Issues in the Management of Agricultural Resources
In September, the Center celebrated its 30th Anniversary with an international seminar
In more marginal areas, such as tropical uplands, the impact of intensive agriculture has been almost catastrophic. Soil erosion, mudslides and environmental deterioration are common in tropical uplands all over the world.
However, loss of productivity from intensive agriculture is not inevitable. We are beginning now to develop systems of agriculture which are sustainable. By sustainable agriculture, we mean a system of agriculture that maintains the resource base at a high level of productivity indefinitely into the future. This means the skilful management of agricultural resources, with monitoring so we have early warning when resources begin to deteriorate.
Global Goals and Resource Capacity
In September, FFTC celebrated its 30th Anniversary with an international seminar on "Issues in the Management of Agricultural Resources". Papers presented at the Seminar focused on three main themes: global goals in the management of agricultural resources; the capacity and management of global resources; and future activities.
One of the most important global goals in agriculture is food security. This includes more than just supply and demand. It must also take into account food availability and safety, poverty alleviation and food affordability, global food trading and quality standards, and the environmental threshold and productive capacity.
The second theme, global resource capacity, included discussions on planning and decision making tools, including the geographical approach (using remote sensing and other sources of data) and the statistical approach.
The third theme, future activities and challenges, discussed technology which could directly or indirectly benefit Asian smallholders by improving the ways in which agricultural resources are used and managed. The value of a multi-disciplinary approach to technology innovation was emphasized.
Conclusion
The seminar provided the Center with valuable concepts and topics for its future work plans. One was the emphasis on evaluating the risks and benefits of new technology such as genetically modified crops, particularly from the viewpoint of the small-scale farmers of Asia.
Another was the necessity to monitor the status of important agricultural resources such as water, soil and biodiversity. Continuous monitoring of the quantity and quality of agricultural resources is the only way in which to detect harmful trends, so that they can be corrected before they do too much damage. New satellite and computer technology, while not replacing field data, can provide continuous monitoring at a relatively low cost.
An important information need of Asian farmers is what crops and varieties they should plant. Crop selection should be based on multiple factors, including prospective supply and demand, both domestic and international. Crop and varie-tal selection is also a vital part of improved cropping systems, in which the management of plant nutrients and water integrates the needs, not of a single crop, but of multiple successive crops.
Good nutrient management is a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. This includes the management of both macronutrients and micronutrients, and the use of recycled farm wastes and other organic fertilizers. Smallholders need reliable and cost effective methods, both to identify the nutrient status of crops, and to meet nutrient requirements in a sustainable way.
Sustainable agriculture must not only protect the environment and consider the long-term impact of agriculture on the resource base. It must also be profitable for farmers, and sustain rural communities. Smallholders should be able to use sustainable farming methods at an appropriate cost. Policy changes may sometimes be as decisive as improved technology in improving the management of resources. Incentives to farmers to practice sustainable farming methods include indirect subsidies and other kinds of government support.
Even with sustainable agriculture, the carrying capacity of the earth is finite. To achieve sustainability, significant improvements in crop and livestock production must come from improved soil fertility management, and the use of cropping systems designed to reduce soil erosion and maintain soil productivity. If these improvements are made, it seems likely that current levels of production are sustainable, although current levels of growth may not be. If they are not, we are likely to see the deterioration of the world's agricultural resources continue, and a fall in the global food supply.
Recommendations from the Seminar
During the Final Discussion at the end of the seminar, three important recommendations were made concerning future FFTC programs.
1. In most countries, there is little effort to monitor the quality of agricultural and natural resources in the ASPAC region. FFTC is requested to take the leadership in enhancing awareness of this issue.
2. Farmers' participation is considered a key factor in improving the management of agricultural resources. More ecologically-based cropping systems are needed. FFTC is already playing a commendable role, and can introduce more activities to enhance this.
3. FFTC is requested to play a greater role in issues of sustainability. Increasing the awareness of farmers and the public is of the utmost importance. Elaborating the principles and guidelines for the sustainable management of agricultural resources is recommended.
Index of Images
Figure 1 Eroded Ditch in Upland Field.
Figure 2 Sustainable Use of Upland Field in Korea- Ginseng, a High-Value Perennial Crop. the Plants Are Shaded by Simple Low-Cost Structures.
Figure 3 Close-up of Korean Ginseng Plant
