Organic Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment PDF

Organic Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment Organic Agriculture and the multi- dimensional challenges of future food and farming systems E. Mazhawidza  Definition of Organic Agriculture IFOAM, 2008 Organic agriculture is a production system that...

Organic Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment Organic Agriculture and the multi- dimensional challenges of future food and farming systems E. Mazhawidza  Definition of Organic Agriculture IFOAM, 2008 Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved. www.ifoam.org  organic farming Organic farming is a system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic inputs (such as fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, feed additives etc) and to the maximum extent feasible rely upon crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, off-farm organic waste, mineral grade rock additives and biological system of nutrient mobilization and plant protection.  The four basic principles of organic agriculture Endorsed by IFOAM, September 2005 Healthy soil Agro-ecology Ecological and Healthy crops Diversity social justice Precaution Healthy livestock Recycling Fari Trade? Healthy people  organic farming Four principles 1. Principle of health Organic Agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible Healthy soils produce healthy crops that foster the health of animals and people. Health is the wholeness and integrity of living systems. The role of organic agriculture, whether in farming, processing, distribution, or consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organisms from the smallest in the soil to human beings.  organic farming 2. Principle of ecology Organic Agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them. This principle roots organic agriculture within living ecological systems. It states that production is to be based on ecological processes, and recycling Nourishment and well-being are achieved through the ecology of the specific production environment.  organic farming Principle of ecology Inputs should be reduced by reuse, recycling and efficient management of materials and energy in order to maintain and improve environmental quality and conserve resources Organic agriculture should attain ecological balance through the design of farming systems, establishment of habitats and maintenance of genetic and agricultural diversity.  organic farming 3. Principle of fairness Organic Agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities. This principle emphasizes that those involved in organic agriculture should conduct human relationships in a manner that ensures fairness at all levels and to all parties - farmers, workers, processors, distributors, traders and consumers  organic farming Principle of fairness It aims to produce a sufficient supply of good quality food and other products. Natural and environmental resources that are used for production and consumption should be managed in a way that is socially and ecologically just and should be held in trust for future generations Fairness requires systems of production, distribution and trade that are open and equitable and account for real environmental and social costs.  organic farming. Principle of care Organic Agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment. Organic agriculture is a living and dynamic system that responds to internal and external demands and conditions. This principle states that precaution and responsibility are the key concerns in management, development and technology choices in organic agriculture.  organic farming Basic Steps of Organic Farming Organic farming approach involves following five principles: 1. Conversion of land from conventional management to organic management 2. Management of the entire surrounding system to ensure biodiversity and sustainability of the system 3. Crop production with the use of alternative sources of nutrients such as crop rotation, residue management, organic manures and biological inputs. 4. Management of weeds and pests by better management practices, physical and cultural means and by biological control system 5. Maintenance of live stock in tandem with organic concept and make What is OA in developing countries? Certified OA: Non-certified/informal OA: Oriented towards Agro-ecological farming products systems Focused on few high- Conscious use of organic value crops and methods quality Follows the principles or ideas Agro-organic of IFOAM, methods used in - but Improving is not the soil fertility neccesarily varying degrees Using primarily local resources certified Gives access to the Using diversity in time and space market and better Promote natural regulation and recycling prices Decreasing the use of limited ressources Increasing market, globally Will remain a niche in the great number of  OA is a viable approach that can be suitable for smallholders. Particularly useful in difficult environments Reduces risk by encouraging localized input production Fostering soil and water conservation Encouraging the diversification of production (IFAD, 2005) OA can help raise the productivity and income of low-input agricultural systems ”There seems to be a strong indication that the proliferation of organic agriculture could be a viable strategy to improve livelihoods in Asia’s rural areas.” (ESCAP, 2002)  Organic Agriculture and Value Chains Making diverse use of the certified organic land in a Chinese village, - attracting new market players Transplanting strawberries in paddy fields for export of freeze dried berries to the US market Organic Agriculture is a ”good option for food security in Africa” "… organic agriculture can be more conducive to food security than most conventional systems, and.. it is more likely to be sustainable in the long term." (UNEP-UNCTAD, 2008).  