A Framework for International Standard for Conservation Agriculture: Towards Stewardship for Sustainable Production
Lin S.J, Friedrich T., Hansmann B, Kassam A.
Presenter: Shang-Jung, Lin (MSc Organic Agriculture, Wageningen University)Date: 29 Sep 2011
Outline
IntroductionPurpose International Standard for Conservation
AgricultureGeneral introductionStructure Example of contentApplication Challenges and further development
Introduction
FAO strategic objective A 2010-2019 : sustainable intensification of crop production
Population GrowthHigher life expectancy, better nutrition demandPressures on nature resourcesDemand on multiple agricultural outputs
Agricultural Production
Comes along with depletion of nature resources
Food Feed Fiber
Climate Change
Mitigation
Flood and Erosion Control
Biodiversity
Conservation
Ground Water
Recharge
Fuel
+
--
+ + +
- -
Goods
Environmental
Services
Introduction
Introduction
Goods
Environmental Services
Income Sources
Free or Public Services
Conservation Agriculture
Sustainable Crop Intensification via Agro-
ecological Approches
balance
Promote CA application by providing extended benefits to farmers who practice this conceptReward farmers with more tangible forms
Assure the integrity of CA practices by setting up Good Agriculture Practices specifically for CAFollow three pillars in order to receive the real
effects of CA farming
Mitigate the gap between different initiatives regarding certification schemesDefinition of level of tillage and soil cover etc.
Purposes
International Standard for Conservation AgricultureScope
Any crop including annual crops and perennial crops grown worldwide
Potential UsersFarmers CA Communities of Practices (CoPs)Stewardship ownersGovernments
Growth Potential124 M ha of no-tillage area worldwide currentlyExpanding at the rate of 6 M ha per annum
International Standard for Conservation Agriculture
Major practices
Structure of the Standard:
Forward Planning Precise Operation
Economically Feasible Reduce Usage of Pesticide and Herbicide
Fodder Production
Structure of the Standard:1. Soil Management
- Avoid mechanical soil disturbance
- Avoid soil compaction- Maintain soil cover- Avoid soil from contamination with agrochemicals
2. Water Management - Build up soil organic matter
and implement soil restoration
- Maximum water infiltration and reduce evaporation losses
- Impact assessment of water management
3. Crop and Fodder Production
- Implement crop rotation - Conduct crop protection - Close Nutrient cycle by
integrating system
4. Inputs Management - Seeds- Agrochemicals- Fertilizer and nutrient management- Energy management
International Standard for Conservation Agriculture
• Content of the Standard
International Standard for Conservation Agriculture
Application of Standard
International Standard for Conservation Agriculture
To be certified for Stewardship
To be operated as a policy incentives
Agricultura Certificada (AC)
National CA Program (India)
- Stewardship for Sustainable Agriculture
Certification Proliferations
Target Mentioning about CA practice
Round Table on Responsible Soy Association
All kinds of Soy production
Three pillars of CA are mentioned as methods of soil erosion control and prevention practices in RTRS standard.
Rain Forest Alliance Agricultural products, forest
Three pillars of CA are described as criteria in climate module comprised in Sustainable Agriculture Standard.
Unilever Sustainable agriculture
Agricultural products
The principles of CA are covered through the content in Crop Growing Guidelines ex: to keep soil covered, economical viably crop rotation, minimum tillage
• To Create a Module as “CA Module” following the Standard• Farms comply with CA module are equally qualified for getting certification
- Payment for Environmental Services
How CA standard fit in PES scheme?Conservation effects of CA should be recognized by PES
projectsFarmers comply with CA standard are rewarded with PES
benefits.Steps
Map depiction (Soil, Watershed, Biodiversity, tillage level)Define Baseline Incorporate with point system or scoring system
Examples for PES Carbon Offsets
Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) Alberta Offset System (AOS)
Water Management RUPES Project: Eco-friendly land use management Itaipu with FEBRAPDP: Eco-friendly farming
- Policy Incentives
How CA standard fit in policy support schemeGovernments recognize CA as one of the agri-
environmental measures Point CA faming as one of the desired conditions in
rural areaSteps
MappingDescribe desired conditionsIdentify indicators
Potential for Policy SupportLow Carbon Emission Agricultural Program
(Brazil)ECAF
Challenges
How the standard be adopted in various local condition?
How the standard well applies to smallholders?How to distinguish the level of performance?
Waste managementDefine Mandatory practices and adjustable
practices Identify sustainability indicatorsCombine with measurement toolsDevelop scoring system
Further Development
International Standard for Conservation Agriculture
Acknowledgement
Dr. Theodore Freidrich (FAO) Dr. Amir Kassam (Reading University)Dr. Berthold Hansmann (GIZ)Dr. Tom Goddard (Alberta)Dr. Ivo Mello (CAAPAS)Agronomist Juliana Albertengo (Aapreid)
Delta Foundation (Taiwan )