Abstract
The condition and management of land resources has become an increasing matter of concern in recent years, because of the pressure placed upon land for agricultural use by expanding populations and economic development. Pressures upon land quality can lead to various forms of land degradation, such as in soil erosion, soil fertility decline, adverse changes in water resources, salinization of irrigated areas, or decline in the biological condition of forests or rangelands. In 1992, World Bank estimates that the cost of degraded areas has been estimated as 10-50 times higher than that of measures to prevent degradation. Based upon a survey interviewed with people living in rural areas, the present study argue that it is important to establish policies for preventing changes in agricultural land use, to provide early warning of adverse trends and identification of problem areas. The present study also stresses that stewardship of agricultural land resources plays a leading role in achieving sustainable rural development not to mention agricultural and forestry production.
