Australia has an important role to play in improving food security in the region through exporting agricultural knowledge and expertise, rather than bulk commodities. This involves smarter food system planning, research and development, extension and education to develop more sustainable and resilient food production systems. Key challenges include increasing water and energy productivity, adapting to climate change, developing alternative energy sources, and ensuring food production does not compromise other important landscape values like biodiversity and soil health.
The document discusses key challenges related to soil preservation and sustainable management. It notes that soil is a non-renewable resource under increasing pressure from population growth and competing land uses. Approximately one third of global land is currently degraded. Sustainable soil management is imperative for reversing degradation trends and ensuring future global food security given limited opportunities for agricultural expansion. The document outlines recommendations for promoting sustainable soil practices including technologies, policies, education, and investment to increase production while using less land and inputs.
Soil degradation is a major threat to global food security and sustainable development. An estimated 33% of the world's soil is currently degraded due to unsustainable land management practices and climate change impacts. With the global population projected to reach over 9 billion by 2050, food demand is expected to increase 60% which will further stress soil resources. International programs are working to promote sustainable soil management, restore degraded lands, and build resilience to climate change in vulnerable regions. Key actions needed include use of sustainable technologies, soil protection projects, regulations on contaminants, and education on maintaining soil health.
26 .Agriculture agro ecology and biodiversity A Presentation By Mr Allah Dad...Mr.Allah Dad Khan
- Agro-ecology uses ecological concepts to design farming systems that are productive, increase food security, and are socially and economically sustainable. It utilizes biodiversity, biological pest management, and nutrient cycling.
- A case study from Pakistan describes how agro-ecology transformed a remote valley, improving food security, livelihoods, the environment, and social relations through diversified organic farming and reforestation.
- Evidence shows that agro-ecology improves climate resilience by building soil health, water retention, and biodiversity while reducing dependence on external inputs vulnerable to climate impacts.
Agriculture agro ecology and biodiversity By Allah Dad Khan Mr.Allah Dad Khan
- Agro-ecology is an approach to agriculture that uses ecological principles to increase food production while protecting the environment. It utilizes practices like integrated pest management, nutrient cycling, and agroforestry.
- A case study from Pakistan showed how agro-ecology transformed a remote valley, improving food security, livelihoods, and the environment through organic farming techniques and reforestation.
- Evidence indicates that agro-ecology improves climate resilience by increasing biodiversity and reducing dependence on external inputs, helping farmers adapt to impacts like droughts and floods.
This presentation focuses on watershed management which also takes climate change and the landscape approach into consideration. It shows measurements, drainage treatment, adaptive sustainable agriculture and much more.
The Global Soil Partnership was launched in 2011 by FAO to improve global governance of soil resources and ensure healthy productive soils. Its vision is to guarantee soils support food security and ecosystem services amid increasing human demands. Key challenges include soil degradation and low awareness/investment. The partnership's pillars of action center on sustainable management, investment, research, data sharing, and guidelines. Regional partnerships in Asia, MENA, and Latin America are establishing networks and priorities. The partnership aims to place soils at the forefront of sustainable development discussions through events like the World Soil Day and Global Soil Week.
This document provides summaries of three FAO success stories implementing climate-smart agriculture in different regions. In Tanzania, an agroforestry system covering 120,000 hectares on Mount Kilimanjaro's slopes was preserved through introducing coffee and vanilla cash crops and trout aquaculture to increase incomes while maintaining the ecological integrity of the system. In China, a project in Qinghai province aims to restore degraded grasslands through sustainable grazing management to sequester carbon, increase productivity, and improve livelihoods for herding communities.
The document discusses key challenges related to soil preservation and sustainable management. It notes that soil is a non-renewable resource under increasing pressure from population growth and competing land uses. Approximately one third of global land is currently degraded. Sustainable soil management is imperative for reversing degradation trends and ensuring future global food security given limited opportunities for agricultural expansion. The document outlines recommendations for promoting sustainable soil practices including technologies, policies, education, and investment to increase production while using less land and inputs.
Soil degradation is a major threat to global food security and sustainable development. An estimated 33% of the world's soil is currently degraded due to unsustainable land management practices and climate change impacts. With the global population projected to reach over 9 billion by 2050, food demand is expected to increase 60% which will further stress soil resources. International programs are working to promote sustainable soil management, restore degraded lands, and build resilience to climate change in vulnerable regions. Key actions needed include use of sustainable technologies, soil protection projects, regulations on contaminants, and education on maintaining soil health.
26 .Agriculture agro ecology and biodiversity A Presentation By Mr Allah Dad...Mr.Allah Dad Khan
- Agro-ecology uses ecological concepts to design farming systems that are productive, increase food security, and are socially and economically sustainable. It utilizes biodiversity, biological pest management, and nutrient cycling.
