Description
WOCAT's Global Database on Sustainable Land Management (SLM) is a free access source of field-tested SLM data, detailing SLM practices and maps from different locations around the world, and offers practitioners the opportunity to share their own SLM practices or maps.
Technology
WOCAT maintains the database of SLM approaches, which can be accessed through any browser, as well as a tool for the mapping of both the current degradation status and current management efforts, thus facilitating the identification of areas where action is needed most. WOCAT’s Global Database on Sustainable Land Management provides details of more than 2442 SLM Practices in 136 countries, uploaded by 475 users (as of July 2024).
Target
WOCAT is an established global network of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) specialists. The overall goal of the WOCAT Network is to unite knowledge management and decision-support efforts, allowing the scaling up of SLM among all stakeholders, who include national governmental and non-governmental organizations, and international and regional organizations and programmes.
Business model
WOCAT’s Global Database on Sustainable Land Management is free to access and use.
Impact
The WOCAT Database is the primary database of SLM best practices, and is recommended by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Various outputs are generated: 1) numerous technologies have been tested in the field, and their effectiveness has been demonstrated in the prevention of soil degradation and improvements in crop yields; 2) the applied stakeholder approach has enhanced collaborations between local stakeholders, and has empowered them in their contacts with decision-makers and 3) the data can be accessed globally from the internet, and through the book “DESIRE for Greener Land”.
Partners
University of Bern, Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) , Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), ISRIC World Soil Information , Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) , International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) , International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA)
Four Betters
Better production
Better nutrition
Better environment
Better life
