A Report on the Experience and Knowledge in

GIAHS

by Dr. N. Anil Kumar

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation & Ms. Anuradha Vemuri

Additional Commissioner(NHM) Department of A & C, Govt. of India

Presentation outline

1. The Context

2. Basic characteristics and uniqueness of the Indian GIAHS designated sites

3. The on-going management efforts

4. The Challenges/Opportunities and Possible plan of actions in GIAHS management

5. Conclusions (how and why to develop the ideal sustainable management actions?)

INDIA is Growing! By 2050 What would be the ecological

implications of its then 1.5 billion people?

30-40% more food required

80-100 million ha of natural habitat converted to agriculture

2-3 times more nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer would be required

Twice as much water would be required

3 times more pesticide use

Solutions: Improve small farm productivity* integrate Sustainability dimension in Agriculture Management

India adopted necessary policies and measures for conservation and sustainable use AgBD or heritage agricultural diversity, notably after CBD decisions III/11,

IV/6, V/5, VI/5, VII/3, VIII/23, IX/1, X/44 and XI/30. Some of the specific measures taken by India:

and National Biodiversity Authority with provisions like Genome Saviour Cash Award and National Gene Fund for sustainable management of PGRs, Registration for Farmers Varieties, identification of agrobiodiversity hotspots,

and strengthening of the NARS, especially the four National Bureaus towards better management of genetic resources.

There is a 2020 National Biodiversity Target of achieving 5% increase in agricultural production based on enhanced use of agro-biodiversity.

It would be very difficult to achieve this goal unless there are intensive efforts in creating an economic stake in conservation of the Heritage Agriculture

India is implementing diverse projects that aim at achieving the triple objectives

Security and Nutrition

Nr. species known in

total ( approx)

Nr. species domesti

cated (approx)

Most important to global - level food

supply

Nr. domestic breeds & varieties

Nr. domestic breeds & varieties

at risk

Nr. domestic breeds & varieties extinct

PLANTS 17,000

320 species of

wild relatives

of crop plants

44

Rice and, kodo millet,

black gram, green

gram and spices such

as black pepper,

turmeric, cardamom

and ginger, and fruits

such as, jack fruit and

mango

Many thousands

Rice: 50,000

Sorghum: 5000

Mango:1000

Pepper: 500

Not

known

MAMMALS 372

12 cattle, pigs 26 breeds of

cattle, 40 of

sheep, 20 of

goats, 8 of

camels, 6 of

horses,8

buffalo

>500

Not

known

BIRDS 1228

10 chickens 18 of poultry >370 Not known

Source: (Kothari 1999).

4

2 3,5

8,9 7

6

10 1 11

12

1. Apatani rice fish culture of Eastern Himalayas

2. Below Sea level System, Kuttanad 3. Catamaran Fishing System, Tamil Nadu 4. Darjeeling system in the Himalayas 5. Koranganadu Silvo-pastoral System,

Tamil Nadu 6. Saffron Valley System, Kashmir 7. Traditional Agriculture System,

Koraput 8. Traditional Ladakh Agricultural System,

Ladakh, Himalayas 9. Tribal Agriculture System,

Sethamphat, Andhrapradesh 10.Pastoralists System of Thar desert of

Rajastan 11.Sikkim-Himalaya Agriculture, Sikkim 12.Soppina Bettas Systems, West Ghats

Some High priority Heritage Agricultural Systems of India

NAME OF GIAHS INGENUITY, SIGNIFICANCE

Apatani rice fish culture A combination of rice-fish cropping systems

Below Sea level System Below Sea level farming, Ingenious water management

Catamaran Fishing System The ancient tradition of fishing by catamaran (tied logs) is a sustainable way of

harvesting marine life

Darjeeling system in the Himalayas These systems feature the various tribal agriculture practices and techniques of

managing soil, water and/or a combination of cropping systems and integrating

indigenous knowledge systems

Koranganadu Silvo-pastoral System Korangadu is a traditional grazing land in the semiarid tract in the districts of Erode,

Karur and Dindigul in the Tamil Nadu state of Southern India.

