Low Input Production Systems: Innovations in Mechanization for Food Security in Asia by Gajendra Singh Indian Agricultural Research Institute New Delhi, India and Peeyush Singh Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand Email: prof.gsingh@gmail.com
Global Challenges and food security Feeding growing population Alleviating poverty Protecting environment Responding to Climate Change Hunger and malnutrition Reduced economic growth Political instability Damages to environment Globally, 870 M people are chronically hungry (FAO, 2012) Two-thirds of the World s under nourished people lived in the Asia and the Pacific region (FAO, 2013) 13% of the population in the Asia and the Pacific region were hungry and malnourished during 2010-2012 (FAO, 2012)
World need to feed 2 billion more people by 2050 Global food demand would increase by 60% by 2050 (OECD- FAO, 2012) Agricultural development is the most effective ways for addressing food security challenges 1% growth in Agricultural Economy fuels a 6% increase in spending by the poorest 10% of population (World Bank, 2008)
Agricultural Development in the AP Region In monetary value terms the agrarian activities of the region have considerably shifted Cereals, fruits & vegetables and livestock production continue to be the main activities of the agricultural sector Percent Composition of Agricultural Output (constant $) for Asian Countries, 1970 and 2010 (Source: Soni (2014) calculation based on data from Briones and Felipe (2013))
Changing Dietary Habits: Asian economies are undergoing major transformation Rapid economic growth has led to high growth in individual incomes in most countries in the region There is a shift in consumer preferences toward increasingly diversified, safe and high-value food products Increasing demand for high-quality packaged and branded foods caused by the phenomenal growth of supermarkets and hypermarkets in the urban centers are putting pressure on the existing Agricultural on-farm production and post-production systems in the region
Cambodia China Japan RoK Lao Indonesia Malaysia Philippines Thailand Viet Nam Bangladesh Bhutan India Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka Share in agricultural output (Measured in Y2000 USD) 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Others Livestock Fruits and vegetables Oil crops Sugar crops Roots and tubers Cereals Shares in Agricultural Output by Country, Developing Asia, 2010 (Source: Soni (2014) calculation based on data from Briones and Felipe (2013))
Cereal yield Several factors affect national average of cereal yield Topography; Climate; Technology; Soil constraints (2-2.5 t/ha) Timor-Leste, Nepal; (2.6-3 t/ha) Pakistan, India, Cambodia, Thailand; (3-4.5 t/ha) Philippines, Sri Lanka, DPRK, Myanmar, Malaysia, Lao PDR, Bangladesh; (4.5-5 t/ha) PNG, Indonesia, Japan; (5-7 t/ha) Viet Nam, China and ROK 3.7 t/ha World average Many countries of the Asia and the Pacific region continue (esp. lower-middle to low income) to grapple with numerous constraints Modern technology adoption; Poor infrastructure; Weak human resource capacity
World RoK Japan China Vietnam Indonesia PNG Bangladesh Lao PDR Sri Lanka Myanmar Malaysia DPRK Philippines Thailand Pakistan India Cambodia Nepal Timor-Leste Cereal yield, kg/ha 7000 6000 Cereal Yield: Decadal average 1960-70 1970-80 1980-90 1990-00 2000-11 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Average of cereal yield over decades (Source: Soni (2014) calculation based on data from FAOSTAT and World Bank, 2013) Cereal yield, measured as kilograms per hectare of harvested area includes:wheat, rice, maize, barley, oats, rye, millet, sorghum, buckwheat and mixed grains. Production data on cereals relate to crops harvested for dry grain only.
