alternative non-chemical ways of controlling pests; [Chapter 14, Para 77 (b)]

77. (c) Undertake national surveys to establish baseline information on the use of pesticides in each country and the side-effects on human health and environment, and also undertake appropriate education. [Chapter 14, Para 77 (c)]

78. (a) Establish a system for collecting, analysing and disseminating data on the quantity and quality of pesticides used every year and their impact on human health and the environment; [Chapter 14, Para 78 (a)]

(b) Data and information [Chapter 14, Section J. (b)]

88. The appropriate United Nations agencies, such as FAO, the international agricultural research institutes, and non-governmental organizations should collaborate in carrying out information and publicity campaigns about the integrated plant nutrients approach, efficiency of soil productivity and their relationship to the environment. [Chapter 14, Para 88]

(b) Data and information [Chapter 14, Section K. (b)]

96. (a) Collect and disseminate data on rural energy supply and demand patterns related to energy needs for households, agriculture and agro-industry; [Chapter 14, Para 96 (a)]

96. (b) Analyse sectoral energy and production data in order to identify rural energy requirements. [Chapter 14, Para 96 (b)]

97. The appropriate United Nations agencies and regional organizations should, drawing on the experience and available information of non-governmental organizations in this field, exchange country and regional experience on rural energy planning methodologies in order to promote efficient planning and select cost-effective technologies. [Chapter 14, Para 97]




Information, Data and Communication in Agenda 21
Agenda 21 | Alternative Treaties | Information Ecology | Information Habitat