- A case study from Pakistan describes how agro-ecology transformed a remote valley, improving food security, livelihoods, the environment, and social relations through diversified organic farming and reforestation.
- Evidence shows that agro-ecology improves climate resilience by building soil health, water retention, and biodiversity while reducing dependence on external inputs vulnerable to climate impacts.
Agriculture agro ecology and biodiversity By Allah Dad Khan Mr.Allah Dad Khan
- Agro-ecology is an approach to agriculture that uses ecological principles to increase food production while protecting the environment. It utilizes practices like integrated pest management, nutrient cycling, and agroforestry.
- A case study from Pakistan showed how agro-ecology transformed a remote valley, improving food security, livelihoods, and the environment through organic farming techniques and reforestation.
- Evidence indicates that agro-ecology improves climate resilience by increasing biodiversity and reducing dependence on external inputs, helping farmers adapt to impacts like droughts and floods.
This presentation focuses on watershed management which also takes climate change and the landscape approach into consideration. It shows measurements, drainage treatment, adaptive sustainable agriculture and much more.
The Global Soil Partnership was launched in 2011 by FAO to improve global governance of soil resources and ensure healthy productive soils. Its vision is to guarantee soils support food security and ecosystem services amid increasing human demands. Key challenges include soil degradation and low awareness/investment. The partnership's pillars of action center on sustainable management, investment, research, data sharing, and guidelines. Regional partnerships in Asia, MENA, and Latin America are establishing networks and priorities. The partnership aims to place soils at the forefront of sustainable development discussions through events like the World Soil Day and Global Soil Week.
This document provides summaries of three FAO success stories implementing climate-smart agriculture in different regions. In Tanzania, an agroforestry system covering 120,000 hectares on Mount Kilimanjaro's slopes was preserved through introducing coffee and vanilla cash crops and trout aquaculture to increase incomes while maintaining the ecological integrity of the system. In China, a project in Qinghai province aims to restore degraded grasslands through sustainable grazing management to sequester carbon, increase productivity, and improve livelihoods for herding communities.
Rethinking Agriculture in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
How to sustainably meet food needs, enhance ecosystem services and cope with climate change.
Robyn Johnston - International Water Management Institute
Uganda afid _case in intergated water resources management Rosemirta Birungi
The document summarizes an intervention by the Agency For Inter-regional Development (AFID) to strengthen adaptive capacities for drought-induced feed stress in Nakasongola district, Uganda. The project trained 101 farmers, mostly women, in hay making techniques to cope with dry season feed shortages. It provided hay making equipment, constructed eight hay storage facilities, and distributed pasture seeds. Training was also provided in pasture identification and management. The intervention helped farmers better cope with drought by adopting hay as animal feed when pastures are scarce. However, more work is needed to promote less labor-intensive hay making and to integrate water resource management practices to ensure both feed and water availability.
This document provides an overview of watershed management and related topics discussed in a horticulture course. It discusses:
1. Watershed management objectives like increasing food production, improving livelihoods, and protecting the environment.
2. Approaches to watershed development projects in India like the integrated approach, which aims to improve standards of living through development of land, water and plant resources, and the consortium approach emphasizing collective action.
3. Key components of watershed management including soil and water conservation, water harvesting, crop management, and alternate land use systems.
Sustainable Intensification: great idea, what’s stopping it? Francois Stepman
This document discusses sustainable intensification in agriculture. It defines sustainable intensification as simultaneously improving agricultural productivity and environmental management on existing farmland. While intended to address global food security, sustainable intensification is particularly relevant in the EU where agriculture is already intensive and further expansion could damage ecosystems. However, defining and measuring sustainability remains challenging. There is also wide variability in farm environmental performance, suggesting potential for most farms to improve while maintaining productivity. Identifying unsustainable systems and environmental limits at local scales could help advance debates around sustainable intensification.
Reforestation and Organic Farming is improving Soil Fertility and Increasing ...Z3P
Niger has faced environmental challenges including desertification caused by deforestation and unsustainable farming practices. Through policies promoting Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) initiatives, Niger has made progress in reforestation. Farmers conserve trees on agricultural land, improving soil fertility, increasing crop yields and incomes. As a result of FMNR, Niger has seen over 7.4 million new tree-covered acres since 1980, improving livelihoods. Key to Niger's success has been community support through access to information and tools, as well as diversified farming systems and improved access to markets.
Research Outputs and Approaches to Enhance Food Security and Improve Livelih...ICARDA
The document summarizes research outputs and approaches from the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) to enhance food security and improve livelihoods. It discusses constraints like drought, desertification, and climate change leading to food insecurity. ICARDA's strategic plan focuses on risk management, integrated water and land management, and diversification to improve nutrition and incomes. Technologies developed include improved crop varieties tolerant to abiotic stresses and diseases, as well as seed production approaches to cope with drought.
