The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) and DA Regional Field Office (RFO) II participated in the Landscape Resource Conservation for Achieving Land Degradation and Carbon Neutrality. The Agency was represented by Engr. Amelene C. Derita and Engr. Rodel Carlos of the DA-BSWM and DA-RFO II, respectively. The training was held at the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid and Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana, India on February 3-21, 2025.

The objectives of the training are (a) to reorient policymakers and technocrats about landscape resource conservation approach for achieving land degradation neutrality and sustainable crop intensification, (b) to introduce the concept of land resource inventory and with hydrology in designing developing landscape-based resource conservation measures along with exposure visit, and (c) to discuss the science-policy gap in natural resource management and developing strategies for scaling up. 

The training which was participated in by 14 countries in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa was sponsored by the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC). The participants are research workers who are actively involved in agriculture and food systems, both from universities and public sector agencies from low and middle-income countries. The 21-day training has equipped the participants with learnings in landscape conservation, sustainable farming, carbon neutrality, and digital platforms for sustainable agriculture among others. They were also exposed to the various in-situ conservation measures that the ICRISAT has been implementing. Moreover, the participants had also a chance to have a dialogue with farmer-beneficiaries of the technologies. One of the highlights of the dialogue is the willingness of the farmers to adopt and maintain the technologies because they have seen the impacts it had on their farming communities. 

The participants have gained substantial learnings and will look into the potential applications in their respective countries. ICRISAT has also expressed its support and willingness to be a partner in the implementation of the technologies they have piloted. 

The DA-BSWM, headed by Director Gina Parde-Nilo, Ph.D. and Assistant Director Denise A. Solano has been very supportive of the professional growth and exemplary conduct of its staff, and is devoted to promoting excellence in the workplace and the BSWM as a whole.

Photo credits: ICRISAT and Engr. Amelene Derita