Strategies for local development and combat of desertification and poverty in indigenous local communities of the Argentinean Monte Desert

ELENA M. ABRAHAM Y GABRIELA C. PASTOR

Israel

Conferencia; Desert and Desertification. Challenges and Opportunities; 2006

UNCCD-Ben Gurion University of the Negev

The case study discussed is made from an interdisciplinary study directed towards the knowledge of the challenges and opportunities faced by local communities. The communities have a high indigenous component (huarpe people) and are located in the drylands of the Argentinean Monte deserto The case study was conducted through the Department of Lavalle, eastem Mendoza. An integral design of a Demonstrative Unit for sustainable production and services in the desert was developed. For this purpose, based on the acknowledgement of the existing potential for rural development, a strategy for sustainable local development carne forth from a perspective surmounting the traditional compensatory and assistance approach. The central objective is to submit, for discussion, analysis and reflection, a process of intervention in land management based on intensive use of indigenous resources as a strategy to combat desertification and poverty in the drylands of the centre-west of Argentina. The methodology of work has been outlined within the framework of the research-participative action from a standpoint of sustainable local and rural development, as well as regional planning. In accordance with the methodology used, theoretical and operative conc1usions are presented, with the former oriented to promote local development, and the latter tending to facilitate replication of the experience in other areas of similar eco-productive characteristics.