Innovation transforms livelihoods of pastoralists in EthiopiaICRISAT
Until the 1970s, traditional pastoralism used to be a successful livelihood strategy in drought-prone East African lowlands, where the rainfall regime is low and unreliable, and where mobility was essential for ensuring access to critical water and feed resources. It also provided space for the rangeland to regenerate. However, the traditional livelihood strategy has been increasingly constrained.
This document summarizes key socioeconomic trends and the impacts of climate change on health and infrastructure in the Lower Mekong Basin region. It finds that:
1) Rural livelihoods depend heavily on ecosystem services and smallholder agriculture, though poverty is decreasing.
2) Climate change is expected to significantly impact health through increased heat stress, water-borne diseases, and impacts on infrastructure like damage from flooding.
3) Case studies of provinces find high vulnerability in health from things like lack of access to care and in infrastructure from damage. Adaptation strategies are proposed that integrate across sectors.
The Relief Society of Tigray (REST) is an Ethiopian non-governmental organization established in 1978 to serve the people of Tigray. REST implements relief, rehabilitation, and development programs focused on sustainable natural resource management, water security, livelihood development, health, education, and women's empowerment. REST works through a participatory watershed management approach, establishing watershed committees and implementing initiatives like soil and water conservation, irrigation infrastructure, and livelihood packages. Key activities include treating upper watersheds, developing water sources, and sequentially linking natural resource rehabilitation to household asset building and sustainable development in Tigray.
Beginning in 2001, the Bionic Group was leading the development of the innovative Catalytic Microwave Depolymerization Process (Bionic µfuel) which converts carbonaceous feedstock from biomass, solid waste streams and scrap tires into liquid fuels and blendstocks (µoil) and renders a high quality char product (µchar) as a second product. In the case of biomass feedstock the bionic µchar is a biochar applicable to many uses.
Bionic µsoil is an upgraded derivative which first uses selected microorganisms to activate the sterilized µchar and subsequently mixes it into a unique organic fertilizer production process using waste biomass and animal manure as its raw products which get treated by a special mix of healthy microbes. The result is an absolutely innovative organic fertilizer and soil enhancer representing a high tech descendant of the ancient Terra Preta found in the Amazon Basin by archaeologists.
This document discusses opportunities for improving Victoria's food and farming system in the face of climate change and other challenges. It notes that Victoria's food and farming sector is a major industry but faces issues like water scarcity. Opportunities include new alliances across sectors, integrated farming of food and energy, and planning approaches that build resilience. Peri-urban areas will be impacted and may see a new paradigm integrating food production, private space, and public goals around resources and amenities.
This document discusses the challenges facing agriculture and natural resource management in Australia. It notes that food, water, land and energy resources are interconnected and climate change intensifies these interactions. It argues that conventional approaches are risky and that smarter planning, research, extension and education are urgently needed to increase sustainable production. These issues require solutions that cut across sectors and scales, and a rethinking of the agricultural innovation system is needed to better address these profound challenges.
Science & Policy For Managing Australian Landscapes Nceas Santa Barbara Sept 07Charles Darwin University
An overview of Australian developments in science and policy for environmental management. Presented to the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at UC Santa Barbara, September 2007.
Rethinking Agriculture in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
How to sustainably meet food needs, enhance ecosystem services and cope with climate change.
Robyn Johnston - International Water Management Institute
Uganda afid _case in intergated water resources management Rosemirta Birungi
The document summarizes an intervention by the Agency For Inter-regional Development (AFID) to strengthen adaptive capacities for drought-induced feed stress in Nakasongola district, Uganda. The project trained 101 farmers, mostly women, in hay making techniques to cope with dry season feed shortages. It provided hay making equipment, constructed eight hay storage facilities, and distributed pasture seeds. Training was also provided in pasture identification and management. The intervention helped farmers better cope with drought by adopting hay as animal feed when pastures are scarce. However, more work is needed to promote less labor-intensive hay making and to integrate water resource management practices to ensure both feed and water availability.
This document provides an overview of watershed management and related topics discussed in a horticulture course. It discusses:
1. Watershed management objectives like increasing food production, improving livelihoods, and protecting the environment.
2. Approaches to watershed development projects in India like the integrated approach, which aims to improve standards of living through development of land, water and plant resources, and the consortium approach emphasizing collective action.
3. Key components of watershed management including soil and water conservation, water harvesting, crop management, and alternate land use systems.
Sustainable Intensification: great idea, what’s stopping it? Francois Stepman
This document discusses sustainable intensification in agriculture. It defines sustainable intensification as simultaneously improving agricultural productivity and environmental management on existing farmland. While intended to address global food security, sustainable intensification is particularly relevant in the EU where agriculture is already intensive and further expansion could damage ecosystems. However, defining and measuring sustainability remains challenging. There is also wide variability in farm environmental performance, suggesting potential for most farms to improve while maintaining productivity. Identifying unsustainable systems and environmental limits at local scales could help advance debates around sustainable intensification.
