environmental sustainability of family farms
DESCRIPTION
Environmental sustainability of family farming can be obtained by helping family farms to conserve and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources on their farms, namely water, land and biodiversity.TRANSCRIPT
International Consultation on Family Farming M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai, INDIA
6 August, 2014
Mahmoud El SolhDirector General
International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Family Farms in the Dry Areas
Outline
Dry areas and family farming: the challenges ahead;
Environmental, social and economic sustainability of family farming are very much interrelated;
What science can do & what ICARDA is doing to support family farming?
Examples of research achievements to enhance environmental, social and economic sustainability of family farms in the dry areas;
Looking ahead and conclusions.
Dry Areas and Family Farming:The Challenges Ahead
Dry areas cover 41% of the earth’s surface, and are home to over 2.5 billion people – and the majority of the world’s poor.
About 16% of the population lives in chronic poverty, particularly in marginal rainfed areas.
The Dry Areas
The People of the Drylands
• 800 million poor and vulnerable people depend on agricultural systems for food security and livelihoods
• Economically and politically marginalized• Population growth in drylands highest in the world• Population distribution skewed to the young• High rates of unemployment• High rates of urbanization• Dependency on off-farm or non-farm income• Women provide a significant portion of the work needed
on family farms• 75-80% of food comes from small farmers out of which
family farming constitute a large proportion
Much of the Agriculture in the Dry Lands Depends on Smallholder Family Farms
This involves the hard work of the rural men, women and children working in all areas of agriculture: croppers, pastoralists, forest dwellers, fishers and herders
They derive a significant portion of their income from farming, involve members of the family in managing the farm and rely predominantly on family labor (IFAD 2014)
This is why it is essential to ensure the environmental, social and economic
sustainability of family farming&
The timeliness of the International Year of Family Farming
& The timeliness of International Consultation on
Family Farming Organized by M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation
(MSSRF)
Abiotic Constraints Facing Family Farming in Dry Areas
Physical and economic water scarcity
Rapid natural resource degradation and desertification/land degradation
Groundwater depletion
Drought & heat
Salinity
Climate change
-80
-70
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003 2006
m
Decrease of the Souss aquifer level in Morocco
Rising temperatures: higher temperatures will reduce crop productivity
Increased frequency of droughts Excess rainfall/flooding Milder winter Increase in the areas affected by
salinity Changes in crop cycles (shorter
growing season) Newly emerging pests and diseases Salt water intrusion in coastal areas
Challenges associated with climate change facing family farming
Biotic Constraints
Salinity Insect PestsFungi Diseases
Weeds/Parasitic Weeds
Inputs and Socio-Economic Constraints
Insufficient technology available and extension services Seed availability/quality Availability of fertilizer Timely control and availability of pesticides for weed
and pest control; Mechanization affordability/access to suitable small
machinery Availability of credit to farmers Price fluctuation Access to markets: local, regional & international
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Further Challenges to the Drylands: Inadequate Policies and Insufficient Institutions
Inadequate agricultural policies for sustainable agricultural development
Insufficient investment in agricultural research and development
Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Family Farming
are Very Much Interrelated
Environmental Sustainability of Family Farming
– Environmental sustainability of family farming can be obtained by helping family farms to conserve and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources on their farms, namely water, land and biodiversity.
– Thus, research must focus on enhancing water availability, water productivity and water use efficiency; building soil productivity fertility and combating land degradation; and conserving biodiversity through sustainable use.
Social Sustainability of Family Farming
Social sustainability of family farming can be achieved through:– Generating more employment opportunities for family
farming members;– Empower women and strife for social equity;– Attract youth to agriculture by making agriculture an
attractive profession: intellectually challenging and economically rewarding;
– Improving infrastructure in rural areas and providing institutional services;
– Improving livelihoods by improving quality of life, not just more income.
Economic Sustainability of Family Farming
Economic sustainability of family farming can be achieved by generating more income through:– Having higher productivity;– Creating more job opportunities;– Producing high value crops;– Producing added value products; – Reducing production costs;– Improving post-harvest handling;– Linking farmers to markets; – Providing opportunities for micro-credit to small enterprises.
