Global demand for avocados has increased significantly over the past two decades due to their growing popularity as a healthy food.

Avocado production has substantially grown, with Mexico, Kenya, and Peru emerging as major producers.

Avocado production has raised concerns about deforestation, soil erosion, and water scarcity.

Michoacán, which produces around 80% of the world's avocados, has suffered severe environmental damage, including deforestation and water contamination.

Producing one kilogram of avocado consumes around 1,000 liters of water, exceeding that of tomatoes or oranges.

Avocado cultivation has led to the displacement of indigenous communities and exploitation of migrant workers.

The avocado industry has significantly impacted local farming communities, causing land grabbing, displacement, labor exploitation, and food insecurity.

Annual avocado exports from Michoacan to the US are valued at approximately $3 billion.

Avocado production growth has complex social implications for local farming communities, requiring a balanced approach to economic, environmental, and social impacts.

Climate change is expected to reduce the global avocado harvest by 41% by 2050, emphasizing the need for sustainable farming practices.

Avocado farming can contribute to water security if done sustainably with measures like preserving water catchment areas and collecting rainfall.

Governments can promote sustainable avocado farming to reduce environmental impact.

Avocado production has high water use, potentially causing water scarcity and aquifer depletion.

Avocado transport generates around 5.4 kg of CO2 emissions per kg of avocado.

Avocado cultivation is vulnerable to climate change, which is expected to decline its productivity in major farming regions.

Climate change is expected to reduce the global area suitable for growing avocados by 14-41% by mid-century.

Kakuzi has implemented sustainable agricultural practices to improve soil health and reduce the environmental impact of avocado farming.

Certification schemes like Fairtrade and Global G.A.P. promote sustainability and equity in the avocado industry.

The global trade agenda is shifting to prioritize values like climate action and sustainability, impacting the avocado industry.

Investing in irrigation and green technology can help mitigate drought impacts on avocado farming, as seen in countries like Israel, Australia, and the UK.

Governments, companies, and consumers can drive sustainable avocado farming by prioritizing quality, sustainability, and traceability.

Avocado production growth has significant economic implications for local farming communities, offering increased income and international market access.

Consumers can support sustainable avocado farming by buying from environmentally friendly companies.

Companies adopting sustainable practices can receive incentives like funding, such as Tova Farms' $950,000 Series A round.

Governments can drive sustainable avocado farming by supporting the industry through policy and trade agreements.

The global avocado market has increased substantially over the last two decades, creating opportunities for sustainable practices.

Avocado farming is vulnerable to climate change, which negatively impacts production due to its high water requirements.

Mexico, the world's largest avocado producer, may see a 31% decline in cultivated areas by 2050 due to climate change.

Kakuzi has implemented sustainable irrigation practices using 19 dams to collect rainfall.

The company preserves water catchment fields to prevent soil erosion, bush clearance, and overgrazing.

Sustainable avocado farming practices avoid sensitive ecosystems and fragile water sources.

Investing in irrigation and green technology can help mitigate drought impacts on superfood production.

San Diego County's avocado production is declining due to climate change and rising costs.

Avocado production dropped from four to two tons per acre from 2020 to 2021, amid rising water rates and declining water quality.

Agriculture, the most water-demanding sector, has led to the development of innovative practices like organic, smart, vertical, and renewable agriculture worldwide.

The UAE is a leader in sustainable agriculture, producing more with fewer resources.

Governments can promote sustainable agriculture through subsidies, testing, and education, as in Hualien County.

Companies can adopt sustainable practices like using organic materials and reducing emissions to support environmental sustainability.

Consumers can support sustainable agriculture by choosing organic products and participating in local markets.

Africa's agricultural sector significantly contributes to economic development, supporting about 60% of the population.

In Ghana, women make up 52% of the agricultural labor force, producing 70% of the food crops, but benefit the least economically.

Rural women and youth in Ghana face challenges including limited land access and high agricultural costs.

