Post on 09-Aug-2020
OUTLOOK ON ORGANIC
FARMING FOR “GREENER” CAP
BEYOND 2013
ASSOC. PROF. DR. MARTINA BAVEC AND PROF. DR. FRANC BAVEC
UNIVERSITY OF MARIBOR FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE
SCIENCES , INSTITUTE FOR ORGANIC FARMING
NOVEMBER 12 -14, 2010, BLED, SLOVENIA
Greening the EU Common Agricultural Policy
Content
Terminology and some new questions
Conventional v.s. organic
Some examples (biodiversity, intercropping,
ecological foot print, ecological efficiency)
Situation and trends in organic farming
Agriculture in the future
Open questions and necessary changes
Conclusions
Sustainability…(Latin sustinere: sus – from below, tennere – to sustain)
The term „sustainable development‟ should be considered as a principle for sociology, philosophy, health care and geography in the concept of harmonious human development, and sustainable agriculture is a part of these integrated activities.
Sustainable agriculture was the first official term used for organic agriculture in Switzerland at the International Federation of Organic Agriculture (IFOAM) Congress in 1977 in Fishers‟ introduction - he explained that sustainable agriculture is based on nature friendly activities, the use of renewable sources in harmony with nature, including many sociological aspects.
End of the 80‟s this term is being used broader in agriculture – also for different types of conventional agriculture, and a term “organic”became official after Regulation 2092/91 in Europe – or ecological or biological in some states (Bavec et al., 2009).
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
(Brundtland, 1987). And it bacame a base for all developement progrmes
Close to the nature – sustainable in
agriculture?
Terminology (IFOAM, USA Agric. Dep., Brussless, Slovenia…)
Bavec, M. in sod. (2009). Sustainable agriculture based on integrated and organic guidelines: understanding terms : The case of Slovenian development and strategy. Outlook Agric., letn. 38, št. 1, str. 89-95.
Use of GMO, chemicals,
all conventional
Close to the nature =
integrated (= controlled use
of chemical synthetical
pesticised, fertilizers, ban of
GMO)
Production methods – what to choose?
In Slovenia from 500.000 ha agricultural area:
- 30.000 ha organic farming on 2.000 farms
- 60.000 ha integrated production on 6.000 farms
Industrial = intensive:- without GMO
- with GMO
Traditional
GAP developement in Slovenia2008 CC all farmers, Global GAP
2007 Eurep GAP 6 farms with strawberries
2005 the first information's about CC2004 GAP in fertilizing - Rule by MAFF 2003 integrated field crop production
2001 GAP obligatory for farms getting any support2001 Organic farming rule by MAFF2000 first certified organic products2000 GAP guidelines by MAFF
1999 integrated grape production
1998 integrated vegetable production started1997 guidelines for organic productionMiddle of the 90’: GAP for the use of fertilizers
GAP for the use of pesticides1990 integrated fruit productionLate 80’ Rules for “good husbandry”
2007 – 2013 Agrienvironmental
Program as a part of RDP
2001-2006 Sloveneagri environmental
program (22 measures)
1999 first paymentsfor integrated
and organic production
2004 all Slovenia is nitrate sensitive area
Some open questions
“Green washing” of conventional agricultureDefinition –
When a company, government or other group promotes green-based environmental initiatives or
images but actually operates in a way that is damaging to the environment or in an opposite manner
to the goal of the announced initiatives. This can also include misleading customers about the
environmental benefits of a product through misleading advertising and unsubstantiated claims.
(http://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/greenwashing.asp)
“Ecological intensification”Ecological intensification means designing sustainable production systems that save on inputs and are less
harmful to the environment. It also means developing varieties better suited to their environment, and
inventing new pest and disease control techniques. Lastly, it means understanding how nature functions so as
to exploit its resources without destroying it, and breaking with practices based on intensive, massive use of
pesticides, chemical fertilizers, water and fossil fuels. (CIRAD France)
Conventionalisation‟ of organic farmingDarnhofer , I. et al. 2010. Conventionalisation of organic farming practices: from structural
criteria towards an assessment based on organic principles. A review. Agron. Sustain. Dev.