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Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Family Farming are inter-related: The Vicious Circle in Dry Areas
What Science Can Do & What ICARDA is Doing to Support Family Farming?
What Science and Technology Can Doto Help Family Farming?
Genetic improvement for higher yields, resistance to diseases and pests; higher nutrient content; drought tolerance and crops adapted to shorter growing seasons;
Enhancing sustainable use and management of natural resources: water, land and biodiversity;
Improving market access (inputs and outputs) and moving into value chains and added value products for increaseing income and improving livelihoods;
Strengthening policies and community/institutional frameworks.
What is ICARDA Doing to Support Family Farming in the Drylands?
ICARDA is focusing on science and technology to enhance livelihoods of resource-poor farmers and family farming in dry areas.
It is leading the CGIAR Research program on Dryland Agricultural Production Systems (CRP 1.1) to unleash the productive potential of small farmers and family farms in the drylands:
In low potential and marginal drylands: helping family farms to develop strategies and tools to minimize their risk and reduce their vulnerability
Higher-potential drylands regions: supporting farming families to sustainably intensify their agricultural production systems
Map of Action Site of Dryland SystemsCGIAR Research Program (CRP)
Dryland Systems CRP
Bringing practical solutions to family farms in the dry areas for improved livelihoods and food security through large scale action research
Involving partners & stakeholders across the research for development continuum;
Promoting relevant technologies, knowledge and policies;
Following an integrated systems approach to ensure synergy;
Focusing on women and youth empowerment; Targeting five regions.
Examples of Research Achievements to Enhance Environmental, Social and Economic
Sustainability of Family Farms in the Dry Areas
Examples of Research Achievements to Enhance Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Family Farms in the Dry Areas
Crop Improvement for yield potential & for abiotic and biotic stresses;
Improving water availability and management & grey water use;
Intensification & diversification of cropping systems;
High value crops, protected agriculture and added value products ;
Integrated livestock/rangelands/crops production systems & added value dairy product in marginal dry areas.
Crop Improvement for Higher Yield Potential & Abiotic and Biotic Stresses
Improved varieties released to farming community
High yield potential Agronomic traits: e.g. earliness, canopy architecture Tolerance to abiotic stresses:
• Drought• Heat• Cold• Salinity
Resistance/tolerance to biotic stresses• Diseases• Insect pests• Parasitic weeds
Yield t/ha
% recurrent parent
Cham 6*2/SW2 1.6 147
Cham 6*2/SW2 1.5 138
Cham-6 1.10 100
Attila-7 1.3 Parent Variety
Wheat Crossed with Wild Relatives: Synthetic Wheat, tolerance to excessive drought
Yield of “synthetic derivatives” compared to parents under drought stress. (Tel Hadya 2008 -- 211 mm)
Yields (kg/ha) of promising durum wheat genotypes under rainfed (RF) and supplemental irrigation (SI)
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
Rf (321 mm) Rf+SI (321+70 mm) Fvrbl+SI (524+70 mm)
Mean (kg/ha)
Max(kg/ha)
RF = Rainfed; SI = Supplemental Irrigation
11 t/ha
6/t/ha
3.7t/ha
RF (321 mm) RF+SI (321+70 mm) RF+SI (524+70 mm)
Yield potential of newly developed durum genotypes
at ICARDA durum breeding program
0 2000 4000 6000 8000
10000 12000 14000 16000
Miki1 Ouaserl Ouasloukos Ouaserl Aghrass2 Amedakul1 Haurani (Landrace) Korifla (Impr)
Kg/ha
Yield potential of recently improved durum wheat
Drought tolerant chickpea variety survived 2007 drought in Turkey
Kabuli chickpea, ‘Gokce’, developed by Turkish national scientists and ICARDA scientists, has withstood severe drought in Turkeyand produced when most other crops failed in 2007.
‘Gokce’ chickpea variety is used on about 80% of the chickpea production areas (over 550,000 ha). With a yield advantage of 300 kg/ha over other varieties, and world prices over USD 1000/t, this represented an additional USD 165 million for Turkish family farms in 2007 alone.