Reforestation and Organic Farming is improving Soil Fertility and Increasing ...Z3P
Niger has faced environmental challenges including desertification caused by deforestation and unsustainable farming practices. Through policies promoting Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) initiatives, Niger has made progress in reforestation. Farmers conserve trees on agricultural land, improving soil fertility, increasing crop yields and incomes. As a result of FMNR, Niger has seen over 7.4 million new tree-covered acres since 1980, improving livelihoods. Key to Niger's success has been community support through access to information and tools, as well as diversified farming systems and improved access to markets.
Research Outputs and Approaches to Enhance Food Security and Improve Livelih...ICARDA
The document summarizes research outputs and approaches from the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) to enhance food security and improve livelihoods. It discusses constraints like drought, desertification, and climate change leading to food insecurity. ICARDA's strategic plan focuses on risk management, integrated water and land management, and diversification to improve nutrition and incomes. Technologies developed include improved crop varieties tolerant to abiotic stresses and diseases, as well as seed production approaches to cope with drought.
Innovation transforms livelihoods of pastoralists in EthiopiaICRISAT
Until the 1970s, traditional pastoralism used to be a successful livelihood strategy in drought-prone East African lowlands, where the rainfall regime is low and unreliable, and where mobility was essential for ensuring access to critical water and feed resources. It also provided space for the rangeland to regenerate. However, the traditional livelihood strategy has been increasingly constrained.
This document summarizes key socioeconomic trends and the impacts of climate change on health and infrastructure in the Lower Mekong Basin region. It finds that:
1) Rural livelihoods depend heavily on ecosystem services and smallholder agriculture, though poverty is decreasing.
2) Climate change is expected to significantly impact health through increased heat stress, water-borne diseases, and impacts on infrastructure like damage from flooding.
3) Case studies of provinces find high vulnerability in health from things like lack of access to care and in infrastructure from damage. Adaptation strategies are proposed that integrate across sectors.
The Relief Society of Tigray (REST) is an Ethiopian non-governmental organization established in 1978 to serve the people of Tigray. REST implements relief, rehabilitation, and development programs focused on sustainable natural resource management, water security, livelihood development, health, education, and women's empowerment. REST works through a participatory watershed management approach, establishing watershed committees and implementing initiatives like soil and water conservation, irrigation infrastructure, and livelihood packages. Key activities include treating upper watersheds, developing water sources, and sequentially linking natural resource rehabilitation to household asset building and sustainable development in Tigray.
Beginning in 2001, the Bionic Group was leading the development of the innovative Catalytic Microwave Depolymerization Process (Bionic µfuel) which converts carbonaceous feedstock from biomass, solid waste streams and scrap tires into liquid fuels and blendstocks (µoil) and renders a high quality char product (µchar) as a second product. In the case of biomass feedstock the bionic µchar is a biochar applicable to many uses.
Bionic µsoil is an upgraded derivative which first uses selected microorganisms to activate the sterilized µchar and subsequently mixes it into a unique organic fertilizer production process using waste biomass and animal manure as its raw products which get treated by a special mix of healthy microbes. The result is an absolutely innovative organic fertilizer and soil enhancer representing a high tech descendant of the ancient Terra Preta found in the Amazon Basin by archaeologists.
This document discusses opportunities for improving Victoria's food and farming system in the face of climate change and other challenges. It notes that Victoria's food and farming sector is a major industry but faces issues like water scarcity. Opportunities include new alliances across sectors, integrated farming of food and energy, and planning approaches that build resilience. Peri-urban areas will be impacted and may see a new paradigm integrating food production, private space, and public goals around resources and amenities.
This document discusses the challenges facing agriculture and natural resource management in Australia. It notes that food, water, land and energy resources are interconnected and climate change intensifies these interactions. It argues that conventional approaches are risky and that smarter planning, research, extension and education are urgently needed to increase sustainable production. These issues require solutions that cut across sectors and scales, and a rethinking of the agricultural innovation system is needed to better address these profound challenges.
Science & Policy For Managing Australian Landscapes Nceas Santa Barbara Sept 07Charles Darwin University
An overview of Australian developments in science and policy for environmental management. Presented to the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at UC Santa Barbara, September 2007.
A lecture to first year students at the ANU and the National University of Singapore introducing key sustainability concepts with reference to Australia.
Characteristics Of Successful Catchment Management Organisations, Mackay Feb07Charles Darwin University
This document discusses ingredients for success for Catchment Management Organisations (CMOs). It outlines characteristics of leading CMOs, including comprehensive understanding of their clients, strong relationships built on trust, clear positioning and roles, and good governance. Top CMOs have knowledge of the catchment and factors affecting land management adoption. They work closely with communities and industries to understand needs and find mutually beneficial solutions. Strong governance with clear roles and accountability is important when managing public funds.
