Eco-Efficient Agriculture & Central America

Eco-Efficient Agriculture & Central America - Presentation Transcript

Eco-Efficient Agriculture & Central America The field lab where you really want to be? A. Schmidt et al. 20/05/2009 Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 1

Content  The challenges  The demand from the region  Current activities (highlights)  Some additional issues  Conclusions Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 2

The challenges  Poorest region of the hemisphere  Continuing decrease of agriculture production vs. population growth  High degree of vulnerability to inevitably upcoming changes  Resource degradation Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 3

Degradation Central America is a hot spot of land degradation, affects 75% of agricultural land Very Severe Severe Source: UNEP-ISRIC, 1990 Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor

The challenges (2)  Poorest region of the hemisphere  Continuing decrease of agriculture production vs. population growth  High degree of vulnerability to inevitably upcoming changes  Resource degradation  Deforestation /agriculture frontier  Water deficit (human/production)  Energy crisis Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 5

The challenges (3)  Instability of the coffee sector  Increased inequity  Migration / brain drain  Weak human resources and national systems (ASTI-IFPRI/IICA 2008) Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 6

The “good” news  Developing domestic markets  Advances in CA integration (CA4)  Free Trade Agreements: CAFTA, EU  Growing interest of food processing industry to produce near sourcing base  “The horticulture revolution”  Changing consumer preferences / demands  … Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 7

Demand from the region  Improved water use & management  Soil fertility management  Value chain development and market connection  Seed supply systems  Capacity building (research and technology transfer) Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 8

Content  The challenges  The demand from the region  Current activities (highlights)  Shortfalls and opportunities  Conclusions Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 9

Improved water use & management  CFC-FLAR water harvesting project Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 10

When there is water, there is no light and when there is light, there is no water Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor

RADIACIÓN SOLAR EN NICARAGUA 540 520 500 Cal / Cm2 / Día 480 460 440 420 400 380 360 340 320 300 Agosto Noviembre Enero Octubre Junio Julio Diciembre Septiembre Abril Marzo Mayo Febrero Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor

Improved water use & management Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 13

Soil fertility management in mixed systems Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 14

Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 15

Soil fertility management in mixed systems  Canavalia brasiliensis is drought resistant,  increases milk yield in the dry season,  fixes up to 70 kg N/ha,  reduces mineral fertilizer input  Trade offs between forage use and soil improvement – danger of N depletion? Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 16

Soil fertility management Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 17

M a S S o n - f a r m v a lid a t io n r e s u lt s Effect of NuMaSS recommendations on maize production profitability at two locations in Honduras Candelaria , Lempira Variables Location 1 (SV) Location 2 (ITC) NuMaS Farmer NuMaSS Farmer S Fertilizer (kg/ha) 90 300 141 300 Yield (kg/ha) 2.7 1.23 3.0 1.7 511 85 575 191 Net gain (US$/ha) Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor

Agroforestry System Quezungual Planting of crops into mulch under trees Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 19

Agroforestry System Quezungual Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 20

Agroforestry System Quezungual Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 21

Agroforestry System Quezungual  Results:  Improved food security  No fuel wood shortages  Increased water availability on landscape level  Limited production potential  How to improve productivity? Diversification?  Danger of livestock introduction Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 22

Soil fertility / water management & markets  RED SICTA Diversification project:  Diversification of traditional maize bean systems based on market information  Crop specific fertilizer and water management  Simple protection measures  Strong training component Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 23

Value chains / markets  Markets are the driving forces for production and decisions on the use of available resources  Huge opportunities for income generation  Market information to avoid waste of resources  Markets may even push for ecoeff.ag. Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 25

Decision support for value chains  PPP project Café Direct (Fair Trade)  Project Partners: GTZ, CATIE, farmer organizations  Nicaragua, Mexico, Peru  Impact of climate change on a fair trade value chain  Where will coffee cultivation still be possible in 2050?  What are the environmental variables that drive the suitability of an area to grow coffee? Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 26

Seed Supply Systems Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor

Seed Supply System  Decentralized seed production  Biofortified crops  32 partners in CA  Strong training component Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 31

Seed Supply System EMPRASEFOR Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 32

Capacity building  Eco-efficient agriculture is based on information and knowledge  Knowledge transfer is needed  New models necessary?  Regional capacity building platform ?  IICA, CATIE, EMBRAPA, CG, Zamorano …  Knowledge management of former programs/projects Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 33

Other issues  Management is key to the concept of eco-efficiency – we have to reengage Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 34

Summary of results obtained by FLAR in Nicaragua 2004 11 9.9 10 9 Yield t/ha 8 7 7 6 5.5 5 4.4 4 Average Yield with Farmer yield Best national yield conventional with semi- management management improved 2004 2001-2003 management 2004 Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor

Other issues  Management is key to the concept of eco-efficiency – we have to reengage  In order to confront the challenges in the region, alliances are necessary to access multiple capacities  CIAT should take advantage of his unique infrastructure and legal status in the region and host “The CG Consortium” in CA Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 36

Conclusions  The region is characterized by a number of serious challenges but provides opportunities to work on eco-efficient agriculture technologies and management systems for the poor  “We do already eco-efficient agriculture”  But capacity upgrades / reengagement in some areas are necessary (e.g. water use, knowledge transfer, management)  Regional capacity building platform  CG Consortium Hub Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 37

Conclusions (2)  Central America has all the conditions to be used as a field lab for research on eco-efficient agriculture and it is an important impact zone for the new strategic directions of CIAT  We have to be involved on the ground with others, building and leading new networks and alliances; this is not possible by remote control Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 38

Welcome to Central America “ … The place to be!” Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 39

Welcome to Central America “ … is STILL the place to be!” Thank you Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the poor 40