Agriculture and Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Libya

Abstract:

The current study investigates issues related to sustainable agriculture in Libya in the light of various theories of sustainable agriculture. The rationale for this study is the need to investigate the importance of a sustainable agriculture sector as the country diversifies its sources of revenue. The aim of the government is to reinvigorate the country's once-thriving agricultural sector in the interests of food security by minimising its need for food importation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with farm workers and managers to elicit their views on the current state of agriculture in Libya, the challenges they faced due to arid climatic conditions and their opinions as to what needed to be prioritised in government agrarian policies. The key findings which emerged from thematic analysis are then presented and discussed. The study concludes with recommendations which the participants considered important for combatting the challenges to sustainable agriculture in desert regions.