Saffron Valley System The locals share and showcase their identity and the traditional knowledge

embodied in the long standing, laborious and largest family farmers organic

saffron cultivation system in the world.

Traditional Agriculture System, Koraput Rich diversity of Rice, Multiple cropping

Traditional Ladakh Agricultural System, The traditional Ladakh agriculture is unique and representative of the Tibetan plateau.

Its conservation of old land races of cultivated plants, especially of alfalfa, is of global

importance.

Tribal Agriculture System, Sethamphat, These systems feature the various tribal agriculture practices and techniques of

managing soil, water and/or a combination of cropping systems and integrating

indigenous knowledge systems

Pastoralists System of Thar desert Raikas have been guardians of agrobiodiversity; they have developed a variety of

indigenous breeds for harsh climatic conditions and maintained them within restricted

social groups.

Sikkim-Himalaya Agriculture It comprises of trans-Himalayan agro-pastoral system of the Dokpas in the alpine

plateaus, traditional agroforestry such as alder-cardamom a

Soppina Bettas Systems The common pool resource of the Soppina Bettas provides manure, botanical

pesticides, fuel wood, fodder, medicine and timber to the communities.

KUTTANAD GIAHS -A deltA Region ca 900sq. km Ca 500 km2 of the area with agricultural fields situated below sea level

GIAHS CERTIFICATION June 30, 2013

Management lead organization: MSSRF along with State Agriculture Department and Local PRIs

INGENUITY

Below sea level farming practices

Dykes building in Deep waters

Deep water land reclamation and maintenance

Rice-Fish rotation farming

HISTORY OF SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable Agriculture and fisheries

Rice Bowl of the state

Drainage for the entire region

Skill full and ingenious farmers

Unique Ecosystem and traditions

SERVICES

Livelihood support (Tourism, Agriculture,

Fisheries, Duckery etc)

Environmental Services

Climate adaptation support

Flood Management

Cultural Support

CHARACTERISTICS Delta with varied landscapes

Below sea level occurrence

Rich Biodiversity

Panoramic waterways

Vast stretches of paddy fields

Rich cultural traditions

KUTTANAD GIAHS

A Complex Mosaic of Fragmented

Agricultural Landscape

Coastal backwaters

Rivers

Paddy fields,

Marshes

Ponds,

Garden lands

Edges

Corridors and

WATER WAYS

Water areas: Large expanse comprising the rivers and lake system, in which roughly 13000 ha: VEMBANAD Lake A Ramsar Site is the major Area

Smaller scale reclamations existed since early 18th century The idea of large scale reclamation of Kayal lands was envisaged during the reign of H.H. Sree Ayilliam Thirunal Rama Varma (1860 to 1880). In the year 1903, Travancore Kingdom banned reclamations from Vemabanad Lake. This has put an end to old reclamations. Around 5500 Acres of Kayal land by this time. Venad Kayal, Madathil Kayal, Cherukara Kayal and Pallithanam Kayal Mathi Kayal & Rajapuram Kayal.

Old Reclamations

Local level efforts since long time became a trend by 1870s

Its full potential by later part of 19th century

By early 20th Century about 2226 ha and by 1930s 5261 ha reclaimed

15000 ha of reclaimed land

Ca 40,000 ha of natural land

One of the huge sized padasekharams is about 24000 acres

History of Reclamation

BIO-BUNDS

The Kuttanadan Agricultural Landscape, including the Punja Rice System that surrounded with estuaries, flood plains, Kayals, ponds and canal networks known for its diverse fish wealth.

Vembanad Fish Count 2009 identified 65 species of fin fish and 14 species of shell fish from the region (ATREE 2009).

The fresh water environment closer to rice fields and the canals provide abundance of Pearl spots, perchlets, fresh water giant prawns or attukonju and freshwater catfishes

Kuttanadan Fish wealth

The region is an ideal habitat for variety of finfish, shellfish, and several varieties of prawns, black clams, white clams and shrimps. Many fish species are reported to be depended upon the wetland for food, spawning and nursery.

