A Framework for International Standard for Conservation Agriculture: Towards Stewardship for Sustainable Production

Lin S.J, Friedrich T., Hansmann B, Kassam A.

Presenter: Shang-Jung, Lin (MSc Organic Agriculture, Wageningen University)Date: 29 Sep 2011

Outline

IntroductionPurpose International Standard for Conservation

AgricultureGeneral introductionStructure Example of contentApplication Challenges and further development

Introduction

FAO strategic objective A 2010-2019 : sustainable intensification of crop production

Population GrowthHigher life expectancy, better nutrition demandPressures on nature resourcesDemand on multiple agricultural outputs

Agricultural Production

Comes along with depletion of nature resources

Food Feed Fiber

Climate Change

Mitigation

Flood and Erosion Control

Biodiversity

Conservation

Ground Water

Recharge

Fuel

+

--

+ + +

- -

Goods

Environmental

Services

Introduction

Introduction

Goods

Environmental Services

Income Sources

Free or Public Services

Conservation Agriculture

Sustainable  Crop Intensification via Agro-

ecological Approches

balance

Promote CA application by providing extended benefits to farmers who practice this conceptReward farmers with more tangible forms

Assure the integrity of CA practices by setting up Good Agriculture Practices specifically for CAFollow three pillars in order to receive the real

effects of CA farming

Mitigate the gap between different initiatives regarding certification schemesDefinition of level of tillage and soil cover etc.

Purposes

International Standard for Conservation AgricultureScope

Any crop including annual crops and perennial crops grown worldwide

Potential UsersFarmers CA Communities of Practices (CoPs)Stewardship ownersGovernments

Growth Potential124 M ha of no-tillage area worldwide currentlyExpanding at the rate of 6 M ha per annum

International Standard for Conservation Agriculture

Major practices

Structure of the Standard:

Forward Planning Precise Operation

Economically Feasible Reduce Usage of Pesticide and Herbicide

Fodder Production

Structure of the Standard:1. Soil Management

- Avoid mechanical soil disturbance

- Avoid soil compaction- Maintain soil cover- Avoid soil from contamination with agrochemicals

2. Water Management - Build up soil organic matter

and implement soil restoration

- Maximum water infiltration and reduce evaporation losses

- Impact assessment of water management

3. Crop and Fodder Production

- Implement crop rotation - Conduct crop protection - Close Nutrient cycle by

integrating system

4. Inputs Management - Seeds- Agrochemicals- Fertilizer and nutrient management- Energy management

International Standard for Conservation Agriculture

• Content of the Standard

International Standard for Conservation Agriculture

Application of Standard

International Standard for Conservation Agriculture

To be certified for Stewardship

To be operated as a policy incentives

Agricultura Certificada (AC)

National CA Program (India)

- Stewardship for Sustainable Agriculture

Certification Proliferations

Target Mentioning about CA practice

Round Table on Responsible Soy Association

All kinds of Soy production

Three pillars of CA are mentioned as methods of soil erosion control and prevention practices in RTRS standard.

Rain Forest Alliance Agricultural products, forest

Three pillars of CA are described as criteria in climate module comprised in Sustainable Agriculture Standard.

Unilever Sustainable agriculture

Agricultural products

The principles of CA are covered through the content in Crop Growing Guidelines ex: to keep soil covered, economical viably crop rotation, minimum tillage

• To Create a Module as “CA Module” following the Standard• Farms comply with CA module are equally qualified for getting certification

- Payment for Environmental Services

How CA standard fit in PES scheme?Conservation effects of CA should be recognized by PES

projectsFarmers comply with CA standard are rewarded with PES

benefits.Steps

Map depiction (Soil, Watershed, Biodiversity, tillage level)Define Baseline Incorporate with point system or scoring system

Examples for PES Carbon Offsets

Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) Alberta Offset System (AOS)

Water Management RUPES Project: Eco-friendly land use management Itaipu with FEBRAPDP: Eco-friendly farming

- Policy Incentives

How CA standard fit in policy support schemeGovernments recognize CA as one of the agri-

environmental measures Point CA faming as one of the desired conditions in

rural areaSteps

MappingDescribe desired conditionsIdentify indicators

Potential for Policy SupportLow Carbon Emission Agricultural Program

(Brazil)ECAF

Challenges

How the standard be adopted in various local condition?

How the standard well applies to smallholders?How to distinguish the level of performance?

Waste managementDefine Mandatory practices and adjustable

practices Identify sustainability indicatorsCombine with measurement toolsDevelop scoring system

Further Development

International Standard for Conservation Agriculture

Acknowledgement

Dr. Theodore Freidrich (FAO) Dr. Amir Kassam (Reading University)Dr. Berthold Hansmann (GIZ)Dr. Tom Goddard (Alberta)Dr. Ivo Mello (CAAPAS)Agronomist Juliana Albertengo (Aapreid)

Delta Foundation (Taiwan )