Project Description
Agroecosystem degradation poses a major challenge to sustainable agricultural development in Asia. Nature-based Solutions (NbS)—including agroecology, bioengineering, and Climate-Smart Agriculture—offer promising approaches to restore ecosystem function, improve productivity, and generate environmental and livelihood benefits. This FAO-funded project explored the application of NbS in selected agricultural landscapes across India, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam, with the goal of addressing land degradation and promoting climate-resilient farming practices.
Objectives, Activities, and Results
The project began with a diagnostic analysis that assessed baseline conditions, trends in agroecosystem degradation, and key drivers of environmental decline in each target area. The analysis also evaluated the broader agricultural systems to inform appropriate intervention strategies. Based on these findings, the project identified a range of tailored NbS options suitable for each context. In close collaboration with FAO country teams, ICEM supported the design of pilot projects focused on improving groundwater management through NbS in Cambodia and Vietnam. These pilots aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of ecosystem-based approaches in enhancing water availability, supporting sustainable agriculture, and reducing environmental risks. The project laid a foundation for future scaling of NbS across Asia’s degraded agricultural landscapes.
