Developing climate resilient agricultural practices in the Caribbean. by Leslie A. Simpson PhD Natural Resources Management Specialist

Transcription

1 Developing climate resilient agricultural practices in the Caribbean by Leslie A. Simpson PhD Natural Resources Management Specialist

2 Introduction Over the last ten and more years the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) in collaboration with National, Regional and International agencies has been working to ensure agricultural producers in the Region can adapt to climate change. Agriculture is also a significant contributor to carbon emissions and climate change, therefore the efforts of CARDI are also geared towards promoting the implementation of practices which reduces its carbon footprint and possibly providing income to the sector in relation to carbon trading.

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

4 Mitigation related activities for climate smart agriculture Reduce agricultural emissions through use of non-synthetic 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 o Integrated crop/livestock production systems o Increased use of organic manures o Use of biochar

5 SOME PAST, CURRENT AND PROPOSED PROJECTS

6 CTA/CARDI - Climate Smart Agriculture policies CTA has been a key partner in CARDI s work in Climate Change and Agriculture, particularly in developing the technical strategies and accompanying policies to achieve the needed climate resilience in various aspects of the agricultural portfolio. Over the past 5Years CARDI/CTA have hosted the following workshops: In Climate change and agriculture in the Caribbean: Protected Agriculture An adaptation option. In Climate Change adaptation in Caribbean agriculture - Enhancing water resources management. In Development of climate smart agriculture policies that focus on the conservation, sharing and utilization of key agro-biodiversity resources. In Improving the policy framework for developing climate change resilient agriculture systems in the Caribbean: Combating the threat of pest outbreaks under climate variability and change In Improving Climate Change Resilience in the Small Ruminants and Fisheries Industries in the Caribbean

7 Caribbean Agro-Meteorological Initiative (CAMI) Project The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) in partnership with the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of ten Caribbean member States Received a grant of over 700,000 EUR from the Organisation of African Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) Science and Technology (S&T) Fund to provide training and information to agricultural stakeholders in the region. The ten Caribbean member States are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, StVincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.

8 Activities of the CAMI Project Training in the following climate related fields: Early warning systems Seasonal climate forecast Climate /Pest and disease modelling and forecasting Crop modelling and irrigation scheduling Farmers Forums

9 Results of the CAMI Project At least one agro-meteorologist training in each of the participating countries More timely and informative weather and climate information available to farmers through AgroMet Bulletins on-line Forecasts etc. A means of farmer participation in weather and climate discussions through tripartite committees and climate services groups in many participating countries. See: Final.pdf

10 Post-CAMI Activities Participation in the Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) from Building Regional Climate Capacity in the Caribbean (BRCCC) Programme producing increasing numbers of climate products

11 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 agroecological zones for the study. Result of study: Successful Parameterization of a Crop Model for Caribbean varieties of Sweet Potato. The Incorporation and Parameterization of Sweet Potato into the FAO AquaCrop model. A general conclusion that sweet potato is expected to perform better under future climates.

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

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

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

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

16 Development of alternative livelihoods in agriculture Aquaponics: A closed growing system combining aquaculture with hydroponics, supplied with harvested rainwater During 2011 developed a CARDI/INMED/US AID collaborative project in Jamaica

17 World Bank Risk Training Programme Under contract with the World Bank CARDI designed on-line training materials on Agricultural Practices to Mitigate Risks in Small Holders Agricultural Production in the Caribbean Region. Three broad categories of risk considered were: Weather risks Pests and diseases risks Food safety hazards The material was also used at a trainthe-trainers workshop in St Lucia for agricultural extension agents and farmers representatives in the Caribbean in late November See: ontent/world-banks-caribbean-smallholderfarmer-course

18 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

19 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

20 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

21 Components of the crop/ Livestock integration system

22 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

23 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%.

24 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.

25 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

26 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.

27 Offices in 12 Member States

28 THANK YOU