Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture for Food Security in the Caribbean

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1 The University of the West Indies, Mona Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social & Economic Studies 50/50 Conference on Globalization, Climate Change and Rural Resilience The Challenge of Sustainable Development in the Caribbean and Beyond MAY 9-11, 2012, Kingston, Jamaica Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture for Food Security in the Caribbean by Leslie A. Simpson Ph.D Natural Resources Management Specialist, CARDI, Jamaica Unit

2 Importance of agriculture in the Region The Caribbean agricultural sector is pivotal to the attainment of food and nutrition security by providing safe, nutritious foods for its people. Agricultural development is also essential in: improving intra-regional trade in food and agricultural products, boosting export earnings, creating employment and the development of rural communities. BUT CARICOM (excluding Haiti) 2008 annual food import bill = US$3.5 billion, Jamaica s share = US1.6 billion (CARICOM 2010) 8.3 million undernourished people in Caribbean, 23% of total population (FAO estimate )

3 Present challenges to regional agriculture Regional agriculture is challenged by: low agricultural productivity the increasing impact of climate change changes in global food trade systems Combined, these pose a serious threat to the achievement of food security in the region

4 Climate related challenges The IPCC Special report (2012) indicates there is need for more research in the Region but concludes: there is medium confidence of observed increases in warm days and nights and decreases in cold days and nights for the period 1951 to there is medium confidence in the projected temperature increases. there is insufficient evidence to assess observed and projected rainfall trends. the very likely contribution of mean sea level rise to increased extreme sea levels, coupled with the likely increase in tropical cyclone maximum wind speed, is a specific issue for tropical small island states.

5 What is to be done? The Jagdeo Initiative - Strengthening Agriculture for Sustainable Development Draft Community Agricultural Policy CARICOM (CAP) 2011 Regional Food and Nutrition Security Policy (RFNSP) Draft Regional Food and Nutrition Security Action Plan (RFNSAP) 2011 Delivering transformational change Implementing the CARICOM Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change

6 What is CARDI doing? CARDI is promoting climate smart agriculture through the use of science and technology to help producers to sustain high levels of food production through knowledge transfer and appropriate technology interventions.

7 What is climate smart agriculture? Climate smart agriculture refers to the adoption of farming practices which allow producers to adapt to the challenges which will come with climate change and so reduce their vulnerability while reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and/or increasing the storage of carbon in the soil. (CTA, 2011)

8 Adaptation related activities in climate smart agriculture Improved germplasm of food and forage crops Enhanced soil water management systems Protected agricultural systems Improved on-farm water management systems Enhanced climate risk management Development of alternative livelihoods in agriculture Training of small farmers

9 Flood tolerant Rice and Dasheen varieties As a result of extreme flooding in 2005, Guyana is now growing a flood tolerant variety of rice which survives complete submergence for up to 17 days. Dasheen: A moisture loving tuber-bearing crop that can also tolerate flooding.

10 Assessing of sweet potato varieties in Jamaica To assess drought tolerance in root and tuber crops through innovative technology using Sweet Potatoes, (Ipomoea batatas) as the test crop The three project sites; Devon, Manchester, Bodles Research Station, St Catherine and Passley Gardens, Portland provide very contrasting agro-ecological zones for the study.

11 Soil Water Conservation systems This includes live mulches as well as straw mulches and plastic mulches

12 Increased use of Trickle irrigation Uniform water distribution Efficient water use Easy installation, operation and maintenance Possibility of fertigation Decreases risk to drought

13 Improved on-farm water management systems Use of heavy duty pond liners Solar pumps Black plastic tanks

14 Protected agricultural systems Modification of the natural environment to achieve controlled or improved plant growth Benefits High yields (quality & quantity) Increased profit margin

15 Development of alternative livelihoods in agriculture Aquaponics: A closed growing system combining aquaculture with hydroponics, supplied with harvested rainwater CARDI/INMED/USAID collaborative project in Jamaica

16 Enhanced Climate Risk Management Activities of the Caribbean Agrometeorology Initiative (CAMI) Project Early warning systems Seasonal climate forecast Climate /Pest and disease modelling and forecasting Farmers Forums ent=precipoutlook&sub=discussion

17 Training of Small Farmers A training course on the World Bank Risk training portal Risk Mitigation for Smallholder Agricultural Production in the Caribbean See: ining.org/

18 Mitigation related activities for climate smart agriculture Reduce agricultural emissions through use of nonsynthetic products: Integrated Plant Nutrient Systems (IPNS) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems Offset emissions from other sectors by removing CO 2 from the atmosphere storing carbon in soils Integrated crop/livestock production systems Increased use of organic manures Use of biochar Reduce emissions in other sectors by displacing fossil fuels with bio-fuels

19 Integrated Plant Nutrition Systems IPNS - maintain or adjust soil fertility and plant nutrient supply to achieve a given level of crop production by optimizing the benefits from all possible sources of plant nutrients. DEBIT CREDIT Source Input (lb/acre) Source Input (lb/acre) Material Amount (lb) N P 2 O 5 K 2 O Material Amount (lb) N P 2 O 5 K 2 O Cow manure 8, Cabbage 40, Urea Soil Increase M/P Total

20 IPNS utilizes technology to enhance the use of organic nutrients in the soil Use of green manures Use of fast growing legume crops during the inter-crop period Return plant and animal waste to the soil Reduce tillage systems which leave crop residues on the soil surface

21 Crop/Livestock integration system being demonstrated on reclaimed bauxite soils Mulch Vegetable Cropping System Tree Crop System Crop Residue Compost (Thermophilic and Vermi-compost) Forages (Grasses and Legumes Manure Goat Production System

22 Components of the crop/livestock integration system

23 Integrated pest management using trapping, exclusion and biological control Sticky traps control flying insects Pheromone traps control sweet potato weevil Exclusion of major pests in cabbage using a row cover with 70% light transmission Biological control of the brown citrus aphid by ladybird beetles

24 Low Cost Exclusion Structure Low-cost structures suited for growing traditional crops of the Caribbean Amaranthus sp (callaloo) cultivated under protected structure. Investment: US$2, m 2 (US$7.40 per sqm). Net profit as a percentage of revenue represents ~36.7%.

25 Integrated pest management using beneficial plants in the ecosystem Use a beneficial plant garden which attracts and increases the persistence of biological control agents within the cropping area. Several herbs and spices plants are useful e.g. Basil, Cilantro, Lantana, Marigold, Peppermint, Rosemary.

26 Soil Carbon Sequestration To be achieved through the promotion of: Reduced soil tillage The use of organic manures and amendments Alley cropping systems Use of biochar

27 Alley Cropping in Guyana

28 Biochar production and use Biochar - from the carbonisation of biomass. Biochar when added to soils it improves agricultural soil functions and reduces emissions from biomass that would otherwise naturally degrade to greenhouse gases.

29 Bio-fuel study in Jamaica Assessing the adaptability to reclaimed bauxite lands conditions and the productivity of vegetable oil to be converted to biodiesel of five castor bean and two Jatropha varieties.

30 In conclusion If agriculture is to be part of the solution to climate change, and at the same time continue to contribute to food security and poverty alleviation, there will need to be an increased adoption of some of technologies demonstrated This will require a significant increase in investment to the sector in climate-smart agricultural policies and practices. Agriculture should be eligible for support from existing and future climate-change financing mechanisms. Among other things, these mechanisms could reward farmers for adopting practices that generate multiple benefits for food security, development and climate change. Measures should be also taken to ensure that smallholders can benefit from carbon markets and the CDM. Farmers could be rewarded for adopting practices that generate multiple benefits

31 Thank You