Cutting back on chemicals
This ILEIA Newsletter focuses on experiences in areas where the ‘Green Revolution’ is being challenged and transformed to sustainable form of agriculture. Can agriculture, in the long run, do without mineral fertilizers and synthetic pesticides, even in the GR areas?
The answers of the contributors to this Newsletter vary considerably, but generally show optimism on what could be reached by cutting back. The main exception can be found in the driest areas, as reported by Kieft et al in Mali. In cutting back on agrochemicals, priority should be on creating optimal natural conditions in the agroecosystem. This makes management of soil health a central element. Chemical or organic external inputs, if necessary at all, will then be used more efficiently.
Table of contents:
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3 - 4written by Wim Hiemstra , Laurens van VeldhuizenCan agriculture, in the long run, do without mineral fertilizers and synthetic pesticides, even in the GR areas? We asked all contributors to this Newsletter in how far organic farming, based on non-use of synthetic pesticides, mineral fertilizers and optimal use of natural resources, is a feasible and sustainable perspective for (poor) farmers in their case. Their answers vary considerably, but generally show optimism on what could be reached by cutting back. The main exception can be found in the driest areas, as reported by Kieft et al in Mali. In cutting back on agrochemicals, priority should be on creating optimal natural conditions in the agroecosystem. This makes management of soil health a central element. Chemical or organic external inputs, if necessary at all, will then be used more efficiently.
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5 - 6written by Andrew WardellAfter initial positive results, the wide-scale introduction of monocropping of maize meets with an increasing number of problems in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Many of these clearly relate to the complete dependency on the use of chemical inputs. But within the area initiatives are taken to reverse the trend, which, with careful follow-up, may form the basis for alternative strategies. This article is based on a 3 month field and literature study, with intensive interactions with farmers and farmer groups.
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7 - 9written by Victoria Garcia-PadillaIn the same way Masagana 99 successfully campaigned for chemical agriculture, a campaign for LEISA can be organised, using a \'package approach\'. The basic difference is the emphasis on ecological techniques and farmers deciding on their innovations.
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10 - 10written by Rani PerumalBacked with more than 80 years of research on the role of fertilisers in maintaining productivity and soil health, researchers from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) are developing \'Integrated Nutrient Management\'.
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11 - 12written by Virginia C. CuevasFarmers and home gardeners in the Philippines and other Asian countries pay renewed attention to fertilising with compost. A growing concern for the environment and escalating production costs make organic fertilisers more attractive to growers and government alike. Composting as a method of producing organic fertiliser has 'limited popularity with farmers for two reasons. It requires extra labour and the compost normally takes 3-4 months to mature. The IBS (named after the 'institute of Biological' Sciences) method of rapid composting addresses these two drawbacks. In this article the author discusses the advantages and constraints of rapid composting.
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13 - 13To produce the basic demand of food, feed, fibre, fuel and raw materials from about 0.14 ha land per world citizen is the most important challenge of our time. FAO\'s Integrated Plant Nutrition Systems (IPNS) aims to balance production and conservation.
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14 - 15written by Bakary Coulibaly , Henk KieftThe availability of mineral fertilisers is often a political issue. From its import, through distribution, to pricing at farm level, different interests play a role. In Mali, a large country in the Sahelian zone of Africa, the Dutch government has been providing fertiliser 'aid' over a long period. But what is the final impact of this 'aid' for the different parties and to what extent does it enhance sustainable development?
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16 - 18written by Elske van de Fliert , Yunita T. WinartoOne of the most cited programmes on Integrated Pest Management is implemented with FAO support in Indonesia. Successes in terms of number of farmers trained are well documented. The two authors have gone beyond that and studied the impact of all this at field and village level. Important changes are taking place because of the programme, but many other factors and interests also influence farmers. Good \'after-the-training\' programmes are therefore urgently needed.
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19 - 19written by Kees G. Eveleens , Asim A. Abdel RahmanOf all chemical insecticide used on the world\'s agricultural crops it is estimated that more than one quarter is applied on cotton alone. Drawbacks of such dependency on chemicals, described by Robert van den Bosch (1978) as \"the melancholy addiction of Ol\' King Cotton\", are obvious everywhere. But there are encouraging signs of viable alternatives. Kees Eveleens and Abdel Rahman describe what has been achieved in the Sudan Gezira and what remains to be solved.
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20 - 21written by Lies Joosten , Emilio EwegCentral America has a long history of cotton production. Brown cotton (Gossypium Mexicanum Tod), nowadays a product of increasing interest in the world, is originally from this area. Lies Joosten and Emilio Eweg report on their anthropological study.
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22 - 23Bangladesh is one of the poorest and most densely populated countries in the world. It relies on rice as its major food source, but cannot grow enough to feed itself. Its mostly rural population depend on fish to supply more than 70% of their annual consumption of animal protein. Yet, the average annual consumption of fish in Bangladesh has declined rapidly in recent years. The major causes of this decline are believed to be increased use of pesticides, reduced access to monsoon season flood plains by fish due to roads and flood control embankments, and overfishing. CARE-Bangladesh began introducing integrated pest management (IPM) activities into an ongoing rice irrigation project in the late 1980\'s to increase overall food production.
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24 - 25written by Peter Beaumont , Barbara DinhamThree European countries (the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden) have instituted comprehensive pesticide reduction policies. This article looks at their experiences in identifying what a pesticide reduction policy is, how it should be developed and who should be involved. It builds on work done by The Pesticides Trust for WWF (WWF International 1992 and Pesticides Trust 1992).
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29 - 29written by Constance M. McCorkleThe author found the livestock articles in 9-1 very thought-provoking. They raised a number of observations, suggestions, and questions in his mind which he would like to share.
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30 - 31written by Kedar BudathokiVegetable production is an important component of agriculture and also an essential part of a balanced human diet. In recent years, vegetable production has also become an income generating enterprise for those farmers who are located close to markets and road sides (Budathoki, 1991). Vegetables are a valuable source of essential vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. In addition, some are also capable of providing additional calories and protein and have numerous medicinal values. However, the average daily consumption of fresh vegetables by Nepalese people at the end of the government’s 7th Five Year Plan was insufficient (Hort. Master Plan, 1990). People living in the hills, particularly of low income groups, consume lower quantities of fresh vegetables than the higher income groups living in the urban and Terai areas. Kedar Budathoki describes how research and extension can and should be sensitive to farmers\' needs when promoting new vegetable growing technologies.
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