systems. Combined with experience gained from AID and 

 FAO-sponsored projects and interaction with the 

 international agricultural research centers and their 

 research programs on farming systems, a sound basis 

 exists for transferring this technology to developing 

 countries. With USDA's new authority for foreign work 

 (see Chapter 1 , p. 35) , SCS, the Agricultural Research 

 Service, and the Forest Service could engage more fully 

 in cooperative efforts. 



U.S. universities have been involved in many 

 international projects such as the interdisciplinary 

 program on water management in Pakistan sponsored by 

 AID, and they are likely to become more involved in the 

 future through Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act. 

 Universities can better help developing countries if 

 provision is made for continuity. 



Proposed Initiatives 



We recommend that the United States indicate its 

 readiness to intensify support for U.S. and 

 international institutions (university, government, or 

 private) capable, on a long-term basis, of supporting 

 the foregoing activities and establishing technical 

 training courses for short-terra, nondegree skill 

 development in conservation practices, soil 

 classification, land-use capability determination, and 

 farm management planning. 



We also recommend that the United states indicate 

 readiness to respond to requests from developing 

 countries for joint development of farm managment and 

 farm systems analysis capability; examples include: 

 aerial photography, photo interpretation, and field 

 evaluation of land resources; adaptive research to 

 field test and evaluate proposed practices and to 

 develop alternative farming systems; and demonstration 

 farms to publicize the results and inform farmers. 



Some of these activities are already being done, 

 some could be implemented immediately, while others may 

 require more time for full development. SCS and the 

 land-grant universities, for example, could immediately 

 provide training for and assistance in the adoption of 

 the U.S. Soil Taxonomy in interested countries. 



Success in any effort related to land and water 

 management largely depends on developing a cadre of 

 competent and dedicated practitioners within the target 

 countries. U.S. -based training programs have been used 

 effectively in the past, but they would be more 

 effective if they specifically emphasized conditions in 

 developing countries. Excessive emphasis on advanced 

 graduate training in narrow disciplinary specialties 



131 