Food Legumes Family Farming In Ethiopiaimproved livelihoods of the resource-poor
Research Impact: Food Legumes in Ethiopia
Alemaya lentil variety widely adopted in Ethiopia for high decortication quality
Increase in production 2000/01 - 2009/10:• Lentils: 3 times• Faba Bean: 40%• Chickpea: 60%
Increased production and decortication processing in lentil provides employment in rural areas
Field visits involving policy makers
Family Farming An Example in Pulse Cultivation in India
Family members are involved in lentil harvest
Grasspea harvest by family members
Control of Insect Pests Resistance/Tolerance to Hessian Fly in Wheat
Hessian Fly Resistant Variety in Morocco
Hessian fly causes economic damage in North Africa and North Kazakhstan
Resistant lines
Released varieties resistant to black stem and yellow rust in
Ethiopia
Resistances to new races of yellow rust in West Asia
Resistance to Rust Diseases in Wheat
Examples on Environmental Sustainability of Family Farming:Improving Water Availability and Productivity & &
Sustainable Use and Management of Water Resources
Enhancing Water Productivity, Managementand Water Productivity
More efficient irrigation systems: enhancing water productivity through both modernization of irrigation systems and improving the efficiency of surface irrigation
Modifying cropping patterns towards high value crops
Supplemental irrigation
Water harvesting: macro- and micro-water catchments & contour planting
Deficit irrigation
Watershed management
• Water harvesting sites established;• Technology of sub-surface irrigation used in Afghanistan for the
first time.
ACHIEVEMENTS (2009-2011)Afghanistan:
Water management in dryland farming
18 family farms (women and men) along with project team visited Jordan to exchange practical knowledge on waste/greywater use in irrigation
Exchange experience about waste/greywater re-use (Gaza and West Bank)
Field-days and awareness sessions for the safe use of treated grey/wastewater in irrigation
15 field days were conducted I West Bank and Gaza attended by
165 farmers
Brochures on safety and productive use guidelines were distributed
Sustainable Intensification & Diversification of Production Systems
& Added-Value Products
The three pillars for integrated approach for sustainable agricultural development
Socio-economic & policy, and institutional support
Sustainable Natural resource management and inputs
Crop & livestock genetic improvement
Integration at field and farmers levels
Sustainable Intensification of Broad Wheat Production –Improves varieties, Water management and inputs Raised-Bed Planting
FP: furrows irrigation FlP: flat bed irrigation RBP: raised bed irrigation
Raised-Bed Planting
Yield (t/ha) Water consumption(000m3/ha)
WUE(kg/m3)0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9Raised bedFlat surface
Egypt: Sharkia ProvinceAdvantage of raised bed planting
Average of 2011 and 2012
30 % increase in grain yield25 % saving in irrigation water72 % increase in WUE
Small-scale mechanized raised-beds systems for water savings
Key Benefits Saves water by 20% Reduces seed rate by 50% Decreases production cost by 25% Reduces planting time by 88% Increases crops yields by 15-25%
Diversification of Production Systems Using High-Value Crops
Promotion of improved technologies for producing value-added products for higher income for family farms and rural communities in the intensified/diversified integrated crop/rangeland/livestock production systems
Indigenous dryland fruit trees are good examples: olives, figs, dates, palm, pomegranate, pistachio, almonds, etc.
Diversification of Production Systems with Medicinal Plants: processing, value addition and more income
High Value Crops & Protected Agriculture
Soilless Culture
Increased yield per unit
of water, space and
energy
Protected Agriculture
Diversifies production and diets; generates employment And more income, improves water use efficiency
Protected Agriculture for Family Farming
AfghanistanAfghanistan
YemenYemen
Jordan
Labor-intensive fruit and vegetables for food & nutritional security and more income
• A low-risk bridge from subsistence to better livelihoods
High-Value Crops More Income For Family Farming
Afghanistan Minister of Agriculture inspecting mint production in a greenhouse
Added Value Products in Durum Wheat:WNADIN IFAD Project
Pasta: Traditional Processing
1. Semolina is mixed with water and salt 2. Mixture is kneaded to a pasta dough3. Pasta dough is rolled on large wood tables to make dough. 4. Dough flattened in thin form and cut in long threads. 5. Pasta threads are hung on line for sun drying. 6. After drying, the pasta threads are stored in jars
‘Burghul’: Traditional processing
1. Boiled,2. Cooled, 3. Dried,4. Moistened,5. Peeled (sometimes the peeling process is omitted),6. Dried again,7. Cleaned by winnowing,8. Milled, and9. Graded to different sizes.