Collaborative efforts can secure land for rural women and youth, reducing urban migration and unemployment.

Financial empowerment can enhance sustainable farming practices for rural women and youth.

Government-backed venture capital funds can revitalize rural economies and boost export capabilities.

Governments, companies, and consumers can drive sustainable practices by promoting water conservation.

Mandatory water efficiency labelling can help simplify consumer choices and promote a sustainable future.

Innovations like smart water meters can facilitate widespread adoption of water-saving practices.

A circular economy mindset can help address water security challenges by reusing water and reducing freshwater withdrawals.

The adoption of AgTech among farmers has been slow due to concerns over ROI, ease of use, costs, and data sharing.

Europe leads in AgTech adoption, with 62% of farmers using or planning to use the technology within two years.

Government-sponsored programs drive sustainability adoption, with around 40% of farmers participating.

Addressing farmers' needs through a personalized interface can boost confidence in AgTech.

Renewing trust in data sharing is critical, as farmers are skeptical due to a lack of understanding of its use.

Natural resources are being depleted faster than they can be replaced, making sustainability crucial.

Sustainability involves using natural resources responsibly to support present and future generations.

Reducing pollution and conserving resources can help mitigate environmental degradation's harm to human health.

Non-renewable resources like fossil fuels contribute to pollution and climate change.

Protecting natural habitats is essential for preserving ecosystems that provide clean water, air, and support human health.

Sustainable agriculture practices can benefit the environment and support human health.

Reducing water use and chemical use are two sustainable practices with potential trade-offs, such as increased chemical use for pest control when water use is reduced.

High external input agriculture can lead to environmental degradation, resource depletion, and economic unsustainability.

Low external input agriculture is environmentally friendly, but may not meet a growing population's food needs.

Conservation tillage, integrated pest management, and precision farming are sustainable practices that reduce energy use and environmental impact.

Drip irrigation, mulching, and efficient pumps conserve water and energy.

Integrated pest management reduces chemical use, pollution, and promotes biodiversity.

Polyculture, crop rotation, and mixed cropping can improve ecosystem services and reduce soil erosion.

The Water Catchment Partnership promotes best practice in using Plant Protection Products to reduce water pollution risk.

Efficient water management can reduce costs, increase crop yields, and maximize farm profits.

Sustainable water management helps mitigate climate change and water scarcity impacts on agriculture.

Rising temperatures can degrade soil quality and reduce arable land, making sustainable agriculture crucial.

Climate change affects agricultural areas, but sustainable practices and water conservation can improve sustainability.

Adapting plant varieties to changing conditions can help mitigate climate change's effects on agriculture.

Using heat-tolerant and drought-resistant varieties can help adapt to climate change.

Modern technologies and strategies can help agriculture overcome climate change challenges.

The EU's Green Deal brings opportunities and challenges to agriculture, requiring a balanced approach to sustainability.

A collaborative approach is crucial for crafting a sustainable agricultural model that aligns with the EU's environmental and economic aspirations.

Fairtrade certification can improve farmers' economic, social, and environmental wellbeing.

Fairtrade certification can lead to good governance and increased incomes for farmers, such as the 50% higher earnings of Fairtrade-certified coffee farmers in Peru's La Florida co-op.

Certification schemes like Fair Farms promote sustainability and equity by recognizing ethical growers.

The Australian government granted $3.2 million to Growcom to support the Fair Farms program.

GLC Cerritos LLC has implemented a responsible recruiting initiative and aims to inspire sustainable agribusiness.

The General Authority for Irrigation uses Aquaponics to support smallholder farmers in adopting sustainable farming practices.

The Soydara Model Farm has achieved organic production certification.

Aquaponics farming conserves resources, improves crop quality, and increases productivity, key aspects of sustainable agriculture.

Global demand for avocados has increased significantly over the past two decades due to their growing popularity as a healthy food.

