ORGANIC FARMING DEVELOPMENT IN PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

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1 ORGANIC FARMING DEVELOPMENT IN SARAWAK PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES LAI K.F., CHAI C.C., PAUL V. RITOM, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SARAWAK

2 Part I AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN SARAWAK Pre Malaysia to Present Days..

3 Pre Malaysia period. INTRODUCTION Farming by & large traditional in nature Export crop oriented & subsistence agriculture Main export crops are pepper and rubber Subsistence agriculture with main goal to feed the family : food crops including hill & wet rice, vegetables, field crops & fruits Continued

4 INTRODUCTION Since formation of Malaysia rapid agricultural development 1960s to 1980s (1 st to 4 th Malaysia Plan) Major crops are : Rubber Rice Pepper Coconut & cocoa Oil-palm Sago Continued

5 INTRODUCTION 1980s to 1990s (5 th to 7 th MP) Decline in coconut, cocoa & rubber Rice somewhat stagnated & pepper fluctuating in consonance with market But the following commodities expanded : Oil-palm Sago Vegetables Fruits Continued

6 INTRODUCTION Late 1990s to current times (8 th to 9 th MP) Continued decline in cocoa Commercial development by government-linked agencies on rubber, oil palm, rice, sago Concurrent development on vegetable, fruit & oil palm, animal husbandry & aquaculture led by the private sector

7 The need for alternatives to agrochemicals ways of farming Commercial development of cash & food crops by Conventional intensive system led to increasing application of agrochemicals The improper usage resulted in high residues on crops produce & also led to environmental problems: Contamination to waterways & ground water source Endangering & threatening wild life survival Food chain destruction & weakening e.g. Agrochemical residues in vegetables as in the next slide

8 Vegetable pesticide residue (% exceed MRL) % to <5% exceed MRL 1999 Year

Quality Assurance Schemes Relevant crops

since 2003 (MSGAP & EUREGAP as benchmarks)

9 Quality Assurance Schemes Relevant crops certification schemes: VCS : Vegetable Certification Scheme a DOA Sarawak s initiative, implemented in 1998 SALM : Malaysia Farm Certification Scheme a National Scheme, DOA Malaysia initiative, since 2003 (MSGAP & EUREGAP as benchmarks) DOA Sarawak adopted SOM : Malaysia Organic Certification Scheme in 2005

10 Part II II ORGANIC FARMING IN THE LOCAL CONTEXT

11 Organic Farming in local context : A holistic approach on Supply Chain From production to marketing Compliance & Certified to Organic Standards e.g. MS 1529 Old practice with new improvements (incorporated with modern tech & Quality Assurance)

12 Sarawak s Strength Large tract of land under natural vegetation Relatively free from industrial, urban & industrial pollution Farming still very traditional at large- conversion could be easier At infancy stage not easy to teach but sure to grow up fast & well! Continued

13 Sarawak s Strength Large plant germplasm & mega-biodiversity Crop range fits niche & export market e.g. pepper, indigenous rice, fruit & vegetables Gathered wild products are naturally organic Abundance of vegetation provides source biomass for composting Farmers are responsive to new ideas & technology

14 Current Scenario 1. Government initiative: DOA Organic Farming incentives SOM certification program, R&D with a few private operators DOA research fairly young Continued.

15 Current Scenario 2. Private sector initiative: A number of organic farms Mainly private sector initiated Several under collaboration with DOA Only 1 certified to SOM More to go into certification Many certified to foreign standards Need harmonisation & recognition

16 DOA Organic Farming Broad Objective Towards the socially acceptable, environmentally friendly, profitable & sustainable production, processing and marketing of safe & quality organic food.

17 Specific Objectives To encourage as an alternative production system for the State To develop niche, export & local market produce based on local priority & uniqueness To encourage Quality Assurance through SOM & other certification systems To develop organic industry- farmers, processors & marketers along the Supply Chain To allocate a set % of financial & human resources for a targeted increase of Organic Farms e.g. 10% per year

18 Strategies Policy identifying Organic Farming as an Alternative production system Establish State-wide service centres for executing programmes & projects Encourage & assist current farmers for conversion to organic system Increase magnitude of Organic Farming Programs & Incentives Continued.