Volume 30, Number 1, p. 67-81
„Conventionalisation‟ of organic farming?
Organic farming is widely perceived as being more environmentally friendly than conventional
farming. As a form of sustainable agriculture, it receives substantial support from policy for its
contribution to environmental protection as well as the provision of amenities such as biodiversity
and cultural landscapes. Consumers are attracted to organic foods as they are produced without
synthetic chemicals and comply with higher animal welfare standards.
Although organic farming certainly has the potential to fulfil these expectations, studies have shown
that some certified organic farms do not. Their practices comply with the regulations, but not
with the principles of organic farming.
To strengthen organic farming‟s transformative potential, the debate must move beyond its focus on
the bifurcation between artisanal and conventionalised organic farms, so as to capture the full
range of empirical heterogeneity. Core argument is that to adequately understand the dynamics
within organic farming and their potential impact on the ability of organic farming to fulfil the
expectations of consumers and policy-makers, it is not sufficient to focus on structural changes.
Asessment is needed - whether or not the observed changes comply with the principles and
values that are the fundament of organic farming.
Darnhofer , I. et al. 2010. Conventionalisation of organic farming practices: from structural
criteria towards an assessment based on organic principles. A review. Agron. Sustain. Dev.
Volume 30, Number 1, p. 67-81.
CONVENTIONAL / INDUSTRY / INTENSIVE
AGRICULTURE
Did not assured food safety and stabilitiy in the world
Food scandals (BSE, dioxin, pesticides, nitrates,… GMO? )
Has negatie environmental effects on
soil,
water,
air - GHG,
biodiversity,
animal wellfare is not respected,
threat for the health of people
26
Michigan study on global organic food
production (Badgley at al. 2007)
Compared present global food production with 100%
organic scenarios
Relative organic crop yields, average of 293 field
experiments
in developed world 96% of conventional
in developing world 213% of conventional
Food security Kcal/capita
Present global food availability 2785
Estimated global food availability after conversion
All yields as in developed world 2634
Higher yields in developing world 4878
Kilcher L., Zundel C. 2007. How Organic Agriculture Contributes to Food Availability. Conference onOrganic Agriculture and Food Security, 3 – 5 May 2007 FAO, Rome
Low input
High input
Yield
Time
Conversion 3-5 years after conversion
Yield development
after conversion
Organic agriculture with less trade-offs between ecosystem services. /
Huge efforts needed to make conventional agriculture sustainable.
0
20
40
60
80
100
Yield (productivity)
Yield (stability)
Organo-leptic food quality
Nutritional food quality
Animal welfare
Preventive livestock health
Farm diversity
Field diversity
Species diversity
Water ecolgy
Recycling of nutrients
Soil fertility
Soil conservation techniques
Global warming potential
No trade-offs betweenecosystem services
Organic with livestock
ORGANIC CONVENTIONAL
0
20
40
60
80
100
Yield (productivity)
Yield (stability)
Organo-leptic food quality
Nutritional food quality
Animal welfare
Preventive livestock health
Farm diversity
Field diversity
Species diversity
Water ecolgy
Recycling of nutrients
Soil fertility
Soil conservation techniques
Global warming potential
No trade-offs betweenecosystem services
No-till cropping (con)
Niggli U., Slabe A., Schlüter,M., Schmid O. 2008. A vision for organic food and farming research
2025. Side-event at U.N. Commission for Sustainable Development, 6. May 2008
• Creation of stabileecosystem based on biodiversity
• High soil fertility byincreasing soil livingorganisms and share ofhumusa
• Use of to agroenvironmetaddapted crops, varieties… races ofanimals
• Closed cycles ofmaterials andenergy
plants animals
man soil
BAN of
synthetic pesticides ,
mineral fertilizers, GMO
BAN of
preventive veterinary
treatments, tied animals, GMO
feed
What is organic farming?
EC Regulation 834/2007, 889/2008
Bavec M. et al. Sredstva in smernice za ekološko kmetijstvo. Maribor, p.15
Animal wellfare
or
Meny demands from organic farming are becaming
obligatory also in conventional farming!