This document discusses emerging carbon economies and savanna fire abatement projects in northern Australia. It describes the landscape and cultural heritage of northern Australia and significant development pressures. It highlights several existing projects that aim to shift fire regimes at large scales, reintroduce traditional burning practices, and accurately measure greenhouse gas emissions from savanna fires. These projects establish partnerships between Indigenous groups, government organizations, and private funders. They have helped reduce emissions and shift the timing of fires compared to baseline periods. The document advocates for policies and an industry structure that promotes Indigenous involvement and benefits from carbon projects on their lands.
This document outlines strategies for effectively funding and managing applied research and development (R&D). It discusses the importance of understanding the knowledge needs, having clear objectives, using various procurement pathways, collaborating with partners, focusing on governance, communication, knowledge adoption, legacy, and evaluation. Applied R&D investment requires understanding both the scientific inquiry process and ensuring appropriate management, adoption efforts, and legacy planning are incorporated from the start.
How to restore wildlife habitats on a large scale in rural landscapes against a background of climate change. The Norman Wettenhall Foundation Annual Public Lecture, Museum Melbourne, November 2008.
Boundary organizations like Land & Water Australia are inherently vulnerable due to tensions at the science-policy interface. LWA aimed to provide leadership in sustainable natural resource management through knowledge generation and informing debate. However, it struggled with the complex, long-term challenges of NRM issues that span disciplines and sectors. Lessons from LWA's demise include the need for boundary organizations to be agile, far-sighted brokers that can navigate the politics of science and policy.
The findings of the "Paddock to Plate" project commissioned by the Australian Conservation Foundation looking at the future of the Victorian food system.
What sorts of knowledge and learning systems do we need to best deal with the climate change challenge? Presented to ACT KM national conference, Canberra 2008.
- Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) could become involved in carbon markets through various options like doing nothing, acting as a quality assurer, facilitator, or direct market player.
- Carbon trading and biosequestration schemes offer opportunities for CMAs to generate revenue and promote land management goals, but also carry risks from financial exposure and technical challenges.
- As the national carbon market develops, CMAs should focus on influencing policy design, improving carbon accounting rigor, and potentially partnering to market "charismatic" environmental plantings in the voluntary market.
This document outlines a policy discussion on managing Australian soils. It suggests rebuilding commitment to soil management by quantifying the economic costs of degradation and benefits of investment. It also recommends rebuilding knowledge by improving long-term monitoring and mapping, and rebuilding capacity through education programs. Catchment management organizations are identified as important targets to emphasize soil management in on-ground works. Specific next steps proposed are further developing the economic analysis, decision tools, and exemplar soil projects.
Public lecture to the Australian Academy of Science in the wonderful Shine Dome in Canberra on 4 November 2009. A big picture look at the policy and science integration challenges across water, energy, carbon, food and health against a background of climate chaos and a looming oil crunch.
Nike is analyzed in this case study. It provides an overview of Nike's history, brands, vision, mission, financial performance, and SWOT analysis. The external environment facing Nike is also examined, including competitors, opportunities, and threats in the athletic footwear and apparel industry. Various strategic analysis tools are applied to Nike, such as BCG matrix, IE matrix, and comparative financial statements. Potential strategies for Nike going forward are discussed.
This document summarizes a seminar on climate-smart rural development approaches between China and IFAD. It discusses the impacts of climate change on poverty, including increased risks from drought, flooding, and reduced agricultural productivity. It then describes China's Loess Plateau watershed management project as a case study. The project used participatory watershed planning, incentives for farmers, and policies to ban overgrazing and planting on steep slopes. It achieved improved vegetation cover, reduced soil erosion, and increased incomes. Key lessons included the need for participatory and coordinated approaches across sectors and administrative levels with long-term planning, investment mechanisms, and monitoring and evaluation.
Climate change is causing more extreme weather events like heavy rainfall, droughts, floods and hurricanes. It is also causing changes in temperature, humidity, wind and seasonal patterns. Climate change has both natural causes like changes in solar activity and volcanoes, as well as man-made causes from pollution, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions. The impacts of climate change include effects on geology, natural resources, humans, and aquatic life. The poor, coastal and river communities, elderly, women and children are most vulnerable. Mitigation strategies include reducing pollution and greenhouse gases while adaptation requires building infrastructure and institutions, conserving resources, and preparing communities for extreme weather.
Climate change poses challenges to global food security. By 2050, food production must increase 60% to meet demand from a growing population. Adapting agriculture to climate change through climate-smart practices can help achieve food security and sustainable development goals. This involves increasing productivity, adapting to climate impacts, and reducing emissions. At the local level, action plans are needed to assess climate change impacts on soils, water resources, and crops, and implement contingency plans, restoration strategies, and diversified livelihoods to build resilience for small farmers.