Agricultural Mechanization in the Asia and the Pacific Region Mechanization is a powerful tool for achieving sustainable agricultural production From sustainability perspective the Agricultural Mechanization debate revolves around two aspects: Feasibility and impact of using higher levels of farm power Impacts of continuous & improper use of technology on environment and natural resources
The experience of the Asia and the Pacific Region shows higher mechanization of processing and irrigation than the mechanization of crop husbandry and harvesting operations Countries across the Region differ widely with respect to how they use Farm Power Since 1990s, the use of Draught Animal Power (DAP) as a power source in Asian agriculture has declined considerably In India, number of draft animals declined from 85 M (1975) 53 M (2005) 18 M (by 2030) [Singh, 2013] In Bangladesh, since 1980s cyclones killed huge number of draft animals, they were replaced by 2WT In China, by 2025 the draft animals will be completely replaced by 2WT and 4 WT [Renpu, 2014] Draft animals-based designs of tillage implements are still being used on tractors; - the only difference being more number of tines/discs
Machinery use intensity (per 1000 ha arable land) Tractor (4WT+2WT) use intensity (Units per 1000 ha of arable land) Harvesters-Threshers use intensity (Units per 1000 ha of arable land) Bangladesh BGD 63.32 2012 38.29 2012 Bhutan BTN 0.90 2000 Cambodia KHM 18.19 2010 3.83 2010 China CHN 195.16 2010 10.45 2010 India IND 36.42 2011 3.03 2008 Indonesia IDN 4.66 2010 16.54 2000 Japan JPN 453.21 2000 DPRK DPRK 27.91 2003 ROK ROK 169.93 2008 58.22 2003 Lao PDR LAO 0.77 2003 Malaysia MYS 62.44 2011 21.50 2011 Myanmar MMR 23.47 2012 3.83 2011 Nepal NPL 27.30 2011 39.07 2010 Pakistan PAK 23.95 2010 0.07 2000 Papua New Guinea PNG 5.89 2002 32.41 2002 Philippines PHL 11.70 2008 14.96 2011 Sri Lanka LKA 17.92 2007 0.01 2003 Thailand THA 186.05 2008 4.80 2008 Timor-Leste TLS 0.77 2003 Viet Nam VNM 76.92 2009 35.69 2003 Source: Soni (2014) calculation based on data from World Bank (2013) and FAOSTAT (2013)
Mechanization rate (%) in agricultural production activities Activity Viet Nam (2011) Soil preparation upland crops 65 Indonesia (2010) Bangladesh (2010) Philippines (2009) Rice and Corn China 2009 (overall) India 2008 (overall) Cambodia (2011) Soil preparation for rice cultivation 72 38 75 Medium to High Rice planting ~0 ~0 Low Rice weeding ~0 20 Low Rice pest and disease control 100 90 Active irrigation for rice 85 50 60 Transport in agriculture and rural 66 Rice drying in summer- autumn season in Mekong River Delta 38.7 15 region Rice harvesting 15 ~0 10 Low Rice threshing 84 21 Medium to High Rice milling 95 100 High Land preparation, plowing 66 23 63 Sowing 41 21 Harvesting 35 Total Mechanization Level 46 Sources: Soni (2014) calculations based on: CSAM Country Report Viet Nam (2012); CSAM Country Report Indonesia (2012); CSAM Country Report Bangladesh (2012); CSAM Country Report Philippines (2012); CSAM Country Report China (2012); CSAM Country Report India (2012); Soni and Ou (2010); Justice and Biggs (2013); UN- APCAEM Country Report Cambodia (2011).
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Production of tractors (4-wheel) 1961 880 Tractors 1970 20,000 Net importer upto 1976 1980 71,000 Exports started: Africa 1990 140,000 Exports grew upto 7,000/year 2000 256,000 Exports grew upto 50,000/year 2010 560,000 USA, Malaysia,Turkey, South 2011 630,000 Asian and African countries 2012 579,000 Exports more than 60,000 tractors 2013 690,000 Exports about 65,000 tractors Of global production of tractors India produces more than 1/3 rd of total tractors and more than 50% of <60 hp category. India is the biggest producer of tractors in world. Mahindra is #1 company producing tractors worldwide.
Trend in Farm Power Availability in India Share of agricultural worker & draught animals came down from 60.8% in 1971-72 to 10.1% in 2012-13
Common custom hire services Transportation: 4WT and 2WT trailer: all countries; Animal carts: Nepal, Cambodia, Laos Milling: Engine and motor: all countries Water pumping: Engine, motor, 2WT pump: most countries Threshing (Wheat): 4WT thresher: India, China, Pakistan, Nepal Threshing (Rice): 4WT and 2WT thresher: most countries; Threshing (Diesel engines): Thailand Harvesting (Wheat): Combine harvester: China, India, Pakistan Harvesting (Rice): Combine harvester: China, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka
Common custom hire services Tillage (Dry): 4WT: most countries Tillage (Wet): 2WT: most countries Land leveling: 4WT laser leveler: India, Pakistan, Cambodia Seeding: 4WT seed drill: China, India, Pakistan Transplanting (Rice): China, India Maize shelling: India, Bangladesh Harvesting (Sugarcane): Thailand, India
Examples: In China Combine Service Enterprises(CSEs) in 2011 were operating in 12 provinces. They shifted from Chinese Futian combines to more reliable Japanese Kubota combines. CSEs have evolved in small co-operatives of 5-10 CSEs for maintenance and coordination. Combines are upto 8 months away from home. In India combine service providers travel upto 600 kms over a period of 2 months to harvest mainly wheat crop.
