A maturing organic rice sector in Thailand, and other anti-pesticide measures
The growing use and weak regulation of pesticides and chemicals in Thailand has inspired government response to rein in usage and explore alternative farming models.
The Strategic Foresight Group writes,
Sources:
The Strategic Foresight Group, July 2011 (pg. 18):http://newsletters.clearsignals.org/SFG_July2011.pdf#page=18
Wipatayotin, Apinya. ‘Pesticides levels pose threat to Thai vegetable exports’. Bangkok Post. 26 January 2011. <http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/218184/pesticide-levels-pose-threat-tothai-
vegetable-exports>
Ussavasodhi, Santibhap. ‘Chemical substances weaken health of Thai farmers’. National News Bureau of Thailand Public Relations Department. 30 March 2011.
<http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255403300006>
‘EU health warning is also for Thai consumers sake’. The Nation. 27 January 2011.
<http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/01/27/opinion/EU-health-warning-is-also-for-Thaiconsumers-
sake-30147249.html>
Srivirojana, Nucharee. Theptepa, Thanalak. Punpuing, Suruporn. Guest, Philip. Tun, Khumtong. Chankham, Olarn and Suvarsrual, Apinya. ‘Population Pressure, Utilization of Chemicals in Agriculture, Health Outcomes and Solid Waste Management.’ <http://www.seauema.ait.ac.th/formal/Download/ARL/ISWM_Conference/Tools%20for%20Solid%20Waste%20
Management%20and%20their%20Applications.pdf>
‘The Vegetable Sector of Thailand: A Review’. FAO Corporate Document Repository.
<http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/ac145e/AC145E01.htm>
‘Thailand’. Trading Economics. 2009 .<http://www.tradingeconomics.com/thailand/agriculturalland-sq-km-wb-data.html>
Arunmas, Phusadee. ‘Chamber eyes mandatory GAP for vegetable exports’. Bangkok Post. 18 February 2011. <http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/222221/chamber-eyesmandatory-gap-for-vegetable-exports>
Hee, Tan Siang. ‘Behind the Ban’. Business Report Thailand. 30 April 2011.
<http://www.businessreportthailand.com/thailand-eu-vegetable-ban-12654>
‘Do Farmers in Thailand use Pesticides?’ Washing Soda. 8 October 2010. <
http://www.elsoda.com/soda/do-farmers-in-thailand-use-pesticides/>
Panyakal, Vitoon. ‘Thailand case studies for Organic Agricultural Development’. IFOAM. 2009.
<http://www.ifoam.org/growing_organic/2_policy/case_studies/thailand_organization_lessons.php>
Gordy, Alex. ‘Thailand: Organic growth potential’. Thailand Business News. 18 October 2010.
<http://thailand-business-news.com/economics/27656-thailand-organic-growth-potential
Angolan small farmers unable to afford fertilizer
The price of fertilizer in Angola has risen to $45 for a 50 kilogram bag, pricing small farmers out of the market. The South Africa Node writes that “The high cost is attributed to logistics, taxes and import duties, and the price of doing business in Africa’s largest oil-exporting country.” The destruction of infrastructure during Angola’s extended civil war makes transporting fertilizer costly and difficult. The high cost of storage facilities in port cities contributes to the expense of imported fertilizer; insufficient industrial capacity makes domestic production unlikely.
Salinity-tolerant agriculture could improve livelihood of rural farmers in Bangladesh
A new salinity-tolerant paddy species could increase productivity of coastal small scale-farmers, boost income, and potentially buffer against urban migration.
The Strategic Foresight Group writes,
Sources:
The Strategic Foresight Group, Nov 2010, page 6: http://newsletters.clearsignals.org/SFG_July2010.pdf#page=6‘Salinity-affected land brought under scheme’. NewAgebd. 06 February 2010.
<http://www.newagebd.com/2010/feb/06/home.html>
‘The saline revolution?’ bdnews24. 28 April 2010.