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Mike Coudrey’s Tova Farms Raises Nearly $1 Million In Funding, Adds Strategic Export Partners

·2 min read

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 17, 2022 / Tova Farms said Monday it raised $950,000 in a Series A funding round that values the agricultural company at approximately $1.4 million - nearly triple its last reported valuation in 2021, according to PitchBook data. The Puerto Rico-based company, known for its innovative investment strategy, has now raised nearly $1.2 million to date.

Tova Sustainable Farms CEO, Michael Coudrey

Avocado agriculture is a billion-dollar industry that's failed to move with the speed of the 21st century, long reliant on outdated supply chain management, inadequate commercial operations in jurisdictions nearby to the target market, and import/export phytosanitary regulation that act as a blockade for international trade. Numerous challenges - from congestion at ports to shortages of shipping containers - have arisen throughout the pandemic, leading to higher produce costs and delivery delays, and magnifying how critical the often-taken-for-granted agricultural industry is more broadly.

Tova Farm's commercial farming operations exceed 5000 acres, and their additional local sourcing methodology positions them as a multinational powerhouse in the global avocado industry. Tova's innovative approaches to local sourcing in cost-effective jurisdictions, policy and trade agreement brokering between governments, and its influential political arm allow it to rapidly expand its operations, while also moving the market in a positive direction for smaller agricultural companies, giving them an opportunity to take advantage of the openings in international trade.

In the past year, founder and CEO Michael Coudrey has focused on questions like how can avocado be produced and exported in the most cost effective manner - the company has recently signed export agreements with leading European firms.

"The avocado market has increased substantially in the last two decades, and our company seeks to capitalize and control a large market share of such revenues, as well as vertically integrate across our supply chains," Coudrey said in a statement announcing the funding. "This investment signals that the market recognizes the need for a tech-enabled agricultural ecosystem that has the visibility and resilience to handle unexpected challenges of any scale."

Tova Sustainable Farms has more than 5000 acres of commercial farmland and export partners in 6 countries, and reportedly doubled its commercial operations within the last year. With fresh financing, the company says it plans to begin expanding into new markets and accelerate the development of its current operations.

CONTACT:
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SOURCE: Tova Farms

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/688502/Mike-Coudreys-Tova-Farms-Raises-Nearly-1-Million-In-Funding-Adds-Strategic-Export-Partners

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

Avocado production has substantially grown, with Mexico, Kenya, and Peru emerging as major producers.

Title:

Content: Avocado: Between Environmental Impacts and Global Market Controllers
In the Mexican state of Michoacán, which produces about 80% of the world ’ s avocado, avocado cultivation has depleted local water supplies and caused severe environmental damage, with studies showing that avocado cultivation has led to deforestation, soil erosion and chemical contamination of water sources.
(Getty)
In recent years, the avocado industry has become a staple in many diets around the world, and its popularity has increased greatly due to the multiple health benefits.
However, the demand for this fruit has led to harmful environmental effects and the emergence of a mafia that controls the production and distribution of avocados in some countries.
A Chilean study published recently said that avocado cultivation has caused severe water shortages, as well as in Peru, where large farmers have dominated the avocado market since the 1990s, where cultivation requires huge amounts of water, the production of one kilogram of avocado, consumes about 1,000 liters of water, much more than other crops such as tomatoes or oranges.
According to a report by the Water Footprint Network, the production of one kilogram of tomatoes requires about 300 liters of water, and the high water use of avocado production has led to water scarcity and depletion of aquifers in some areas.
In the Mexican state of Michoacán, which produces about 80% of the world ’ s avocado, avocado cultivation has depleted local water supplies and caused severe environmental damage, with studies showing that avocado cultivation has led to deforestation, soil erosion and chemical contamination of water sources.
According to the report, moving avocados from the production site to the market also has a significant impact on the climate, as avocados are grown mainly in developing countries, and are exported to developed countries such as the United States, Europe and Japan, and the transport of avocados over long distances contributes to greenhouse gas emissions harmful to the environment. Approximately 5.4 kg of carbon dioxide emissions per kg of avocado.
Avocado production has also led to the emergence of a mafia that controls the production and distribution of avocados in some countries, where the avocado mafia operates mainly in Mexico, where it controls the production and export of avocados, and this mafia, according to media reports, consists of criminal organizations that use violence and intimidation to control the production and distribution of avocados, and often extort money from farmers. The avocado mafia uses violence to eliminate competitors and dominate the export market, as studies have shown that these gangs are responsible for deforestation, land grabbing and violence against indigenous communities in Mexico.
According to dozens of studies published in recent years, avocado cultivation also has negative effects on local communities. In some areas, demand for avocados has led to land grabbing, community displacement, labor exploitation, and avocado cultivation in the Mexican state of Michoacán has led to the displacement of indigenous communities and the exploitation of often paid migrant workers. Some studies have shown that the expansion of avocado cultivation has displaced traditional crops, leading to food insecurity and loss of biodiversity.
According to the study, governments around the world can take various measures to mitigate the impact of this agriculture on the climate, and one way is to promote sustainable avocado farming practices that reduce water use and reduce the use of chemicals. Protect the environment, provide financial incentives to farmers and enact laws that will deter illegal and criminal practices in these countries.

