Land use planning and overseas production

Abstract

Land use planning is defined as the regulation of the relationship between space and human activities. Space occupied by human settlements, farmland and forests, parks, fallow land, rivers and lakes, and by transportation networks constitutes a network of areas dedicated to land uses such as agriculture, forestry, rangeland, industry, mining, recreation, and fishing. Land use planning is a comprehensive and long-term approach to planning human relations and their activities in space; it is the task of regulating and coordinating the strategies and general orientations of sectors, and it is the foundation of economies and human activities. The purpose of land use planning is to achieve an optimal distribution of economic and social activities. Land use selection and management are commonly done without regard to the carrying capacity of the land which, when exceeded, results in economic losses and in a reduction of environmental quality. The overall goal of land use planning is to achieve the optimal use of the land within the national interest framework. Accordingly, formulating a successful plan for managing the development of a country requires proper attention to the roles of geography and land use. Creation of a suitable balance between the Earth and its use by human activities can be achieved by proper land management. The increasing importance of environmental issues and human alteration of natural environments calls for sustainable development and land use practices that conserve natural resources while benefiting society and the environment. Nowadays, due to many factors such as climate change, population growth, changing standards of living, poverty, access to education, and mismanagement of natural and water resources, there is a need to diversify food and agricultural production in a variety of ways. Overseas cultivation is one of them, and it has potential for improving agricultural production. The practice of overseas cultivation by a country means planting and harvesting of a variety of agricultural products in other countries to be sold in its domestic market or in foreign markets. There are five basic principles that underline the success of overseas cultivation involving any group of countries: (1) mutual respect for the governance of all countries; (2) making and abiding by agreements between the countries; (3) non-interference in the internal problems of each country and respect for the territorial integrity of all countries; (4) optimal use of human resources and capacities to support agricultural activities and trade; and (5) expanding security and military cooperation.