The majority of China's poorest people live in the western regions and still rely primarily on agriculture for livelihood. Continued economic growth in the western regions is absolutely essential if China is to continue to reduce poverty, maintain social stability, and narrow the wealth gap between the poor western regions and the better off coastal areas. Thus, sustainability of natural resources remains key to future growth in the western regions. But widespread land degradation and dust storms have proven to be a tough challenge.

Back in 1930s, Canada faced a similar

Photo © Chi Chang

problem. Agriculture was challenged by dust storms and rangeland degradation as a result of the collective effect of drought, economic depression, accelerated agricultural production and inappropriate policies for marginal lands. The result was not only general environmental degradation but severe social and economic impacts on producers. In the past 70 years, unremitting efforts have been made to tackle these problems and the effect is obvious.

SADP is designed to share Canadian experiences in sustainable land management and improvement of farmers’ livelihood.