FAO launches first land degradation neutrality strategy in the Republic of Moldova – Food and Agriculture Organization

FAO Initiative in the Republic of Moldova to Combat Land Degradation and Advance Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Strategic Alignment with SDGs

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has developed a comprehensive land degradation neutrality (LDN) strategy and associated local action plans for 32 localities within the Orhei, Rezina, and Șoldănești districts of the Republic of Moldova. This initiative directly addresses the nation’s accelerating land degradation, a significant threat to the agricultural sector and national food security, thereby aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). The primary objective is to improve soil health and enhance agricultural resilience, contributing fundamentally to the targets of SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Project Framework and Objectives

The strategy is a component of an FAO project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It is designed to curb erosion and land degradation while promoting environmentally friendly, climate-smart agricultural practices. The project provides scientific data, methodological approaches, and practical solutions for local authorities and farmers to achieve LDN.

• Provide recommendations for suitable crop types and soil management techniques.
• Propose agroforestry measures to preserve and nourish soil carbon stocks.
• Promote the responsible use of natural resources to preserve soil health while ensuring maximum productivity potential.
• Serve as a basis for a nationwide strategy to combat desertification and achieve LDN.

Methodology and Implementation

To ensure the local action plans were scientifically grounded and tailored to local needs, the FAO undertook a multi-stage, participatory process consistent with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. A thorough inventory of land resources and soil quality was conducted in the pilot areas.
2. Expert teams were deployed to assess local landscapes and collect soil samples according to a pre-designed methodology.
3. Detailed maps and Geographic Information System (GIS) instruments were created to support data-backed decision-making.
4. Public consultations were held with local stakeholders, including mayors, councillors, cadastral engineers, agricultural producers, and land users, to tailor recommendations.

Projected Outcomes and Contribution to SDG 15

The implementation of the action plans is expected to yield significant environmental benefits, directly contributing to the targets of SDG 15 (Life on Land) by halting and reversing land degradation.

• Increase forest cover to 16 percent of the total land area.
• Expand protective forest belts by 130 hectares.
• Reduce the area of degraded lands by 1,300 hectares.
• Reduce severely eroded areas by 120 hectares.

Stakeholder Engagement and Future Outlook

Local authorities have endorsed the strategy and plans, recognizing them as valuable references for urban development and investment projects due to their robust scientific foundation. Ion Botnari, the mayor of Chiperceni, noted the direct link between the project’s goals and local welfare, stating, “These local action plans help us understand what measures we must take to improve soil quality and, consequently, ensure food security for our citizens,” highlighting the connection to SDG 2. Each locality’s plan includes a communication and awareness strategy to engage communities, farmers, and civil society organizations in implementation. The success of these local efforts has prompted the national government to adopt them as a basis for a nationwide strategy, scaling up Moldova’s commitment to achieving SDG 15.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

Analysis of Relevant Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 15: Life on Land: This is explicitly mentioned in the article. The entire initiative focuses on combating land degradation, restoring soil health, increasing forest cover, and achieving land degradation neutrality, which are central themes of SDG 15. The text states the project supports “efforts in the Republic of Moldova to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land).”
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article connects land degradation directly to threats against the “agricultural sector” and food security. The mayor of Chiperceni is quoted saying the plans help “ensure food security for our citizens.” By improving soil quality and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, the project aims to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience, which is a core component of achieving Zero Hunger.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The project promotes “environmentally friendly, climate-smart agricultural practices” and aims to “preserve and nourish soil carbon stocks.” Healthy soils and increased forest cover are critical for carbon sequestration, contributing to climate change mitigation. The focus on “long-term agricultural resilience” also addresses adaptation to climate change.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The initiative is a multi-stakeholder partnership. The article describes it as an “FAO project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF)” that involves collaboration with “key national stakeholders,” “local authorities,” “farmers,” and “civil society organizations.” This collaborative model of sharing data, expertise, and resources for a common goal exemplifies SDG 17.

Specific Targets Identified

Detailed Breakdown of SDG Targets

• Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. The article’s central theme is the development of a “land degradation neutrality strategy” and action plans to address the country’s “accelerating land degradation.” The project’s goal is to provide solutions “to achieve land degradation neutrality.”
• Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. The article outlines specific expected outcomes that align with this target, such as “increasing forest cover to 16 percent of the total land area” and “expanding protective forest belts by 130 ha.”
• Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production… and that progressively improve land and soil quality. The project promotes “climate-smart agricultural practices,” “soil management and agroforestry measures,” and aims to “improve soil quality” to ensure “maximum productivity potential” and “long-term agricultural resilience.”
• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The promotion of “climate-smart agricultural practices” and the goal of achieving “long-term agricultural resilience” directly contribute to strengthening the adaptive capacity of the agricultural sector to climate-related challenges like drought and erosion.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Mentioned or Implied Indicators

• Area of degraded land (Indicator 15.3.1): The article provides specific, quantifiable indicators to measure progress in combating land degradation. The expected outcomes include “reducing the area of degraded lands by 1 300 ha and severely eroded areas by 120 ha.”
• Forest cover as a proportion of total land area: This is a direct indicator for Target 15.2. The article states a clear goal of “increasing forest cover to 16 percent of the total land area.”
• Area of afforestation/reforestation: The plan to expand “protective forest belts by 130 ha” serves as a direct, measurable indicator of reforestation efforts.
• Soil quality metrics: The article implies the use of soil quality indicators. The project involved an “inventory of land resources and soil quality” and the collection of “soil samples.” A key objective is to “preserve and nourish soil carbon stocks,” which can be measured as an indicator of soil health and climate action.
• Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices: The promotion of “climate-smart agricultural practices” and “soil conservation practices” implies that the number of farmers adopting these methods or the total land area under such management would be a key indicator of success.

Summary Table

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: fao.org