This chapter emphasizes the interconnectedness of sustainable land, water, forest and aquatic resource management and highlights the complementary technical solutions proposed for each sector. Together, these strategies address challenges caused by water scarcity, soil degradation, deforestation and biodiversity loss. By integrating sectoral solutions, FAO advocates a holistic approach to resource management, one that aligns with the Organization’s cohesive framework of transforming agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
The practices of integrated plant production and forestry enhance soil health and restore degraded landscapes, both of which are essential to ensure long-term land productivity and adaptation to climate change. In rainfed agriculture, a focus on organic amendments, crop diversification and conservation tillage directly supports forest restoration efforts by fostering soil conditions that stabilize and enrich surrounding landscapes. Agroforestry systems, known for their resilience and rich biodiversity, complement these practices by providing long-term soil benefits, such as increased soil moisture retention and carbon sequestration. Together, these approaches create mutually reinforcing land-use practices that support both climate mitigation and ecosystem resilience.
Rotational grazing and forage improvement align with broader ecosystem strategies and support the health of both livestock systems and the natural environment. Integrating agroforestry practices within pasturelands can provide shade, improve forage quality and enhance soil health, while rotational grazing maintains productive grasslands that prevent soil erosion and loss of biodiversity. By encouraging the strategic inclusion of trees in grasslands, these complementary practices promote resilience to climate extremes, help to manage erosion and enhance carbon sequestration within pasture ecosystems.
The technical options for irrigation and inland fisheries illustrate how water resources can be jointly managed to support agriculture and fisheries, maximizing food production while conserving water. Designing and managing agricultural water for multiple uses – drinking water, industries, livestock and fisheries – can raise the social and economic productivity of water in water management systems (Jepson, Stellbauer and Thomson, 2023). Multifunctional farm ponds can store water for irrigation and domestic purposes and can be used for raising fish. Integrating agriculture with aquaculture provides a means of recycling water and nutrients and increasing income. The value of paddy cultivation is underestimated – unless its multifunctional roles are taken into consideration. By including fish-friendly irrigation infrastructure, irrigation systems can further enhance both aquatic biodiversity and food security without compromising agricultural productivity.
In all these sectors, the adoption of technical solutions requires community engagement, data-driven solutions and adaptive practices that consider both the environmental and the social dimensions of resource management. A case in point is the involvement of local communities in irrigation modernization, including monitoring and management, which has been shown to be essential to long-term outcomes. Data-driven insights and community involvement to adapt to local needs is a focus emphasized by the SSF Guidelines, which advocate sustainable fisheries through community-led management. Together, these technologies and community-centred practices create a framework in which sustainable resource use is tailored to specific landscapes and enhances community resilience to climate change.
Presenting a range of often synergistic technical solutions, this chapter offers a unified model for sustainable land, water, forest and aquatic resource management that addresses multiple aspects of food security, climate resilience and environmental sustainability. The complementary strategies outlined here offer a road map for decision-makers seeking to balance food production with ecosystem health, demonstrating that integrated management practices are essential to building resilient, sustainable and equitable food systems.
