ORGANIC FARMING DEVELOPMENT IN SARAWAK PROSPECTS … SESSIONS/PLENARY 4/LAI KUI FONG.pdf · ORGANIC...

ORGANIC FARMING DEVELOPMENT IN SARAWAK

PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

LAI K.F., CHAI C.C., PAUL V. RITOM,

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURESARAWAK

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Part IPart I

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN SARAWAK

Pre Malaysia to Present Days ……..



INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Ø Farming – by & large traditional in nature

Ø ‘Export crop’ oriented & subsistence agriculture

Ø Main export crops are pepper and rubber

Ø Subsistence agriculture with main goal to feed the family : food crops including hill & wet rice, vegetables, field crops & fruits

Continued ……

Pre Malaysia period….




Since formation of Malaysia – rapid agricultural development

1960s to 1980s (1st to 4th Malaysia Plan)

ØMajor crops are :§ Rubber

Continued ……

§ Rice§ Pepper§ Coconut & cocoa§ Oil-palm§ Sago




1980s to 1990s (5th to 7th MP)

Ø Decline in coconut, cocoa & rubber

Ø But the following commodities expanded :

Continued ……

§ Sago§ Vegetables

§ Oil-palm

§ Fruits

Ø Rice somewhat stagnated & pepper fluctuating in consonance with market




Late 1990s to current times (8th to 9th MP)

Ø Continued decline in cocoa

Ø Commercial development by government-linked agencies on rubber, oil palm, rice, sago

Ø Concurrent development on vegetable, fruit & oil palm, animal husbandry & aquaculture led by the private sector



The need for alternatives to agrochemicals ways of farming

Ø Commercial development of cash & food crops by Conventional intensive system led to increasing application of agrochemicals

Ø The improper usage resulted in high residues on crops produce & also led to environmental problems:

Ø Contamination to waterways & ground water sourceØ Endangering & threatening wild life survivalØ Food chain destruction & weakening

e.g. Agrochemical residues in vegetables as in the next slide



Vegetable pesticide residue (% exceed MRL)

8.8 9.8

18.3

4.99.3

3.8 4.3 3.5 3.214.9 16

05

101520

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Year

%

2004 to 2008: @ <5% exceed MRL



Quality Assurance SchemesQuality Assurance Schemes

Relevant crops certification schemes:

Ø SALM : Malaysia Farm Certification Scheme – a National Scheme, DOA Malaysia initiative, since 2003 (MSGAP & EUREGAP as benchmarks)

Ø VCS : Vegetable Certification Scheme – a DOA Sarawak’s initiative, implemented in 1998

Ø DOA Sarawak adopted SOM : Malaysia Organic Certification Scheme in 2005



Part IIPart II

ORGANIC FARMING IN THE LOCAL CONTEXT



Organic Farming – in local context :

Ø A holistic approach on Supply Chain – From production to marketing

Ø Compliance & Certified to Organic Standards – e.g. MS 1529

Ø Old practice with new improvements – (incorporated with modern tech &

Quality Assurance)



Ø Large tract of land under natural vegetation

Ø Relatively free from industrial, urban & industrial pollution

Ø Farming still very traditional at large- conversion could be easier

Ø At infancy stage – not easy to teach – but sure to grow up fast & well!

Sarawak’s StrengthSarawak’s Strength

Continued ……



Ø Large plant germplasm & mega-biodiversity

Sarawak’s StrengthSarawak’s Strength

Ø Crop range fits niche & export market – e.g. pepper, indigenous rice, fruit & vegetables

Ø Gathered wild products are naturally organic

Ø Abundance of vegetation provides source biomass for composting

Ø Farmers are responsive to new ideas & technology



1. Government initiative:

Current ScenarioCurrent Scenario

Ø DOA – Organic Farming incentives

§ SOM certification program,

Ø DOA research – fairly young

§ R&D with a few private operators

Continued ….



2. Private sector initiative:

Current ScenarioCurrent Scenario

Ø A number of organic farms

§ Mainly private sector initiated

Ø Only 1 certified to SOM

§ Several under collaboration with DOA

§ More to go into certification Ø Many certified to foreign standards§ Need harmonisation & recognition



DOA Organic FarmingBroad Objective

Towards the socially acceptable, environmentally friendly, profitable

& sustainable production, processing and marketing of safe &

quality organic food.



Ø To encourage as an alternative production system for the State

Specific ObjectivesSpecific Objectives

Ø To develop niche, export & local market produce based on local priority & uniqueness

Ø To encourage Quality Assurance through SOM & other certification systems

Ø To develop organic industry- farmers, processors & marketers along the Supply Chain

Ø To allocate a set % of financial & human resources for a targeted increase of Organic Farms e.g. 10% per year



Ø Policy identifying Organic Farming as an Alternative production system

StrategiesStrategies

Ø Establish State-wide service centres for executing programmes & projects

Ø Encourage & assist current farmers for conversionto organic system

Ø Increase magnitude of Organic Farming Programs & Incentives

Continued ….



