Eco-agriculture: Effective and Sustainable Model

Facing numerous consequences of agricultural industrialisation in terms of environment as well as income inequality to poor farmers, Oxfam has called on governments to invest in a more sustainable model of agriculture, which has little impact on the ecosystem.

 

The eco-agriculture model, according to the report, would bring lasting social, economic and environmental benefits. This model was perfectly feasible if implemented with the right policies and efficient investment, and could be expanded to help small rural communities ensure food security.

 

Oxfam also warned about the dangers and consequences of developing large farms and agricultural production on industrial scale, which could lead to depletion of soil nutrients. The use of synthetic chemical fertilizers could help increase productivity, but misuse of that product was also considered the cause of degraded soil and water pollution.

 

In addition, industrialised agricultural production was also a factor behind climate change. Many activities caused increase in the greenhouse effect such as the use of fuel oil and fertilizer in large-scale production, it also led to loss of organic matter in soil; affecting biodiversity and posing harm to human health. In particular, the use of synthetic pesticides was a major threat to biodiversity, impacting the lives of the poorest population groups whose food source and livelihood largely depend on nature.

Moreover, industrialised agriculture did not fully satisfy the needs of poor farmers. For smallholder farmers, fertilizers and pesticides were too expensive compared to the prices of agricultural products. Many farmers had to get loan for it, which pushed them into indebtedness and dependence, especially when facing poor seasons.

 

Over the years, in Vietnam, Oxfam and partners have piloted two representative models of eco-agriculture which are potato cultivation with minimum tillage method and improved system of rice intensification (SRI). For example, improved SRI have key features including less condensed seeding and transplanting young rice on wet fields rather than flooded fields. This has resulted in stronger rice roots and higher productivity, while reducing the amount of irrigation water needed by 25 - 50 percent. This method of rice farming can help farmers save up to 90 percent of seed and cut down methane emissions into the environment. Combined with reduced input costs and increased productivity, farmers can raise their income around VND4.2 - 6.3 million/ha/crop. As estimated by the Ministry of Agriculture, by the end of 2013, Vietnam had 1.8 million farmers, of whom more than 70 percent were female, and had applied SRI in the total area of 366.951 ha.

 

Over recent years, Vietnam has made significant progress in agriculture. However, small-scale farmers in rural areas, although they play an important role in the development process, still face many difficulties in life, both in terms of support policy and farming methods.

 

Ms Nguyen Thi Le Hoa suggested that it’s inadvisable to pool all investment in industrialised agricultural production, considering the environmental, economic and social consequences this method of production might cause. Meanwhile, investment in eco-agriculture in Vietnam would bring efficiency and sustainability.

 

Oxfam's report recommended that the government create policies to promote eco-agriculture such as: ensuring the participation rights of smallholder farmers in the determination of agricultural policies and investments; developing policies to encourage the promotion of eco-agricultural activities; promoting research from the grassroots level conducted by the farmers themselves.