Kuttanadan Fish wealth

the esteemed golden catfish of Kuttanad

The aquatic species include: 24 spp of green algae, 10 blue green algae, one species of yellow brown algae, 13 desmids and 19 diatoms 202 angiosperm species, which include 14 mangroves and 30 mangrove associates. 8 species of pteridophyta

Plant Diversity

KORAPUT GIAHS GIAHS CERTIFICATION January -2013, Management lead organization: MSSRF along with the Grass root Institution PGUS

9 Tribal community Districts and 15 major tribes

INGENUITY Rich Rice Diversity On-farm (over 300

varieties)

Multiple cropping System-millets and

pulses

Strong linkage of culture and agricultural

practices

HISTORY OF

SUSTAINABILITY

Hundreds of years

SERVICES

Genetic Diversity of Rice Ground Water recharging

CHARACTERISTICS Rich landscape

diversity/hetrogeneity

KORAPUT GIAHS

Tribe District

Bhatra Nawarangpur

Bhumia Koraput

Bonda Malkangiri

Gadaba Koraput

Gond Nawarangpur

Kandha Koraput + Rayagada

Koya Malkangiri

Paroja Koraput

Saora Rayagada

9 tribes 4 districts

BONDA Most primitive tribe of

Malkangiri district with

less than 9000 population

distributed in 24 villages.

Upper bonda and lower

bonda - classified as per

their location of

inhabitation.

Most traditionally dressed

Prefer to stay away from

civilization. Agricultural

practices are very

primitive. They practice

shifting cultivation, terrace

cultivation, fishing and

hunting. People are

aggressive and stay in

geographical isolation

KUTIA KONDH The population is about 14 lakhs. They stay isolated in the villages of Niyamagiri hills . Their main occupation is agriculture; cultivate paddy in low lands and horticulture crops like banana, papaya, jack fruit, pine apple and other cash crops like turmeric and ginger. They practise shifting and terraced cultivation.

DIDAI

Their population is confined

to Kudumulgumma uplands

of sabari basin in Malkangiri

dist.. They are premitive

tribes of kondakamberu

range. Sparcely populated

spread in 39 villages. The

Didayis are peace loving,

hospitable and gentle. They

are innovative, ingenious,

industrious and sincere.

LANGIA

SOURA Livelihood primarily on slash

and burn agriculture and

importantly on terrace cultivation.

They exhibit a high degree of

indigenous skill and technology

for preparing the terraces with

inbuilt water management system.

Mainly they grow rice in terraced

fields and a variety of minor

millets, cereals and pulses.

Community Recognition & Reward

Krishi Bisharad Sanman -2002 Equator Initiative Award - 2002

Genome Savior Award-2006

Features:

o Managed & maintained by Community

o Maintains local genetic diversity.

o Provides pure & quality seed

o Provides grains during emergencies.

o Assistance at low interest rate.

o Available at any time.

Community Food Security System

Grain Bank Seed Bank

Community Seed-Grain Bank A platform for food & nutritional security

Saffron cultivation of Pampore, Kashmir

3,200 hectares dedicated to the legendary saffron crop cultivation

Largest family farmers organic saffron cultivation system in the world

Providing livelihood security to over 17,000 farm families.

Kashmiri village women contribute through traditional tilling to flower picking

Soon after the GIAHS declaration (June 30, 2013) opened a field office in the Kuttanad site by MSSRF

Facilitated a discussion with the State Govt to start a Below Sea level Farming Research and Training Institute.

