Analysis of Soil Conservation Policies : A Case Study of Germany and Bangladesh

Based on case study through literature review, the paper was to focus mainly to analyze soil conservation policies using the Institutions of Sustainability (IoS) framework. Germany and Bangladesh were considered as study area of the paper. Although both countries are initiating conservation policies to mitigate the problems, the degree of sustainability varies from one country to the other. Among the policies, at least the incentive-based policy of agri-environmental schemes are successful and sustainable in Brandenburg even after the termination of the program. These schemes help raise farmers’ awareness of soil degradation problems through information distribution and learning processes. Apparently, lack of awareness of the problem among farmers is the first barrier to policy implementation. Obligatory policies such as the Nitrate Directive of Germany and the Fertiliser Regulation Guide of Bangladesh seem promising in achieving greater impacts. However these impacts can be achieved only when the policies are backed with effective and efficient governance structures that can be able to implement, monitor and evaluate the progress as well as sanction defaulters. Combinations of voluntary and obligatory policies across different sectors are necessary for desire result.