<http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=159554>
‘Mechanisms of salt tolerance in crop plants and salinity management’. Rivers and Communities.
Blog 27 August, 2009.
<http://riversandcommunities.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/mechanisms-ofsalt-
tolerance-in-crop-plants-and-salinity-management/>
Surface water shortages force farmers to monocrop
Agricultural water shortages in the north-west region of Bangladesh is causing many farmers to monocrop during the monsoon season, contributing to soil degradation and a vicious cycle that squeezes farmers into poverty and could result in depopulation/migration.
The Strategic Foresight Group writes,
Sources:
The Strategic Foresight Group, July 2010, page 6: http://newsletters.clearsignals.org/SFG_July2010.pdf#page=6Mazumdar, Shoumitra. ‘Growers in north frustrated over sterile boro crop’. New Age. 03 April
2010. <http://www.newagebd.com/2010/apr/03/front.html#5>
Ali, Anwar. ‘Water table falling by 2ft a year in Barind area’. The Daily Star. 23 March 2009.
<http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=80877>
Shariful Islam, Sarker. ‘Barind region facing imminent natural disaster’. New Nation. 21 July
2009. <http://www.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/07/21/news0523.htm>
‘Call to declare Barind tract as most vulnerable area’. The Independent. 20 May 2010.
<http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=174239>
‘Water crisis acute in vast Barind tract’ 23 March 2010.
<http://www.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/03/23/all0137.htm>
Asaduzzaman, M. Ringler, Claudia. Thurlow, J. and Alam, S. ‘Investing in Crop Agriculture in
Bangladesh for Higher Growth and Productivity, and Adaptation to Climate Change’. Bangladesh
Food Security Investment Forum. May 2010.
Naya Diganta. 28 March 2010. <http://www.sonarbangladesh.com/newsdetails.php?ID=3348>
(Bangla).
‘Crops are being destroyed due to Drought’. 13 April 2010.
<http://www.sonarbangladesh.com/newsdetails.php?ID=3798> (Bangla)
Amardesh. 20 March 2010. <http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2010/03/20/23482>
(Bangla)
Land Degradation and Organic Response in Central India
Deteriorating land quality caused by overuse of chemical fertilizers and climate disruptions are leading to crisis in Madhya Pradesh and contributing to the epidemic of farmer suicides in the region. Going back to organic farming is an option being pushed by policy makers:
"Deteriorating land quality is pushing small and marginal farmers in Madhya Pradesh (MP) into a deeper cycle of debt. At present, land in certain parts of MP requires a large amount of input in order to be able to produce the regular yield.
"Factors that have reduced land quality include:
Sources:
Strategic Foresight Group, Asian Horizons, Issue No: 8, October 2010. Page 4.http://newsletters.clearsignals.org/SFG_Oct2010.pdf#page=4
Sainath, P. ‘A Farmer is Committing Suicide Every 32 Minutes’. Alternatives International. 18
November 2007. <http://www.alterinter.org/article1394.html?lang=fr>
Jain, Sachin Kumar. ‘Chemical Warfare in Jhabua’. Info Change India. August 2010.
<http://infochangeindia.org/201008058440/Environment/Features/Chemical-warfare-in-
Jhabua.html>
Singh, Mahim Pratap. ‘Jhabua on its way to becoming Vidarbha-II?’. The Hindu. 25 August 2009.
<http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article8510.ece>
Chibber, Nandita. ‘Sulphur deficiency in Madhya Pradesh soil leads to poor harvest’. Down to
Earth. 14 August 2007. <http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/node/11331>
COMACO, making markets and conservation work together
Some wildlife conservationists are now being criticized for not acknowledging the cost-benefit analysis for local communities. When asking a local community to stop all game hunting, you risk undermining their economy and create potential for poaching if you do not provide an alternative source of income. This is exactly what has been happening throughout Africa ever since traditional hunting practices were outlawed.
Sources:
South Africa Node, Sept. 2010http://newsletters.clearsignals.org/SA-Node_Sept2010.pdf
http://www.itswild.org