Eco enterprises opportunity for greening economy in key sectorsJared Omondi Buoga
A presentation on opportunities for greening the economy in Key Sectors. Presented during the 5th National Youth Conference on Climate change at Mully Children's Home.
Climate change, water scarcity, rising energy costs, and increasing global food demand are converging threats that must be addressed together through integrated solutions. Agricultural systems need to use resources like climate, water, energy, and nutrients more efficiently while transitioning to renewable energy and sustainable practices. Long-term food security in Timor-Leste requires building agricultural knowledge and capacity, strengthening legal frameworks, conducting environmental research, and considering these interconnected issues now to determine future success.
This document discusses finding sustainable sources of energy and food for humanity. It notes that fossil fuels are finite and have environmental impacts. Renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydro are introduced as more sustainable alternatives. Sustainable agriculture techniques that conserve soil and water are also described. Achieving global food security requires addressing issues like population growth, land degradation, and equitable food distribution. Creating a sustainable society involves meeting present needs without compromising the future through efficient energy and resource use, reducing pollution, and stabilizing population growth.
The document discusses the need for a global green movement to address climate change and environmental degradation. It outlines several issues including rising population, greenhouse gas emissions, natural disasters, loss of ecosystems and biodiversity. Transitioning to renewable energy and green technology is proposed, along with investing in sustainable development, green jobs, education and international cooperation. The goal is a shift to a low-carbon, resource-efficient green economy that generates growth while protecting the environment and helping the poor.
Agro-ecological approach conservation agriculture and SRI - Prof. Amir KassamSri Lmb
This document summarizes a regional workshop on agroecological approaches to crop and land management, specifically conservation agriculture and the system of rice intensification. It discusses how modern industrial agriculture has disrupted ecosystem functions through intensive tillage and inputs, leading to soil degradation. As alternatives, it promotes conservation agriculture and the system of rice intensification, which are based on minimizing soil disturbance, maintaining soil cover, and diversifying crops. These agroecological principles provide a foundation for sustainable intensification that improves yields while preserving resources and ecosystem services.
This document summarizes a presentation given by Gwyn Williams on the threats to biodiversity from human activities and climate change. Some key points include:
- Species abundance in the UK has declined significantly since 1970 according to conservation indices.
- Protected areas have helped conserve some species but large-scale species range shifts are projected due to climate change.
- A rapid transition to a low-carbon economy is needed to address climate change but must be achieved in a way that is sustainable and does not further deplete nature.
- The presentation examines options for tidal energy generation in the Severn Estuary and concludes that more research is needed to understand potential ecological impacts before large-scale development.
Ensuring climate resilience of agro-ecosystems and sustainable management of ...ICARDA
Dr. Rachid MRABET
Research Director
INRA Rabat
Cop 22 - Session November 16th 2016, Coping with Climate Change in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region Meeting future food demand through SCIENCE & INNOVATION
Taller Las funciones ambientales de los bosques y su rol en la reducción de l...Fundación Natura Bolivia
This document summarizes a presentation on natural resource restoration and pro-poor rural development in South Africa. It provides context on the history of natural resource management in South Africa following the end of apartheid. It outlines objectives to improve water security, biodiversity, land productivity, and rural livelihoods. It details outputs of programs like Working for Water that have restored over 1.9 million hectares and created over 2.32 million person days of employment. However, it notes challenges in fully funding restoration needs, measuring ecosystem services, and sustaining rural livelihoods. It recommends incentivizing private sector investment in restoration and establishing institutional arrangements to unlock resources for continued progress.
This document outlines a plan for developing sustainable green communities in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The objectives are to promote environmental sustainability and food security. Key components of the green communities include multi-stakeholder involvement, social groups, and microfinancing tied to participation in green activities. The communities will focus on sustainable agriculture, including crop cultivation, food production, processing, distribution and waste management. This model aims to stimulate the economy through agriculture, create new jobs, and reduce risks from issues like climate change.
The document discusses the three dimensions of sustainable development - environmental, economic, and social. For the environmental dimension, it describes the importance of healthy ecosystems and two approaches to minimizing human impact: environmental management and human consumption management. It then discusses specific aspects of environmental management like atmosphere, freshwater, oceans, and land use. For the economic dimension, it talks about decoupling environmental degradation from economic growth. Finally, for the social dimension, it emphasizes the importance of peace, security, social justice, and addressing poverty.