Avocado production has raised concerns about deforestation, soil erosion, and water scarcity.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

Michoacán, which produces around 80% of the world's avocados, has suffered severe environmental damage, including deforestation and water contamination.

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

Producing one kilogram of avocado consumes around 1,000 liters of water, exceeding that of tomatoes or oranges.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

Avocado cultivation has led to the displacement of indigenous communities and exploitation of migrant workers.

What illegal activities have surfaced in avocado trade in recent years?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

land grabbing
displacement of local communities
labor exploitation

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

The avocado industry has significantly impacted local farming communities, causing land grabbing, displacement, labor exploitation, and food insecurity.

What illegal activities have surfaced in avocado trade in recent years?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

land grabbing
displacement of local communities
labor exploitation

Annual avocado exports from Michoacan to the US are valued at approximately $3 billion.

Title:

Content: Following the imposition of a temporary ban on the importation of avocados from Mexico, the United States has lifted the ban, and importation of the fruit resumes on Monday. The ban was placed on Friday, February 11, after a US fruit inspector working in the fields of Michoacan in Mexico was verbally abused and threatened with death.

The US government said the safety of Americans working in other countries is very paramount and that the Mexican government cooperated fully to resolve the crisis and ensure the safety of service personnel operating in Mexico.

“The safety of USDA employees simply doing their jobs is of paramount importance,” the US Department of Agriculture said. “USDA is appreciative of the positive, collaborative relationship between the United States and Mexico that made resolution of this issue possible in a timely manner.”

Michoacan exports 80% of its avocado production to the United States and is the only region approved by the US to export the fruit to America. Annual exports come close to $3 billion and an avocado exported into the US now costs an average of $1.43, an increase of 11% above its price in 2021.

The Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers said a security department will be set up to facilitate the export of the fruit to the United States. The specifics of the plan were not released by the association representing 29,000 avocado farmers as well as 65 packing centers in Mexico.

“With this decision, we ensure the export of the fruit and give economic certainty to farmers and laborers,” said Michoacan state governor Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla who expressed joy that the ban was lifted.

The lifting of sanctions allays fears that avocados would not be available for the Super Bowl event and the Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the United States.

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

Avocado production growth has complex social implications for local farming communities, requiring a balanced approach to economic, environmental, and social impacts.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

Climate change is expected to reduce the global avocado harvest by 41% by 2050, emphasizing the need for sustainable farming practices.