Linked with an on-going project on drinking water by rainwater harvesting and a partnership being established between Brown University in USA on rain water management and sustainable livelihoods in Kuttanad

A four month plan (till March 2014) on the GIAHS management has been finalised with focus on: Baseline study and video documentation, and designing of on -the ground 4-C projects with a three pronged approach of Research, Action, and Policy influencing

Being formed a Steering Committee consisting heritage agriculture experts, farmers and local panchayath members

Promotion of rice based livelihood development project in Koraput

Study and management of tribal agriculture with a focus on agrobiodiversity and Food and Nutrition in Koraput

Kayalum Kanaalum

Lakes and Canals

Sustainable tourism; management of WATER HYACINTH,

revival of traditional water ways

Kathirum Kattayum

Rice and Straw

Sustainable Rice Farming; rice value addition

Kuthariyum Kudivellavum

Brown Rice and Drinking Water

Food and Nutrition security, Kuttanadan rice; Rain water harvest)

Kappayum Karimeenum

Cassava and Pearlspot

Food and Nutrition security; Karimeen culture; Livelihoods)

Kachil kizhangum Konchum

Yams and Prawns

Food and Nutrition security; livelihoods)

Kaithayum Kaithozhilum

Screw-pine and Handicrafts

Biodiversity, income generation

Kandalum Carbanum

Mangroves and Carbon

Mangrove regeneration and carbon sequestration

Kottiyum, Kuyilum Kariyum

Pelicans and Fish

Biodiversity enhancement of birds and fish

Kuttanadan kuruvayum Koithum

Folksongs and Culture of Kuttanad

Revival of Kuttanadan folk songs and arts

Kuttanadan Tharavum Chorum

Duck Meat and Kuttanadan Rice

Promotion of Kuttanadan duck meat, egg and rice

HERITAGE AGRICULTURE PROMOTION PROGRAM YEAR 2020

KUTTANAD BELOW SEA LEVEL GIAHS PROGRAM: Designing 10 on-the ground Projects targeting 20 Heritage entities

MSSRF initiating the HAPPY 2020 by undertaking Project Nr 3. Funds mobilization is urgent

HAPP-Y 2020 KUTTANAD Programme Launch

HERITAGE AGRICULTURE MANAGEMENT

Challenges (top 5)

Action plans

Learning

Opportunities

The Challenges and Opportunities

FOR REVITALIZATION OF HERITAGE AGRICULTURE

Market/ Product Development

Sustainable Production Practices

Awareness on Multiple Benefits of Heritage Agriculture and AgBD

Creating an Enabling Policy Environment

Linking Science and Technology

Challenge/Opportunity Number 1

Learning from Challenge side Learning from opportunity side

No readily attractive incentives for large majority of FAMILY FARMERS for the sustainable production Rapid loss of

CoP 11 decision (XI/30) on Incentive measures CBD recognized the methodological limitations of existing approaches A number of relevant organizations such as FAO, UNDP, UNEP, IUCN, World Bank and initiatives like TEEB to support the parties to promote positive incentives and innovative measures in assessing biodiversity value and identifying and removing perverse incentives

Cost of organic inputs is high and are not conveniently available, especially the bio-control agents

A wide array of Eco-technologies are available at local level, but to be used at macro scale for the yield enhancement and assured remunerative market opportunities

Small per capita land holdings and fragmented nature of land limit the needed possible mechanization

Possibility for Group Farming exist by encouraging local community institutions (Women SHGs, Farm Field Schools etc.). Introduction of small machinery

Sustainable Production Practices

Challenge/Opportunity Number 2

Learning from Challenge side Learning from opportunity side

Problem exist in identifying the potential species and crops from the HERITAGE AGRICULTURE for MARKET. There is an urgent need for a target list of priority species, varieties and breeds based on the current level of knowledge from those 22 AgBD hotspots and 3 GIAHS Sites

Agro-biodiversity Hotspots, GIAHS sites, Biodiversity Heritage Sites, Specialty crop varieties, breeds and species are getting

micro market level (Eg. The APM project sites Wayanad, Koraput, Kolli hills, Kuttanad, Kalajeera rice in Odisha, Navara rice & Gandhakasala rice in Kerala, Milletts in Kolli hills)

Product Development culture is not there in villages

Replicable Business models exist at micro level Fair Trade opportunities exist

Lack of Consumer Awareness on the multiple benefits of products come from the local community production landscapes.

