Repurposing Agricultural Subsidies to Restore Degraded Farmland and Grow Rural Prosperity

Ding H., A. Markandya, R. BARBIERI, M. Calmon, M. Cervera, M. Duraisami, R. Singh, J. Warman, and W. Anderson. 2021. Repurposing Agricultural Subsidies to Restore Degraded Farmland and Grow Rural Prosperity. Washington DC, World Resources Institute. #56 p.

This report highlights why governments should reinvest underperforming public agricultural subsidies in land restoration. Evidence from Africa, Asia and Latin America shows that subsidies for low-carbon agricultural techniques like agroforestry and silvopasture can improve food security and rural incomes, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting vulnerable ecosystems. By investing in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), governments can grow rural prosperity and empower millions of smallholder farmers. 

This Report is part of the Global Restoration Initiative and the Food and Land Use Coalition within our Forests Program and Economics Center.