“Frike”: A Family Endeavor Stable food in WANA: made from early harvested green grains
of durum wheat Important source of income for rural families in marginal
areas Highly nutritious: high protein, fiber, vitamins (thiamin and
riboflavin) and minerals (Ca, Fe, Zn), low carbohydrate, rich in prebiotic properties, low glycemic index.
High value addition in established markets. High labor requirements: grains are harvested, parched,
roasted and dried---village industry. Involves the entire family.
Integrated Livestock/Rangelands/Crops Production Systems & Added Value Dairy Products
in Marginal Dry Areas
Development of Integrated Crop/Rangelands/Livestock Production Systems
Barley production Cactus & fodder shrubs
By-products - feed blocksOn-farm feed production
Flock management
Natural pastures & rangeland management
SuccessfulTechnologies
Community Approach & Community Action Plans
for sustainable use of natural resources
CommunityCommunity
Technologies
ScenariiScenarii
ModelingModeling
Presentation to decision makersPresentation to decision makers
Private sector Other communities
Public institutions
CommunityCommunity
Policy & Property rights
Agro-Ecological Characterization
Community Action Plan & Scenarios
Modeling
NGOs
Validation with community representatives
Presentation to decision makers
Private sector Other communities
Public institutions
Successful Technologies in Farmers Fields
Feed blocks using crop residues and agro-industrial by-products
Improved rams
Early weaning
Improved barley cultivars
Rotations of barley with forage legumes
Adding Value: Family Livestock Production
Value addition: Improved milking and processing
Steps in research: Assess local knowledge and identify
problems with researchable solution Identify available technologies or
develop suitable technology Integrate the proposed solution with
the local knowledge
Example: Yoghurt processing in SyriaProblem: High acidity and weak texture
Solution: Yogurt with high viscosity that does not
collapse during transport Market price was 5 Syrian Lira more per
kg than the yogurt produced by farmers
Enhancing Family Livelihoods: Goat Management & Feeding in Afghanistan & Pakistan
200+ women received goats through IFAD Project;
Dairy hygiene and processing improved skills and incomes of at least 600 women;
3x benefits with supplemental feeding of goats;
2x benefit by improved feeding during fattening;
3x increase in kid survival due to vaccinations;
Improved growth through crossbreeding of goats.
Value-Addition: Processing and Export of Cashmere, Wool and Mohair
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Increasing the income of sheep and goat producers from fiber production through improving fiber quality and market access
Enhancing processing and organizational skills Developing fair trade export markets for locally produced yarn, clothing
and fiber handicrafts
Market analysis & Linking Family Farming to Market: Goat production in Afghanistan
Findings: Informal & unorganised goat markets
with poor infrastructure and market intelligence system.
Goat producers can expect higher benefits when they plan sales considering live weight, market day, marketing place and sex.
Good market potential exists for cheese, qurut, yoghurt and cashmere.
Presentation of value added products for marketing is poor - need improvement in packing and grading.
Conclusions and Looking Ahead Supported by enabling policies and strong political commitment and through
targeted public and private investment in both research and development, family farms can be environmentally, socially and economically sustainable to enhance national economic national growth, food security and improve livelihoods of the resource-poor in rural areas.
Ensuring the environmental, social and economic sustainability of Family Farming can also be the key to rural transformation. It is useful to recall the example of Viet Nam, where strong pro-smallholder development activities (many of which were focused on family farms) transformed the rural landscape from a poor underdeveloped and food insecure country to a country that is now exporting food and classified as lower middle-income.
• According to IFAD (2014): “the potential economic and social returns to investing in family farms are enormous.” So let us all work towards this goal.
Thank you