Examples from animal production:
Ban on use ingredients of animal origin in feedstuffs
(after BSE crises)
Ban /change of egg production
in cages
Having calves tied (CC)
15
26
“Output”s of organic agriculture
• Tasty and healthy food from the highest quality
• Environment protection (soil, water, air)
• Preserving biodiversity
• Animal welfare
• Short food supply chains
• Healthy working place
Organic
agriculture is
the only
realy
sustainable
agriculture
production
system!
Organic farming – care of the cultural
landscape
Countryside Stewardship
Hedge rowsMarginsPollen and nectar producersArable reversion
Impacts on the delivery of biodiversity through Agri-Environment
Schemes
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/Cuthbert-35883-agriculture-Climate-change-extreme-
weather-leave-us-hungry-University-Warwick-HRI-Depa-as-Entertainment-ppt-powerpoint
Norton, L.R. et al. 2006. The benefits of organic farming for biodiversity.
Aspects of Applied Biology 79
http://orgprints.org/10220/1/The_benefits_of_organic_farming_for_biodiversity.pdf
Estimated scale of responses to organic farming
Biodiversity
Effective conservation of biodiversity is essential for human survival and the
maintenance of ecosystem processes. Despite some conservation successes
(especially at local scales) and increasing public and government interest in
living sustainably, biodiversity continues to decline. Moving beyond 2010,
successful conservation approaches need to be reinforced and
adequately financed. In addition, however, more radical changes are
required:
that recognize biodiversity as a global public good,
that integrate biodiversity conservation into policies and decision
frameworks for resource production and consumption,
and that focus on wider institutional and societal changes to enable more
effective implementation of policy.
Rands, R.W.M. et al. 2010. Biodiversity Conservation: Challenges Beyond
2010, Science magazine, 10. sept. 2010, pp. 1298 - 1303
Intercropping(Mixed cropping, Polycropping,..)• Brings higher biodiversity ant it can be a tool
to improve crop rotation!
• Yields
• Nutrients
• Weeds
• Pests
• Diseases
Land Equivalent
RatioLER > 1< 1
LER: Comparison of yields of sole and intercroping production(sum of relative yields of both components)
LER = (Y1 int / Y1 sole) + (Y2 int / Y2 sole)(Mead and Willey, 1980)
Example: White cabbage and 6 intercrops
Productivity and growth of white cabbage
(Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata f. alba
DC.) and six vegetables (lettuce, bean,
leek, tomato, celery and red beat)
planted as intercrops were investigated
in three years (2007-2009) experiments
managed according to organic farming
rules (EC 834, 2007 and EC 889, 2008)
on the field conditions in the North East
of Slovenia.
Trials were a part of the national research
project CRP Intercropping – Alternative
for reducing inputs in vegetable and field
crop production done on the UM.
Treatments WY (t/ha)
MY (t/ha)
RY LER
Cabbage 73.50a 41.07a 1.00 -
Cabbage : Lettuce 70.06ab 40.94a 0.98 1.48
Cabbage : Bean 49.31d 30.10b 0.73 1.21
Cabbage : Red beet 68.19ab 43.04a 1.05 1.27
Cabbage : Tomato 47.93d 27.93b 0.68 1.62
Cabbage : Leek 61.15bc 32.76b 0.80 1.16
Cabbage : Cellery 56.59cd 32.94b 0.80 1.27
Yields (whole - WY, marketable – MY and relative – RY ) of white cabbage with different intercrops and Land Equivalent Ratio (LER)
a, b, c, d – mean values indicated with different letters are significantly different (Duncan test; α = 0,05).
Bavec et al. 2010. CRP Intercropping – Alternative for reducing inputs in vegetable and field crop
production
Climate change – organic agriculture has for 40-60% less GHG
emissions compared to integrated and conventional farming
Ecological foot print of 5 plants in different production systems
Ecological foot print of production systems
Source: Basic research projct “Food quality dependent on different production system.” done on
UM in collaboration with TU Graz
Cabbage – ecological foot print
http://www.bestfootforward.com/edia/bff/img/splitfoot.gif
Kontrola Konvencionalno Integrirano Ekološko Biodinamično
0,0
100000,0
200000,0
300000,0
400000,0
500000,0
600000,0
700000,0
Zelje
Gnojila in škropiva
Delovni stroji
Dokup semen
Pridelovalna površina
Ok
olj
sk
i o
dti
s (
m²)
Control
Connven
Integra
Organic
Biodyn.