Technical issues Decline in Productivity Growth Growth in rice yields has fallen from 2.2% (1970-90) 0.8% (1990-2000) (IRRI) Land available for rice production is declining as land around urban areas is being converted for other uses such as for housing and industry Declining water availability for cultivation as demand by industrial and municipal users is growing rapidly Changing source of farm power: In most countries, rapid change from animate (animal and human) to mechanical, with increasing use of 2WT/4WT, irrigation pumps (diesel/electric), and post-harvest & processing equipment Key issue is to plan and facilitate the transition while addressing socio-economic, technical and environmental concerns Key issue is to ensure that the new power source can be optimally utilized by the farmer on his/her own and/or through rental systems on/off-farm Some countries are transitioning rapidly from low hp to high hp tractors; technical and socio-economic consequences of this rapid change need to be carefully researched and documented
Food safety and Quality issues: Competitiveness of the agricultural sector is greatly influenced by the status of its technological developments and food safety concerns. Key issue is that the Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization will need to go beyond the on-farm productivity, and to include the post-harvest systems and the entire food chain In a number of cases it favors the use of new and improved technologies: Precision farming; Controlled environment agriculture; Traceability; Bulk packaging and processing equipment Key issue is also to ensure the safety and health of agricultural workers: Improved hygiene of work place; Ergonomics; GAP
Importance of agriculture in employment and GDP of selected countries in the Asia and Pacific (Sources: Soni (2014) calculations based on: World Development Indicators 2012; The World Factbook, 2012)
In general, the agricultural value added (%) has been declining over the years in the selected AP countries Agricultural value added (% of GDP) Viet Nam Timor-Leste Thailand Sri Lanka ROK Philippines PNG Pakistan 10-years Average Agricultural value added (% of GDP) (Source: Soni(2014) calculation based on data from World Bank, 2013) Note: for 2010- series, data from year 2010 until the recent available year 2012 or 2013 is used Nepal Myanmar Malaysia Lao PDR Indonesia India DPRK China Cambodia Bangladesh 80 70 1960-70 1970-80 1980-90 1990-00 2000-10 2010-60 50 43 40 33 35 32 36 30 20 10 21 26 11 12 12 21 11 15 18 23 10 18 3 0
Farm size, Farmers and Farmer capacity Most of the Asian farms are SMALL, and getting SMALLER 87% of the World s 500 M small farms (<2ha) are in the Asia and the Pacific Region Average size of operated area (actual area cultivated) per holding in the AP Region varies widely from as low as 0.4 ha to 4 ha Five countries in the Region host about 70% of the small farms globally (China- 198 M, India- 98 M, Bangladesh- 24 M, Indonesia- 22 M, Viet Nam- 10 M) Secure Land Tenure is essential for successful programs in Agricultural Mechanization, which also enables farmer to get credit/loan for buying machinery
Distribution of small farm holdings in Asia and the Pacific Percent of agricultural holdings Under 0.5 ha Under 1 ha Under 2 ha Operated Operated Operated Number Number Number Area Area Area Average size of operated area per holding (ha) China (2) 83.2 n.a. 92.9 n.a. 97.8 n.a. 0.7 India 42.7 7.7 62.9 18.7 81.8 38.9 1.3 Indonesia n.a. n.a. 74.82 n.a. 88.73 n.a. 0.79 Bangladesh 76.18 23 86.68 41.2 98.33 83.6 0.40 Viet Nam 67.1 n.a. 84.2 n.a. 94.6 n.a. 0.71 Pakistan 19.5 1.8 36.1 5.8 57.6 15.5 3.1 Thailand (4) 2.64 n.a. 24.05 n.a. 51.8 n.a. 3.16 Philippines 20.2 2.4 40.1 8.7 68.1 25.8 2 Myanmar (1) 14.9 0.7 33.4 5.5 56.6 19 2.5 Nepal 47.3 14.7 74.2 38.9 91.7 68.7 0.8 Sri Lanka (3) 17.3 7.8 33.9 26.3 n.a. n.a. 0.5 Cambodia 35.6 12.7 65.00 37.9 84.40 70.2 4.01 RoK 36 n.a. 62 n.a. 84.1 n.a. 1.43 Lao PDR n.a. n.a. 35.1 12.8 70.4 42.8 1.6 Southeast Asia n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 1.36 South and Southwest Asia n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 1.27 North and Central Asia n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 19.47 East Asia n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 0.60 Pacific Islands n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 2.40 Developed Countries n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 156.97 Asia Pacific n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 2.87 Compiled from information retrieved from: 2000 World Census of Agriculture (2005); APCAS (2010); Department of Agricultural Extension (2001); OAE (2013); OECD (2008); CDRI (2001); FAO-RAP (2012)