Yields of organic and Agro-ecological agriculture in Africa Region Number of Number of Number of Number of Average countries projects farmers in hectares* change in represented analysed projects million ha crop yields** (millon) per cent Africa*** 24 114 2.0 +116 1,900,00 0 East 7 71 1,600,000 1.4 +128 Africa Tanzania 1 9 27,000 0.06 +67 Uganda 1 17 241,000 0.68 +54 * Organic and near-organic agriculture, million ha ** compared with beginning of projects, per cent *** all countries with data After Pretty et al., 2005 Soil degradation and food security Soil degradation Food security Erosion Yield reduction Compaction Efficiency of input use Crusting and reduced salinization Micro nutrient Nutrient mining deficiency Loss of soil organic matter Need for paradigm shift in land husbandry and Principles and practices for soil management R. Lal, Food Security journal, 2009 Solutions for soil and food quality improvements Mulching and recycling organic residues improve soil structure and quality Water conservation and water use efficiency Use of micronutrient rich Adoption of diversified fertilisers, nano-enhanced, cropping systems, indigenous Zeolites foods, Inoculating soils for Agro-forestry and mixed farming improved Biological Nitrogen Fixation No-till agriculture Microbial processes to On-farm experimentation and increase P-uptake adaptation Organic Agriculture and soil quality Results from different long term The organically treated soils were physically experiments: more stable, contained smaller amounts of soluble nutrients and were found to be biologically more active than conventional. (DOK trials, Mäder et al., 2002) Under organic farming the soil organic matter captures and retains more water in the crop root zone. Water capture in organic fields can also be 100% higher than in conventional fields during torrential rains. (Rodale Institute, 2008) OA is good for biodiversity and biodiversity is good for OA Organic farmers use more Agro-ecological methods: Mixed crop rotations, intercropping, … Grasslands and green manure, Habitats and non-farmed areas Non-chemical pest management Promoting functional diversity means enhancing and benefitting from Ecological service functions: Pollination Pest and disease prevention Biodiversity preservation, Soil quality Resilience In situ conservation of genes  Organic Agriculture promotes biodiversity Scienific evidence….. Meta analysis of comparative studies (Bengtsson et al., 2005): Species richness 30% higher in organic farms (n=32) Birds, Plants Predatory insects, carabidae Species abundance 50% higher in organic farms (n=117) Weeds, Soil organisms (earthworms) Predatory insects, carabidae Not potential pest species! Same picture in review Hole et al., 2005 (n=76) Causes for higher diversity and abundance under organic farming: Non use of pesticides & fertiliser Friendly treatment of hedgerows and non-crop habitats on organic farms Preservation of mixed farming and diversified land use Agro-ecological methods could also be used in non-organic  Organic Agriculture contributes to eco-functional intensification Potentials of OA: Competitive productivity in low input Improved farm economy (less costly inputs and premium prices in certified OA) Improved food security (availability, access, stability, utilization) Improved soil health (fertility, stability, water-holding capacity) Improved biodiversity and landscape preservation Reduced risk of pesticide toxication and residues in food Reduced nutrient lossess from intensive systems Climate change adaptation and mitigation Innovation, adaptation of agro-ecological methods is needed to obtain the full potential of Needs for Research and Innovation in Organic Agriculture Agroecology & Value Environment Social Chains & Improved Food & Fibre Production Capital Economic Improved Improved Improved Improve s integrated Soil biodiversit d Improve Crop / manage- y for Pest Health d Livestoc ment manage- & Market k ment Empow- linkages manage- erment and in rural chains ment commun i-ties Eco-functional intensification is knowledge intensive The multi-dimensional challenges of OA Eco-functional intensification is knowledge intensive Develoment of agro-ecological methods Adoption of agro-ecological methods Value chain development for various markets Organic agriculture’s place in development strategies Evidence for decision makers Global collaboration in research and innovation