Productionarea
Machinery
Fertilizers and pesticides
Ecological foot print
Ecological footprint of beetroot and cabbage in different production systems. Opatija 2010.
Matjaž Turinek, Maja Turinek, Silva Grobelnik Mlakar, Franc Bavec, Martina Bavec
Ecological efficiency of production systems
From the attained footprint an additional ecological efficiency of production systems was calculated using the following
equation:
Ecological efficiency of production =
Ecological footprintYield
The SPI as calculated by Eq. (1) gives an indication of the “cost” in terms of ecological sustainability of a given product or service
(Sandholzer and Narodoslawsky, 2007). The number indicates what fraction of the overall “ecological budget”of a production system is used to provide this good or service. Lower values indicate better ecological efficienccy.
Ecological footprint of beetroot and cabbage in different production systems. Opatija 2010.Matjaž Turinek, Maja Turinek, Silva Grobelnik Mlakar, Franc Bavec, Martina Bavec
Ecological efficiency of production systems – oil pumpkins
(m2/kg yield)
Kontrola
Konv encionalno
Integrirano
Ekološko
Biodinamično
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Oljne buče
Indeks o
koljske u
čin
kovitosti (
m² k
gˉ¹)
Source: Basic research projct “Food quality dependent on different
production system.” done on UM in collaboration with TU Graz - Diploma
work of M. Turinek (2009)
Situation and vision of organic agriculture
Trend in the world, in Europe and also in Slovenia
Increasing demand by informed consumers
The highest quality (production without GMO, synthetic pesticides, preventive use of antibiotics, growth hormones,…)
Known as a tool to reduce negative environmental impact of agriculture (less GHG, lower energy consumption,…)
OF is an oppurtunity for
Natura 2000 36%
LFA 85%
Water protection regions
OF can bring new working places on
protected areas (Natura 2000,…)
Slovenian Action Plan for Organic Farming
Some goals until 2015:
15 % of all farms organic,
20 % of UAA organic,
10 % share of organic food on market
Increasing of organic tourist farms to 120 (3x
more)
Accepted by Slovene Goverment (in November,2005)
2009
Area (ha)
all
with
organic
farming
in
conver-
sion
total
share
of
total
(%)
Utilised agricultural area (UAA)
- total492,424 25,816 3,572 29,398 6.0
Arable land 180,303 2,382 540 2,922 1.6
of which
vegetables
and strawberries
3,545 112 12 124 3.5
Permanent grassland 285,973 22,669 2,764 25,433 8.9
Orchards 8,928 648 132 780 8.7
Vineyards 16,086 91 113 204 1.3
Olive groves 910 27 23 50 5.5
Nurseries 224 - - - -
Land use by type of farming in Slovenia, 2009
http://www.stat.si/eng/novica_prikazi.aspx?id=3291
Year
Agriculture holdings2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
With organic
farming115 322 412 632 910 1,220 1,393 1,610 1,789 1,853
In conversion
Summ
485
600
678
1,000
748
1,160
783
1,415
672
1,582
498
1,718
483
1,876
390
2,000
278
2,067
243
2,096
Agriculture holdings with organic farming and agriculture holdings in conversion, Slovenia, 2009
Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food
The number of agricultural holdings with organic farming keeps
increasing, but the number of newly registered agricultural
holdings in conversion showed a downward trend.
Slovenian Action Plan for Organic Farming –
situation in 2010 v.s. goals for 2015
Število ekoloških kmetij v kontroli
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Leto
Šte
vilo
km
etij
3 % 15 %
Ekološko obdelane površine v kontroli
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Leto
Hektarji
6 % 20 %
Inspected farms Organic farming area
Agriculture in the future?