Trends in average size of operated farm land per holding (ha) India 1971 1991 1995 2001 2.3 1.6 1.4 1.3 Indonesia 1973 1993 2000 1.1 0.9 0.8 Nepal 1992 2002 1 0.8 Pakistan 1971 1989 2000 5.3 3.8 3.1 Philippines 1971 1991 2000 3.6 2.2 2 Sources: Nagayets (2005); APCAS (2010)
Demographic trends Much of the growth in world population occurs in Asia By 2025, the AP region would need 20% more than the 2000 s production equivalent of adding 2-3 Mha/year of new land at current average yield levels Such land is NOT available, and production should come from increased yields and reduced post-harvest losses Less labor will be available for farming, esp youngsters migrate to cities Rising rural-wages will necessitate labor-saving options (i.e. Farm mechanization) Increasing Feminization of agriculture: More men migrating to cities than women Gender specific interventions in mechanization programs Ageing Rural Population: Young and educated youth are migrating to cities; several country reports point to an increasing aging rural mass Futuristic agricultural system would need young, educated and tech-savvy farmers
Urbanization A number of countries in the AP Region are more than 50% urbanized By 2030, all the countries with large populations will have crossed 50% urbanization mark Urbanization presents both an opportunity as well as threat to Ag sector Opportunity: huge market opportunities for food and Ag products in cities Threat: Less people to work at rural farms Region Urban population (2010) Urbanization rate, p.a. (2010-2015e) World 50.50% 1.85 Bangladesh 28% 3.10 China 47% 2.30% India 30% 2.40% Indonesia 44% 1.70% Korea, N. 60% 0.60% Korea, S. 83% 0.60% Malaysia 72% 2.40% Nepal 19% 4.70% Pakistan 36% 3.10% PNG 13% 2.90% Philippines 49% 2.30% Sri Lanka 14% 1.10% Thailand 34% 1.80% Timor Leste 28% 5% Viet Nam 30% 3% Sources: World Development Indicators (2012); The World Factbook (2012)
Environmental issues Inappropriate mechanization inputs may lead to Accelerating soil erosion Soil compaction Promoting over-use of chemical inputs Land degradation Salinization of irrigated areas Over extraction of ground water Threat of Climate Change Agriculture is responsible for about 30% of the total greenhouse gas emissions Rice-based production systems in most developing Asian countries are highly vulnerable to Climate Change risks Delta countries i.e. Viet Nam and Bangladesh being most vulnerable to sea-level rise, floods and erratic weather
Water use in agriculture Agriculture is considered to be the largest user of the fresh water, which draws about 70% of the available fresh water on earth. AP Region has only 38% of total world renewable water resources. Annual Water Withdrawal (<35%) Malaysia; (60-65%) ROK, Japan, China; (75-90%) DPRK, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, India; (90-95%) Timor-Leste, Lao PDR, Pakistan, Cambodia, Bhutan, Viet Nam; (95-100%) Nepal. Lower water withdrawal, on one side refers to better water productivity, while on the other side it may also indicate relative availability/capacity of irrigation infrastructure and equipment
Electricity use in agriculture Electricity used in agriculture in the AP Region include electric pumps for irrigation, electric motor for driving stationery power threshers, tread mills, local artisans in workshop, lighting, fencing, drying, grinding, and processing. Annual electricity consumption in agriculture per unit of arable land varies widely across the AP Region. Though it is affected by not only the rural-electrification, but also farmers choices/convenience in selecting source of power (15-30 kwh/ha) Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Lao PDR; (145-275 kwh/ha) Viet Nam, Malaysia, PNG, Bangladesh, Philippines; (430-875 kwh/ha) Pakistan, India, China;
Conclusion Sustainable production intensification Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization Environmental friendly agricultural management Optimum use of farm inputs
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