Thursday, May 15, 2008

Private Sector Proposal for Sustainable Agriculture:

Replicate and Expand Winning Solutions!

By: Annik Dollacker, on behalf of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Agri-Food Network (IAFN) and its associated industry organizations.

In practice, there is no rational alternative to increasing yield per hectare, since available land is finite and further encroachment into wildlife habitats is not an option. The use of various agricultural technologies has increased productivity dramatically since the 1960s and spared huge amounts of land (by one estimate about 970 mio hectares were spared, a bit more than the total area of the US at 940 mio hectares) from conversion. The good news is, however, that agricultural productivity has in many regions of the world not yet exhausted its full potential. Yield increases for certain critical crops in some regions can still be increased by 50 to 80%. And agricultural output can be made more efficient by avoiding crop and post-harvest losses, which still average about 40 to 50% - despite the use of crop protection products.

Tried and tested

There is no one-size-fits-all management approach or technology that can guarantee that all agriculture is sustainable. In the end, a global mosaic of viable solutions and site-specific approaches will be required to manage agro-ecosystems in a sustainable manner. Care must be taken to manage land sensibly to prevent erosion, maintain or improve soil fertility, protect water and conserve and enhance biodiversity. Many solutions for meeting escalating demands while protecting the environment already exist. The challenge lies in replicating and scaling up tried and tested solutions for distinctive, site-specific needs and to mainstreaming all these approaches globally.

The private sector is a key player in the development and promotion of good practices and technologies that can make sustainable agriculture a reality for more countries, local communities, and farmers. In addition plant breeding is also one of the most promising ways to adapt to climate change. Stress tolerant plants, that better deal with drought, heat, cold and salinity are just one example.

Technology cannot go it alone

But technology alone can not solve the problem. Taken as a whole, agriculture is a dynamic system that constantly interacts with the environment, market forces and policy frameworks. Governments therefore must play a crucial role in setting policy frameworks that adapt to market conditions and do not impede or distort markets through inappropriate measures, such as perverse subsidies.

One thing is clear: achieving meaningful changes demands a high degree of co-operation and co-ordination across the whole agricultural value chain that includes farmers, policy makers, the agri-food industries, researchers and educators within agriculture, conservation and rural development sectors to integrate objectives. Joint efforts are needed.

The private sector urges an all-out effort by the international community to replicate and expand successful solutions and activities that harness and promote good practices. This will facilitate transfer, adaptation and scaling up of all the best approaches and technologies available today. Let us be optimistic, but practical. Let us share what we know, build on the best, and ensure farm-level choice to truly achieve sustainability.