Climate change and sustainable intensification ILRI
Presented by Fentahun Mengistu (EIAR) at a Consultative Meeting on Strengthening CGIAR - EARS partnerships for effective agricultural transformation in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, 4–5 December 2014
The document summarizes the Association of International Research and Development Centers for Agriculture (AIRCA) alliance, which was established in 2012 with 9 founding members focused on improving global food security. AIRCA has a combined annual turnover of over $200 million and works in over 60 member countries. It aims to support smallholder agriculture and sustainable landscapes through integrated, holistic approaches. The document outlines AIRCA's expertise and contributions, intended outcomes around healthy ecosystems, and progress establishing the alliance. It proposes developing concept notes on 3 key landscapes - Lake Victoria Basin, Karakorum Pamir region, and the Trifinio region - focusing on partnerships and addressing issues like low productivity, poverty, and climate vulnerability in these areas.
Similar to Australia's role in feeding the region (20)
1. Rethinking Australia’s role
in feeding the region
ANDREW CAMPBELL
National Food Summit, Melbourne 21 March 2013
http://riel.cdu.edu.au
2. Key Points
• Food, water, land and energy are intricately interconnected
• Long-term security concerns, amplified by climate change,
affect all
• Australia has a role to play in improving food security in our
region
• But more through exporting our know-how than bulk raw
commodities — we grow about 1% of the world’s food
• Smarter Food System planning, R&D, extension and education
are required urgently
• Some thoughts on how we could improve the system 2
5. Scales for response to climate change
• Many of the main drivers of
biodiversity loss operate at the
landscape-scale e.g. habitat
fragmentation, invasive species and
changed fire regimes.
• It is the scale which lends itsel
CSIRO 2010
6. The world needs 70% more food
• The world needs to increase food production by about 70% by
2050, & improve distribution (Queensland aims to double by 2040)
• We have done this in the past, mainly through clearing, cultivating
and irrigating more land
– and intensification, better varieties, more fertiliser, pesticides
• Climate change and oil depletion is narrowing those options, with
limits to water, land, energy & nutrients. We need to grow food:
– Using less land, water & energy and emitting less carbon
– Improving nutrition, distribution, animal welfare, pollution
– Looking after rural landscapes, biodiversity, amenity & communities
6
7. Profound technical challenges
1. To decouple economic growth from carbon emissions
2. To adapt to an increasingly difficult climate
3. To increase water productivity
— decoupling the 1 litre per calorie relationship
4. To increase energy productivity
– more food energy out per unit of energy in
– while shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy
5. To develop more sustainable food systems
– In competition for land and water with the resources sector
– while conserving biodiversity and
– improving landscape amenity, soil health, animal welfare & human health
6. TO DO ALL OF THE ABOVE SIMULTANEOUSLY!
— improving sustainability and resilience
8. We need a third agricultural revolution
• High level goals: e.g. doubling food &fibre production while
doubling water productivity, and becoming a net energy
producer from farming & pastoral lands
• How to get there?
– Farming systems that make more efficient use of and conserve water,
energy, nutrients, carbon and biodiversity
– Smart metering, sensing, telemetry, robotics, guidance, biotech
– Better understanding of soil carbon & microbial activity
– Radically reducing waste in all parts of the food chain
– Farming systems producing renewable (2nd gen) bioenergy
• Also producing energy from waste
– Urban and peri-urban food production
8 – Attracting talented young people into careers in agriculture
9. Myth-busting ‘100 Top End Dams’
• 60% of Australia’s run off in 55 free-draining catchments
‘going to waste’?
NO:
• All water is ‘used’
• Any additional extraction will have an impact
• Connectivity is crucial in these systems
– Catchment to coast
– Life cycles of biota, e.g. barramundi
– Indigenous food webs and cultural uses
– Groundwater-surface water interactions
• Options for surface water storages very limited
– Coastal floodplains already affected by 18cm sea level rise (last 20 years)
10. The Mary River, NT
floodplains affected by rising sea levels
Extensive melaleuca dieback as the system gets saltier
18cm sea level rise over last 20 years
11. Constraints to irrigated agriculture in the north
• Despite popular perceptions, these systems are water-limited –
evaporation exceeds rainfall, dry season is long and difficult
• Soils are generally ancient, weathered, low nutrient status, poor
resilience to impact or disturbance
• Given climatic extremes, erosion and soil loss potential can be very
high on even gently sloping sites
• Pest and disease problems can be very significant
• Input and transport costs are much higher than in the south
• Labour is more difficult to attract and keep
• Processing and marketing infrastructure is limited
• Markets are distant, supply chains vulnerable
12. Opportunities for irrigation in the north
• North Australia Land & Water Task Force suggested potential for
20,000 – 40,000 hectares of new irrigation
• Probably groundwater-based, distributed in ‘mosaic’ irrigation
systems (see CSIRO Northern Irrigation Futures project)
• Scope for integration with cattle to increase feed supply & quality
My take:
• OK, but off-farm, industry-level constraints (markets, transport,
processing, marketing, labour, energy) equally important as
agronomic and environmental challenges
• Significant opportunities to expand/intensify existing sites
(e.g. Burdekin, Ord, Lockyer, Darling Downs and peri-urban areas)
• Major opportunities next door in neighbouring countries
13. Our nearest neighbours have major food
security issues: e.g. Timor Leste
• Food security is a very high priority for Timor-Leste
– ~40% of people malnourished (WFP VAM 2005)
– many people hungry for some months each year
– food production varies widely with seasonal conditions, but rarely
exceeds consumption, so imports are crucial
– many key elements of a productive and sustainable system are not yet
in place — economic scarcity
– there appear to be many ‘quick fixes’ to irrigation infrastructure that
would be relatively easy to implement
13
14. Food Security in Timor Leste (2)
• Longer term progress will depend on:
– Agricultural education and extension to develop a skilled workforce
(professionals and practitioners [farmers & food processors])
– The social, economic and legal context of agriculture, fisheries and
forestry to get a sound framework in place, that meets social goals
– Agricultural and environmental research to develop & refine locally
useful knowledge and to develop new solutions
– Catchment management to identify and look after the most valuable
soils and to protect water resources
– Water management to improve water productivity and
protect water quality (surface water and groundwater)