19 Strategies Step up research on organic technologies Set up training centre to train staff & farmers Establish organic seeds & planting material production centre Interact closely with the Organic Farmers Association

20 Specific Research Areas Innovative production system Organic approaches to plant health Soil & plant nutrient management Organic seeds & planting materials

21 Innovative production system Net house & net tunnel systems Adaptable crops/varieties Cropping system & crop mix Plant & animal waste utilization Beneficial microbes application Vertical & horizontal crop integration Aquatic culture

22 Organic approach to plant health IPM Resistant crop/variety Probiotics & compost teas Botanicals & repellents Companion & repellent crops Animal/birds/crop integration

23 Soil & plant nutrient management Soil conservation & cropping system Soil nutrient management in relation to crop removals & inputs Soil nutrient enrichment via manuring, green manure, legumes & microbes Alley & strip cropping

24 Organic seeds & planting materials DOA as source to provide To conserve, produce, distribute

25 Current scenario & challenges No. of farms & low level Public low level Subject matter low level Interest to low level DOA minor programme Private initiatives & few Market & market low key The challenges are to initiate & Fire the Organic Engine to high levels!

26 Challenges involving changes to Policy matters Farmers & staff training Publication & information disseminations Training facility & resources Public awareness to healthy & alternative food source Alternative to current production systems Organising the prospecting farmers & the business people DOA financial & human resources allocations

27 Constraints anticipated Takes time to activate changes A change to the ways used to Could be expensive to start Requires high labour input Source of input availability : compost Farmers at large not organised Insufficient channels for farmers interaction Expecting government assistance

28 DOA Plan for Organic Farming Short Term Fast Track Develop & intensify govt/private sector interaction, joint venture R&D Disseminate known technology DOA human resource development Organize prospecting farmers for conversion Provide incentives & assistance

29 DOA Plan for Organic Farming Short Term Fast Track Set up commercial compost factory at north, central & southern regions Encourage private sector participation Publicity & awareness for organic farming Prioritize crops eg pepper, rice & fruits Study Supply chain to establish weak links for improvements Set up special organic food markets

30 Long Term State Development Draw up 5-10 year plan for organic farming DOA sets up a unit for organic farming at HQ/Regional levels Establish export & local supply chain QA through SOM & Others Establish R&D stations Intensify short term plan activities Work on flagship product e.g. rice, pepper

31 Prospects With due scene: World demand growing Health concerns of quality food Standards & certifications Market access & Supply chain Niche & special market Fossil fuel & products rising costs Agro-eco-tourisms Cottage industries Continued.

32 Prospects Considerations situations: Available large tract of land under natural vegetation Natural settings of some farm land clean streams & scenic view etc potential for resort/tourist type related organic farming (include aquaculture) Large crop diversity & range- good for niche & specialty produce Continued.

33 Prospects Ethnic diversity especially tourism/organic cottage levels e.g. bags, clothes High rural population & poverty an incentive to richness Low industrial pollution good air Innovative & trainable farmers Amicable climates & luxuriant vegetation Young & growing industry

34 Potential Organic Products Specific unique & niche market crops Rice specialty, high quality & coloured Pepper creamy, decorticated Fruits indigenous types Annuals indigenous vegetables, field crops & herbs Aquaculture indigenous fish

35 Prospects Potential Organic Non food Products Agro-ecotourism based on rural scenic organic farms Local handicrafts/souvenir using organic materials Activity based packages e.g. harvesting customers interactive Picasaweb Wild flowers & ornamentals organic based

36 Prospects Sum all considerations = Prospect promising & bright Niche & specialty for export Quality assurance to be in place Motivate farmers & investors Create awareness for local markets

37 Conclusion We have Natural Ingredients (plant, soil, water) & human resources We work on the supply chain through net-working & innovations to meet the challenges & overcome the constraints We have bright & promising prospects of organic farming in the state

38 Indigenous fish

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. Professor PhD GABRIELA TEODORESCU, Romania

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. Professor PhD GABRIELA TEODORESCU, Romania SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE Professor PhD GABRIELA TEODORESCU, Romania INTRODUCTION The main objective of this project is to promote the sustainable agriculture has become key words to horticultural and agricultural