StrategiesStrategies

Ø Step up research on organic technologies

Ø Set up training centre to train staff & farmers

Ø Establish organic seeds & planting material production centre

Ø Interact closely with the Organic Farmers Association



Specific Research AreasSpecific Research Areas

Ø Innovative production system

Ø Organic approaches to plant health

Ø Soil & plant nutrient management

Ø Organic seeds & planting materials



Innovative production systemInnovative production system

Ø Net house & net tunnel systems

Ø Adaptable crops/varieties

Ø Cropping system & crop mix

Ø Plant & animal waste utilization

Ø Beneficial microbes application

Ø Vertical & horizontal crop integration

Ø Aquatic culture



Organic approach to plant healthOrganic approach to plant health

Ø IPM

Ø Probiotics & compost teas

Ø Botanicals & repellents

Ø Resistant crop/variety

Ø Companion & repellent crops

Ø Animal/birds/crop integration



Soil & plant nutrient managementSoil & plant nutrient management

Ø Soil conservation & cropping system

Ø Soil nutrient management in relation to crop removals & inputs

Ø Soil nutrient enrichment via manuring, green manure, legumes & microbes

Ø Alley & strip cropping



Organic seeds & planting materialsOrganic seeds & planting materials

Ø DOA as source to provide

Ø To conserve, produce, distribute



Current scenario & challengesCurrent scenario & challenges

Ø No. of farms & farmers @ low level

Ø Public awareness @ low level Ø Subject matter knowledge @ low level

Ø Interest to invest @ low level Ø DOA emphasis @ minor programme

Ø Private initiatives & motivations @ few

Ø Market & market access @ low key

Ø The challenges are to initiate & Fire the Organic Engine to run @ high levels !



Challenges involving changes to Challenges involving changes to

Ø Policy mattersØ Farmers & staff training

Ø Publication & information disseminations

Ø Training facility & resources

Ø Public awareness to healthy & alternative food source

Ø Alternative to current production systems

Ø Organising the prospecting farmers & the business people

Ø DOA financial & human resources allocations



Constraints anticipatedConstraints anticipated

Ø Takes time to activate changes

Ø A change to the ways used to

Ø Could be expensive to start

Ø Requires high labour input

Ø Source of input availability : compostØ Farmers at large not organised

Ø Insufficient channels for farmers interaction

Ø Expecting government assistance



DOA Plan for Organic Farming Short Term – Fast Track


Ø Develop & intensify govt/private sector –interaction, joint venture R&D

Ø Disseminate known technology

Ø DOA human resource development

Ø Organize prospecting farmers for conversion

Ø Provide incentives & assistance





Ø Set up commercial compost factory at north, central & southern regions

Ø Encourage private sector participation

Ø Publicity & awareness for organic farming

Ø Prioritize crops eg pepper, rice & fruits

Ø Study Supply chain to establish weak links for improvements

Ø Set up special organic food markets



Long Term State DevelopmentLong Term State Development

Ø Draw up 5-10 year plan for organic farming

Ø DOA sets up a unit for organic farming at HQ/Regional levels

Ø Establish export & local supply chain

Ø QA through SOM & Others

Ø Establish R&D stations

Ø Intensify short term plan activities

Ø Work on flagship product e.g. rice, pepper



ProspectsProspects

Ø World demand growing

With due considerations @World scene:

Ø Health concerns of quality food

Ø Standards & certifications

Ø Market access & Supply chain

Ø Niche & special market

Ø Fossil fuel & products rising costs

Ø Agro-eco-tourismsØ Cottage industries Continued ….



ProspectsProspects

Ø Available large tract of land under natural vegetation

Considerations on @local situations:

Ø Natural settings of some farm land – clean streams & scenic view etc – potential for resort/tourist type related organic farming (include aquaculture)

Ø Large crop diversity & range- good for niche & specialty produce

Continued ….



ProspectsProspects

Ø Ethnic diversity – especially tourism/organic products @ cottage levels e.g. bags, clothes

Ø High rural population & poverty – an incentive to richness

Ø Low industrial pollution – good air

Ø Innovative & trainable farmers

Ø Amicable climates & luxuriant vegetation

Ø Young & growing industry



Potential Organic ProductsPotential Organic Products

Ø Rice – specialty, high quality & coloured

Specific unique & niche market crops

Ø Pepper – creamy, decorticated

Ø Fruits – indigenous types

Ø Annuals – indigenous vegetables, field crops & herbs

Ø Aquaculture – indigenous fish



ProspectsProspects

Picasaweb

Potential Organic Non food Products

Ø Agro-ecotourism based on rural scenic organic farms

Ø Local handicrafts/souvenir using organic materials

Ø Wild flowers & ornamentals –organic based

Ø Activity based packages – e.g. harvesting – customers interactive



ProspectsProspects

Ø Sum all considerations = Prospect promising & bright

Ø Niche & specialty for export

Ø Quality assurance –to be in place

Ø Motivate farmers & investors

Ø Create awareness for local markets



ConclusionConclusion

Ø We have Natural ‘Ingredients’ (plant, soil, water) & human resources

Ø We have bright & promising prospects of organic farming in the state

Ø We work on the supply chain throughnet-working & innovations to meet the challenges & overcome the constraints



Indigenous fish



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