The link between health, nutrition and agrobiodiversity now being understood, but only amongst a small section of people.

Market/Product Development

Challenge/Opportunity Number 3

Learning from Challenge side Learning from opportunity side

Public Awareness required on the tangible and intangible benefits of HERITAGE AGRICULTURE and AgBD and the confidence of civil Society needs to be built on a sustainable basis with strong evidences.

Nutritional, Health , local Food , income, job security benefits are high.

Need to nurture a common understanding among the management actors about the traditional agriculture. AgBD has to be viewed in its three major dimensions. Partnership needs to build up between Govt, Private Local Communities, and consumers

Efforts are there from the part of PPVFRA and NBA , but inadequate

Involving children and teachers in Schools and Colleges difficult for less charismatic biodiversity

Awareness on Multiple Benefits of Local -Heritage

Challenge/Opportunity Number 4&5

Learning from Challenge side Learning from opportunity side

India, one of the 8 primary centres of Crop diversity and a mega biodiversity country continues to suffer significant loss of culture of the agriculture and AgBD, especially the on-farm genetic wealth and production system.

Legal entitlements (e.g. Right to food Bill, Farmers Rights, Forest Rights, ) should lead into sustainable management of Heritage Agriculture and AgBD

Leadership role of Govts should be more visible in this area Product development and input production subsidies need to be attractive

National level scheme for Saffron cultivation

Baseline Information on the Culture, AgBiodiversity, Ecosystem Services and TK/practices and their links inadequate Public financing for research in Heritage agriculture needs to be enhanced

Efforts are there to undertake cross disciplinary and participatory Assessment and Valuation of AgBD and Ecosystem Services (AbES) of the Traditionally maintained agricultural landscapes

Creating an Enabling Policy Environment and Linking Science and Technology for Better Governance and Management

A big emerging opportunity

is Climate Change!

Heritage Agriculture is Climate Smart Agriculture

Biodiverse agro-ecosystems are generally resilient to abrupt disruptions Community based management of agricultural biodiversity can underpin local adaptation

How to synergise both?

Crop Husbandry

Animal Husbandry

Agro-forestry

Fisheries

There are many opportunities for capturing synergies between the pillars of climate-smart agriculture and Heritage agriculture

Operate the Agriculture with four Gears

How do we achieve it?

Working at the landscape level with an ecosystems approach,

and the 4 Gears

Tools and knowledge on synergising heritage

agriculture and climate-smart agriculture must be further

developed and shared.

Inter-sectoral approaches and

consistent policies across the

agricultural, food security cultural

change and climate change

Study and Scaling up of effective climate-smart practices of Heritage

Agriculture

Institutional and financial support for farmers, fishers and forest

dependant peoples to make the transition frm Heritage Agriculture to

climate-smart agriculture.

Investments in Heritage-climate-smart agriculture must link

finance opportunities from public and private sectors

1 2 3

4 5

Revitalisation of the Heritage Agriculture: Ideal Plan of Action

The actions needed to be taken that benefit all the stakeholders should consider the dimensions of conservation, cultivation, consumption, and commerce aspects of HERITAGE AGRICULTURE Conservation should be integrated includes in situ, on farm and ex-situ methods Cultivation should be one that promotes use of sustainable farming methods. Consumption efforts should relate to nutrition, promoting access and ensuring availability of dietary diversity, reviving and enhancing traditional food baskets. Commercialization must be towards market development of products and creation of other economic interactions.

ONSERVATION

IN-SITU

RET PLANTS

ON-FARM

FARMERS VARS

EX-SITU

FARMERS VARS

OMMERCE

Promotion of

Responsible Commerce

ONSUMPTION Promotion of

Food & Nutritional Security

ULTIVATION

Promotion of Eco-Agriculture

CONTINUM

How can we achieve it?