Food - energy
"The limits of growth are met and spoken to a thinking in circles again. Agriculture is facing a profound change because of biological resources can be described only with the paradoxical concept of a 'limited infinity'. They will in time be available indefinitely, but can not substitute for continued growth in business just fossil fuels. An estimated net primary production of about 50-60 Gt / a is of biogenic carbon compared with an estimated consumption of about 45 Gt / a of carbon in 2050, when energy, chemical raw materials and food will be covered so that would serve virtually the whole of nature for man” (Narodoslawsky, nov. 2007, Alpe Adria Biosymposium).
What areas of supply (food, energy, raw materials) should be to covered agriculture?
Where are the limits of demands in order to ensure long-term fertility of the soil (water, humus, nutrients)?
What is the contribution of agriculture in reducing the dangerous ecological problems (fixation of carbon in the soil to reduce the greenhouse effect) and what should be paid for these services?
What logistics should be created to permit the return of remains?
Some open questions of organic farming?
How can organic farmers produce enough food in ecologically,
environmentally and socially sustainable ways without
adopting a specialized industrial model of production and
distribution?
How can advocates of organic farming promote an agriculture
that is local, small-scale and family operated, biologically and
culturally diverse, humane, and socially just?
Is it possible to replace the industrial agriculture model with a
new vision of farming deeply rooted in the original precepts
of organic agriculture?Altieri and Nicholls, 2005. Agroecology
and the Search for a Truly Sustainable Agriculture
Necessary changes include the following:
• Increase public investments in agroecological research methods with active participation of organic
farmers, thus replacing top-down transfer of standardized technology model with participatory
technology development and farmer-centred research and extension, emphasizing principles rather
than recipes or technological packages.
• Changes in policies to stop subsidies of conventional technologies and to provide support and
incentives for agro ecological approaches.
• Appropriate equitable market opportunities including fair market access and expand local farmers
markets and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture or subscription farming) with pricing systems
accessible to all.
• Create policies that intervene in the market by opening opportunities for local organic producers
(i.e. ordinances that mandate all food served in school and university cafeterias should be organic).
• Democratize and provide flexibility to the certification process, encouraging appearance of solidarious
(no-cost certification, based on mutual trust) locally adapted certification.
• Include farm size and social-labour considerations in organic standards, and limit certification
against operations that leave a large ecological footprint.
Therefore, a major challenge for the future entails promoting institutional and policy
changes to realize the full potential of a truly organic approach.
Altieri and Nicholls, 2005. Agroecology and the Search for a Truly Sustainable Agriculture
39
Beside all Bio - Technological development in agriculture and food processing in the last century…
World food secutity is threatened,
More and more civilisation illnesses in developed world,
Model of industrial agriculture brought numeurous environmental problems.
TODAY TOMORROW?consumers
market
producers
consumers
producers
market
GlobalisationNot fair
paymentsEnvironmental
problems
Local food for local market
Working places in the region
Lower transport costs
Less pollution
New
partner-
ship, CSA
Eurobarometer,
march 2010
EU
N=26.761
SI
N=1.017
Vojtech, V. (2010), “Policy Measures Addressing Agrienvironmental Issues”, OECD Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Working Papers, No. 24, OECD Publishing. doi: 10.1787/5kmjrzg08vvb-en
Agri-environmental payments applied in OECD countries in 2008
Some new trends
Conclusions
Future of »green« agriculture depends on initial
ideas and development of organic farming, which
is the only real promotor and the mirror for other
production systems, when it comes to the question
on how to manage agriculture more sustainably.
The ecological intensification of agriculture depends
on simple and clear ecological oriented CAP, which
will not support the partly »green washing« of
conventional agriculture or »conventionalisation«
of organic farming.
Conclusions
The basic principles for the development of »green«
oriented agriculture at the field level are
additional to official supported measures based
on payments in order to promote crop biodiversity
to include more:
alternative crops,
intercrops
and better support for:
hedgerows and
margin strips.
Conclusions
Indicators for the evaluation of field-farm sustainability
should include the fundamental knowledge from the
field level and take into account at least three aspects
of sustainability, namely environmental, economical, and
social functions, which are through environmental-
production-processing-social-food chain described in this
contribution in case of alternative crops.
One of the most promising indicators for measuring
interdisciplinary effects of sustainable development,
including field level, from the attained footprint is
ecological efficiency of production.
Direction of farming for the future?
Industrial or Organic
Thank you for your attention!26