Title:

Content: By 2050, avocados will begin to disappear on Earth: prices for the rest will soar to the skies
Researchers have found that the amount of one of the most popular fruits on the planet could be significantly reduced by the middle of the century.
Related video
Bad news for millennials and other avocado toast aficionados: the world-famous fruit is in jeopardy.
Scientists believe that by the middle of the century in the best regions of the world, the growth of the avocado harvest can be reduced by an incredible 41%, writes the Daily Mail.
Avocado is a superproduct, but is also known for its environmental impact due to the need for plenty of water during growth.
As a result, the cultivation of the fruit was threatened in the climate crisis due to climate change, which hit our planet.
Focus's.
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Scientists predict that by 2050, the amount of the crop could be reduced by more than 40% due to the vulnerability of the fruit in a hotter, drier and more prone to drought world.
This is stated in a new report by the London-based charity Christian Aid.
According to Mariana Paoli, head of global advocacy at Christian Aid, avocado may be a superfood, but its kryptonite is climate change.
This fruit is one of the most popular and useful in the world, but it is not suitable for a hot and drought-prone climate.
Alas, this climate is exactly where we are heading in the climate crisis.
Note that avocado is nutritious, contains useful fats, vitamins and minerals necessary for human health.
The fruit also contains a large amount of fiber and vitamins, and therefore is often considered as the main source of nutrition.
Moreover, today scientists are actively studying avocados for potential activity against diseases, including cancer.
However, scientists recognize that if humanity fails to stop or slow down climate change, the planet will experience periods of prolonged heat.
In this case, it will be difficult for the trees to grow and tie the fruits.
As a result, the world will lose almost half of today ’ s avocado crop.
In addition, some of the world ’ s most productive avocado regions will shrink simply because the land will become too arid.
The study also says that avocados are not the only product that will suffer as a result of climate change.
The authors of the report also argue that products such as coffee and cashews will be in a vulnerable position.
According to the report, by the middle of the century, the area suitable for growing avocados will be reduced by 14-41% worldwide.
At the same time, a key region in the world in Mexico could lose 59% of the land suitable for growing avocados, even if the global average temperature remains below 2 ° C compared to pre-industrial levels.
Previously, Focus wrote that the superfood of tomorrow can be a very poisonous plant.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Avocado farming can contribute to water security if done sustainably with measures like preserving water catchment areas and collecting rainfall.

Title:

Content: Sustainable farming holds the key to economic prosperity

Agriculture holds the key to economic transformation for Kenya and the East African region. However, the challenge lies in practising sustainable agriculture to unlock its true value from food production to agro-processing.

As the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) takes place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, as a region and human race, we have many challenges ahead.

Some, are brought on by climate change, population pressure and political or financial instability within our economic and geopolitical space. Still, as a country and region, we have many unique advantages including political goodwill which, if used wisely, will allow us to build a robust agricultural economy.

Let me start by dealing with a favourite topic of mine, irrigation and water security. At Kakuzi, we have 19 dams which collect rainfall - allowing us to use the water for irrigation during dry season.

The critical part of our water security is not just the dam but the catchment itself.

If we don’t preserve the water catchment fields, our dams won’t fill with water, or they could silt up. In short, sustainable and secure irrigation requires that we sacrifice something, in this case, acres and acres of land, which act as water catchment areas.

These fields are preserved with natural habitat and managed to avoid soil erosion, bush clearance or overgrazing. In these fields, we must overcome the temptation to dig up the land and plant crops.

The next key challenge for agriculture after water is energy and not just the cost but also availability. In Kenya, our key export crop of tea requires energy to turn it from lush green leaves to dry tea; bear in mind that 4.5 kilos of green leaf converts to 1 kilo of black tea as the rest is water.  As we encourage farmers to grow more green tea leaves, we must also consider how to dry leaves.

-Chris Flowers is the Kakuzi Managing Director.

In every tea-growing country, the energy for drying tea is a significant issue, whether it’s coal in India, gas in Bangladesh or fuel wood for us in East and Central Africa. Engineers have calculated the energy required, and it’s staggering. We must find sustainable solutions for this, as it’s not an easy or quick fix.

