ORGANIC FARMING DEVELOPMENT IN SARAWAK PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES LAI K.F., CHAI C.C., PAUL V. RITOM, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SARAWAK
Part I AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN SARAWAK Pre Malaysia to Present Days..
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
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
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
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
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
Vegetable pesticide residue (% exceed MRL) 20 18.3 % 15 10 5 0 1993 14.9 16 8.8 9.8 4.9 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2004 to 2008: @ <5% exceed MRL 1999 Year 9.3 3.8 4.3 3.5 3.2 2000 2001 2002 2003
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
Part II II ORGANIC FARMING IN THE LOCAL CONTEXT
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)
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
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
Current Scenario 1. Government initiative: DOA Organic Farming incentives SOM certification program, R&D with a few private operators DOA research fairly young Continued.
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
DOA Organic Farming Broad Objective Towards the socially acceptable, environmentally friendly, profitable & sustainable production, processing and marketing of safe & quality organic food.
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
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.
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
Specific Research Areas Innovative production system Organic approaches to plant health Soil & plant nutrient management Organic seeds & planting materials
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
Organic approach to plant health IPM Resistant crop/variety Probiotics & compost teas Botanicals & repellents Companion & repellent crops Animal/birds/crop integration
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
Organic seeds & planting materials DOA as source to provide To conserve, produce, distribute
Current scenario & challenges No. of farms & farmers @ low level Public awareness @ low level Subject matter knowledge @ low level Interest to invest @ low level DOA emphasis @ minor programme Private initiatives & motivations @ few Market & market access @ low key The challenges are to initiate & Fire the Organic Engine to run @ high levels!
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
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
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
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
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
Prospects With due considerations @World 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.
Prospects Considerations on @local 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.
Prospects Ethnic diversity especially tourism/organic products @ 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
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
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
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
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
Indigenous fish