True Cost of Food and Agriculture

Current
agricultural production systems have been calibrated to maximise return on
investment, and utilises large amounts of inputs in terms of agrochemicals and
energy. However, such production systems often ignore, (i) the contribution of
ecosystem functions and services to the production systems, (ii) social aspects
of farming, and (iii) the impact of intensive practices on public and
environmental health. Thus these systems are increasing financial capital at
the expense of both social and natural capital. Moreover, current economic and
policy environment also supports such systems by subsidising agriculture with
the costs to public and environment health. At the same time, these systems can
appear to be more profitable than some of the sustainable alternatives due to their
unrecognised and unaccounted costs associated with the above-mentioned damage
that they are not being charged for.

Therefore, there is need to recalibrate
current agricultural systems by understanding, assessing and monetising the
social and environmental benefits and costs of different production systems.
This information then can be used to influence policies that may favour those
practices which enhances social and natural capital in agriculture and optimise
food production systems. A farm sustainability assessment tool described in this presentation analyses different food production systems and reveal their social and environmental benefits and costs.

Comments

Campaign for the Support of Farmers in India

INDIAN GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO LISTEN TO FARMERS IN REFORMING AGRICULTURE IN INDIA 1. Three new farm acts in India are proving to be the last straw for about 90 million small-holders and their families. This has grave implications for about 800 million rural dwellers who are directly or indirectly dependent on farming for their livelihood. In addition, food security of the entire nation with 1.35 billion population is at risk. 2. Indian government maintains that these farm laws will usher a new economic revolution in the ailing farm sector. 3. Whereas farmers are opposing as they fear losing their land – only source of their livelihood – to corporate backed agri-enterprises. 4. The protest and persistence by farmers have opened up an opportunity for a dialogue between farmers and the government and for a new beginning. This has potential to reform small-holder agriculture but in close consultation with the farmers. 5. However, the rights of these farmers and many associated organisatio

Local Food Systems for Sustainability

Local, traditional, and indigenous food systems were successful in supplying year-round requirements for food and within the environmental constraints. How were they able to do it? What were the practices and principles of local food systems that helped them thrive and maintain growing population in many parts of the world? These food systems have been embedded in the society. Many traditional societies evolved around such unique food systems. Such food systems have been maintaining agricultural biodiversity and are important source of knowledge and culture as documented by the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. For example, rice-fish-duck system in China, traditional agriculture of Koraput, India , Noto’s Satoyama and Satoumi in Japan , Andean agriculture, Peru , Maasai Pastoralist Heritage Area in Tanzania , etc. These have been well documented around the world as source of inspir

All Good Earth and No Seed: Dilemma of an Organic Cotton Farmer

Sitaram, an organic cotton farmer struggles to develop non-GM cotton seed for his future generations. (Photo H. Sandhu) On my recent visits to rural parts of India, I came across a group of organic farmers in Kasrawad town, Khargone District, Madhya Pradesh. These farmers switched from high input cotton growing to organic cotton about 15 years ago. I talked to some farmers and they claimed that the smiles on their faces are all due to organic way of producing cotton. They are free from debts owing to input costs of pesticides, GM (genetically modified) seed and fertilisers. Instead they are boasting of fixed deposits in their banks as compared to fellow conventional farmers who are still sticking to GM cotton and hoping for some relief and expecting end to the vicious cycle of debt and crop failure due to periodic droughts in the area. Having said that these organic farmers are not rich or living a luxurious life however, they are living a decent life, largely free fro

Ecosystems and Well-being

Search This Blog