– Renewable energy systems to become independent from imported oil
14
15. So what is our role in feeding the region?
• We currently feed directly about 60 million people out of 7,000 million
− About 1% of world food supply
• We indirectly help food supply for 400-500m people through international
agricultural development programs (NFP Green Paper)
• High $AUD squeezes our margins, and poor people can’t afford to buy our
stuff anyway
• Don’t conflate export income in market niches with feeding the world
• Our most prospective export is between our ears
− Know how for climate variability & improving water productivity
− Social innovations like Landcare and water governance lessons
− Risk, resilience & response planning around disasters & extreme events
15
16. We have hard planning challenges at home
• How can this all ‘fit’ at a landscape and regional scale?
• The landscape needs to be re-plumbed and re-wired
• We need new planning approaches that:
– are robust under a range of climate change & demographic scenarios
– treat all land uses equitably – e.g. unconventional gas
– build in resilience thinking
(e.g. improve flood performance & recovery, ensure habitat connectivity &
buffering, protect refugia, don’t crowd coastlines)
– reduce greenhouse gas emissions (energy, transport, food)
– rethink transport networks (greener, tougher, smarter)
– safeguard productive soil and allow for increased food production
– facilitate recycling of water, nutrients and energy into food production
Leading, educating and bringing the community on board
17. Our R&D system is so last Century…
• Big challenges for Australian agriculture:
climate, water, food, energy, land use planning, biosecurity (pests,
weeds, disease), social license
• All cross-sectoral, with strong public dimensions
• Yet our R&D architecture is overwhelmingly commodity-based,
production-focused, with modest incentives for public good
− Exacerbated by 2009 abolition of Land & Water Australia & RIRDC cuts
• Productivity Commission 2010 Review of Rural RDCs got it
mostly right
− especially on re-establishing a bigger version of LWA
17
18. Research & Development (2)
We need a bigger share of R&D spend on:
• blue sky work: e.g. energy, ICT, web-based extension
• cross-sectoral: e.g.
− agriculture/health system links (e.g. obesity)
− urban and peri-urban agriculture & food production & distribution
− waste to energy and waste to food
− regional land use planning
− social acceptance of agriculture
• risk and resilience: e.g.
− extreme events (planning, risk management and response)
− biosecurity (serious scenario planning)
− mass movement of large numbers of people
BUT: an intelligent research investor & broker is not obvious
18
19. Agricultures need to make a better case
• Mike Stephens identifies several agricultures:
− the ~ 3000 very large businesses
− the productive and profitable middle
− the unprofitable
− the peri-urban, and lifestyle or hobby farmers
• ‘One size fits all’ approaches won’t work: Ag is multicultural
• Connect to consumers & invest in understanding them
− animal welfare and concerns about industrial food won’t go away
• Engage with social media – e.g. #AgChatOz#Food
• Landcare and Regional NRM should be seen as crucial to the
sustainability, social license and social capital of Australian Ag.
19
20. Australia’s role in feeding the region
• Our most prospective export is between our ears
• Climate-smart technologies, products & services to help
improve land, water and energy productivity in food systems
• We have a big job to practice what we preach here first
• Our food system(s), and our rural landscapes, need re-
skilling, re-wiring and re-plumbing
• New alliances are needed across the health, food and farming
systems, and along the food value chain
• Requiring better food system coordination and cross-sectoral
leadership GO FOR IT! 20
21. For more information
e.g. Managing Australian Soils
Managing Australian Landscapes in a Changing Climate
Powerful Choices
The Getting of Knowledge
Paddock to Plate (2009)
http://riel.cdu.edu.au