The author contends that Geographic Information System (GIS) technology can help lending institutions better understand the long-term consequences of economic development projects on African land and climate resources. Issues that are specifically addressed include: the application of GIS to investment plans for the agriculture sector, what can go wrong in agriculture planning when environmental data are not included, how scientific data bases and ADP system software can be used by economists and other social scientists to anticipate the impact of bank projects on natural resource systems, and what can be done to minimize environmental damages in agriculture development. Inputs to the [`]ideal' investment process include: geocoded satellite, climate, environment and demographic data.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.