“To make up for the disadvantages for agriculture in mountain regions, a maximum utilization of synergies with and between other economic and social spheres is essential.”
– Mr. Hans-Jörg Lehmann.

The International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in Mountain Regions took place in Adelboden in June 2002. On this occasion the Network interviewed Mr. Hans-Jörg Lehmann from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich, and one of the main organizers of the Conference. In the interview Mr. Lehmann explains why agriculture is different in mountain regions and how sustainable agriculture might be achieved in these regions.

Why is sustainable agriculture more "delicate" in mountains regions?

Agriculture in mountain areas, for instance, has fewer opportunities for agricultural rationalization than low-land areas have. Due to the topography and climatic conditions possibilities for mechanization are comparably restricted. To respond to short term work peaks it is necessary to cooperate with industry. The cost levels, which are higher due to the natural conditions, also necessitates proportionally higher prices - in order to maintain economic sustainability. The generally more limited competitiveness ability of agriculture in mountain regions leads to a strong dependency on the general level of development in rural areas in mountain regions. Access to education or markets, for instance, requires well connected and developed villages and agricultural enterprises. Infrastructural development is often more cost intensive in mountain areas. In case of financial shortcomings, respective investments in infrastructural development are - out of economic considerations - only carried out to a limited extent.

Are there differences with regard to SARD between developed and developing countries?

No. SARD is an integrated policy concept which all countries can make use of. A visible difference rather lies in the countries' level of development. In Switzerland we also had to solve the land tenure question, for instance, or the enormous over-exploitation of forests. Today, developed and developing countries have much in common. One fact in common is that in most countries, agriculture and rural areas have to struggle to generate sufficient income. With a joint strategy much more can be reached, be it nationally or internationally.

How can the recognition of the multifunctional character of agriculture benefit sustainable development in mountains?

The implementation of the multifunctional character of agriculture in mountain areas results in important secondary benefits for various different spheres: the environment, landscape, tourism, industry, and social life in villages. However, it also reduces rural-urban migration. In this sense, agriculture plays an important role in the process towards sustainability in rural areas.

Today's challenges facing these functions lie in the concrete, effective and gradual design of appropriate framework, policies and programmes at local, national and international levels. By this we mean, for instance, the country-specific creation of the basic conditions for rural activities such as regulation of land tenure, access to water, creating opportunities for education and exchange of experiences, as well as economic factors such as rural infrastructure, access to capital, fair compensation for environmental achievements and for other services such as activities preventing natural disasters. This should enable people working in agriculture and rural areas, on a long-term basis, to achieve the goals, economically as well as socially, which are expected by society.

Agriculture as well as forestry are the most area-intensive land use systems. Depending on a country's level of development and society's needs, its economic contribution to the national economy varies. But independently of such country-specific priorities, it appears that agriculture is location-bound and has an "own" interest in using its resources (human capital, natural and reproduction capital) in a sustainable way and in renewing them.

How should the different stakeholders, including NGOs/CSOs work for SARD in Mountains Areas?

The stakeholders and their umbrella organizations have a central role to play. SARD is not an end in itself and should not serve as an argument either just so that nice conferences can be organized. Stakeholders, in particular consumers, business, trade, industry, as well as farmers, carry themselves a clear joint responsibility, yet also benefiting. They must create dialogue and search for solutions. In this respect they are expected to take active part in the development and realization of SARD.

Which are the main results of Adelboden?

Adelboden has shown that SARD-Mountain and SARD represents a joint comprehensive political approach. It includes three dimensions of action:

1. The agricultural sector and rural areas should be enabled to take the responsibility to meet the challenges and to act on their own initiative. To this end a number of instruments are placed at their disposal by the state, namely: research, education, training, as well as consultation, i.e. capacity building.
2. It should be economically attractive for agriculture and rural areas to work towards their goals in a way that makes them assume the responsibility of renewing reproductive resources and of generating sufficient income on a continuous basis.
3. The fundamental expectations of society (obligations of the agricultural sector), as well as the necessary basic conditions for sustainable agricultural production (access to land, water, leasing, work standards/regulations, etc. should be regulated by law.

How will the results of Adelboden be disseminated? Which are the next steps for the follow-up?

Adelboden was a specific SARD-Mountains momentum which constitutes another step on the way to the concretization of chapter 14 of Agenda 21. SARD-Mountains, as well as SARD, constitute an overall policy concept for rural areas. The three dimensions of sustainability are considered and at the same time relate to many other chapters of Agenda 21. The results from Adelboden point to some rather heterogeneous needs for action. These include the exchange of local experiences, concrete local projects, like Watershed-management or access to land or internationally harmonized indicator and norm systems (sustainability has to be measurable and possible to communicate), consumer information, and access to markets.

All these questions and tasks are already being dealt with in various ways and in different forums. As a consequence, efforts are sometimes duplicated or wasted. For this reason a central task in the SARD process is to bring all stakeholders and governments together to coordinate the many efforts. FAO has a particular role to play in the UN System. On the one hand its members are from countries in the South as well as the North, on the other hand it is responsible for programmes for many agriculture-relevant tasks. On the side of agriculture and rural areas we, the stakeholders, must have a strong interest, together with FAO, to strengthen our common role.

More concretely, in 2003, SARD should have a four-year work plan for a pilot phase and it should be presented and approved by the "FAO Conference 03". Clarification of roles and cooperation with other organizations and forums should be paid special attention. However, conviction and enthusiasm should not be lost. It will not be entirely uncomplicated to establish the SARD Process politically. Many farmers and consumers, and probably also their organizations, still do not know SARD. Others might say: "What you want to do, we are already doing". Again, others will assume a rejecting position thus causing trade restrictions. Local communication is also very important.