Overarching Goal: C4 Incentives for Mainstreaming Agro-biodiversity in Agriculture

Thematic Areas Conservation

Cultivation

Consumption

Commerce

Objectives

Conservation & Enhancement of On-farm Diversity

Promotion of Integrated Diversity Farming

Revival of Native Food Basket and Dietary Diversity and sustainable consumption traditions

Promotion of Sustainable Livelihoods through Urban Markets for Heritage agri products and Agro-Ecosystem Services

Targeted Activities

Undertake Assessment and Valuation of Agro-biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and widely publicise the results (start with the 3 GIAHS SITES and the 22 AgBD Hotspots)

Appoint a Commission to study perverse Incentives in Agriculture and take steps to eliminate all the negative ones to AgBD

Wide campaign through Education, Communication and Training to promote and protect AbES The Target groups include the trendsetters like Politicians, Policy makers, Media people and Celebrities.

Establishment of a Business and Agro-biodiversity Platforms at district level where the Public, NGO, Private, Panchayath, Community Institutions and Farmers dialogue and act towards mainstreaming AgBD Actions

Develop a National HERITAGE AGRICULTURE Development Strategy and Action Plan

Operationalize the interventions of Agricultural Institution through a C4 Cycle

Thematic Areas

Conservation

Cultivation

Consumption

Commerce

Incentives/ Incentive Measures

Plant and Animal Genome- Saviour Cash Awards at National, State and Local levels Nationally, regionally and Locally Important Agricultural Heritage Sites with exclusive management options for operation Special Package for Conservation Farming like Community Seed Gene Grain Banks (Linking MNREGA, subsidized Electricity, Seeds, organic fertilizers and Water)

Green Card options with subsidy benefits in economical, social and political empowerment for Genome Saviours and their children of the Heritage Agri Sites Loan waiving for certified Farmer Conservers Traditional Seeds supply through options like Vending Machines for urban vegetable growers

Plant and Animal Genome- Saviour Cash Awards at National, State and Local levels Nationally, regionally and Locally Important Agricultural Heritage Sites with exclusive management options Special Package for Conservation Farming like Community Seed Gene Grain Banks (Linking MNREGA, subsidized Electricity, Seeds, organic fertilizers and Water)

Product development and input production Subsidies Branding through certifications Marketing through producer groups/ cooperatives Creation of special space for traditional products

Network of champions form Govt/private sectors

Capacity Development Opportunities for Farmer Youth, Researchers, Young Scientists, NGOs, Women through Trainings/Research

Fellowships/Certificates in sustainable management of HERITAGE AGRICULTURAL SITES

The World Biodiversity Strategic Plan

Vision (by 2050)

Option Take effective and urgent action towards halting the loss of biodiversity Option 2 Take effective and urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2020

20 Strategic Targets

1: All people are aware of the values of biodiversity. 2: The values of biodiversity are integrated into national planning process. 3: Incentives harmful to biodiversity are eliminated. 4: Stakeholders at all levels have taken steps to achieve plans.

5: The rate of loss of natural habitats is reduced. 6: Overfishing is ended. All fisheries are managed sustainably. 7. Agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are managed sustainably. 8. Pollution is brought to levels not detrimental to ecosystem. 9: Invasive alien species are controlled or eradicated. 10. Minimized the pressures by climate change.

14: Equitable access to ecosystem services is ensured. 15: Ecosystems contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. 16: Access to genetic resources is [promoted] , and benefits are shared

17: Develop and implement updated national strategy. 18: Traditional knowledge are respected. 19: Knowledge, the science base and technologies are improved. 20: Capacity for implementing the Convention has increased.

Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss

Strategic Goal BReduce the direct pressures on biodiversity

Strategic Goal C: Improve the status of biodiversity

Strategic Goal D: Enhance benefits to all from ecosystem services.

Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through capacity building

Mission by 2020

11: Areas are conserved through systems of protected areas. 12: The extinction of known threatened species has been prevented. 13: The loss of genetic biodiversity is halted.

M S SWAMINATHAN RESEARCH FOUNDATION Community Agrobiodiversity Centres , Kerala and Koraput

FOR REVITALISATION OF

COMMUNITY CONSERVATION SYSTEMS