We all know the impact of energy prices on fertiliser, which is just another reason why we need to minimise our use wherever we can. Composting and mulching at Kakuzi to improve soil health and enhance soil fertility is a crucial component of our agricultural practices. Given that only 10 per cent of a macadamia nut is the edible kernel, a lot of biomass is available for conversion to energy or compost.

Teaching farmers sustainable agricultural techniques and when to apply different nutrients and in what quantities is part of what we do. Our online avocado academy ‘Kakuzi Avocademy’ is designed as an e-learning portal for farmers. Through the e-learning platform, we strive to advance shared prosperity values allowing smallholder farmers to learn and make the best crop husbandry decisions.

For many years now, I have been saying that we must explain how farmers can sell their fruit for the best value before we can tell them to plant an avocado tree.

Unfortunately, the fact is that the supply-demand equation for a perishable product such as avocados is a reality. Produce a product with limited marketability in a period of oversupply at your peril. This is precisely what happened in the avocado market earlier this year.

An oversupply of fruit in Europe through large Peruvian shipments and late European and North African production meant minimal marketing options for Kenyan smallholder fruit.

As I mentioned above, discerning customers choosing to eat a superfood such as macadamia or avocado want to know what they are eating and how it was produced. This is not because good Kenyan fruit is of substandard quality but simply because a lot of fruit from the country doesn’t have traceability credentials. If we as producers cannot demonstrate these traceability credentials, then high-value markets are limited and becoming more so.

We should also avoid the trap of thinking that emerging markets in the far east are less stringent than our traditional European markets. Sending substandard fruit to an emerging market can only depress demand, not enhance it.

Further up in the Rift Valley in the tea fields of Nandi and beyond, agricultural interest, mainly crop diversification, is also rising. The number of people seeking advice on avocado and macadamia potential in the region predominantly known for tea is growing.

Undoubtedly, this is the best time to get on the agribusiness side of things. As the name suggests, agribusiness means agricultural production for consumption and sale to raise much-needed financial resources. Like any other business, Agri-preneurs must carefully consider profit and loss fundamentals.

Considering profit and loss means engaging the investing community in the agricultural space to appreciate the role of credit access, mechanisation, technology and human resource management for efficiency.

Having been on the agricultural front my entire life, I can attest to this field-based industry’s value and potential to power rapid economic transformation. Kakuzi is an example of a leading agribusiness firm involved in commercial agricultural endeavours, including livestock rearing and agroforestry beyond our renowned avocado and macadamia production.

In Kenya, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda 2022 - 2027 rightly notes that the agricultural sector has the highest growth multiplier effect on other economic sectors due to strong backward and forward linkages. There can be no denying that agriculture is our most globally competitive sector but getting it right is complex. Patience, long-term thinking and getting the fundamentals of sustainability, quality and traceability correct is the key.

Sometimes numbers tell the value of an agricultural enterprise better. For example, last year, notwithstanding the challenges of an “OFF” year cycle, Kakuzi PLC exported  Sh94 million worth of HASS avocados for our smallholder farmers. The previous ON-year cycle had seen us ship HASS Avocado cartons worth Sh152. 2 million for smallholder farmers.

In this venture geared at supporting smallholder farmers access quality international markets, we made payouts amounting to more than Sh31.4 million for the smallholder farmers from Kakuzi’s local community in Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Meru and Trans-Nzoia counties.

This is but one of the proof points that agribusiness is a viable economic avenue that can empower our farmers if we do it correctly.

However, we must remain alive to the vagaries of climate change as a risk factor to agricultural production and work towards building resilience.

Chris Flowers is the Kakuzi Managing Director.

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What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Governments can promote sustainable avocado farming to reduce environmental impact.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Avocado production has high water use, potentially causing water scarcity and aquifer depletion.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

Avocado transport generates around 5.4 kg of CO2 emissions per kg of avocado.

Avocado cultivation is vulnerable to climate change, which is expected to decline its productivity in major farming regions.

Title:

Content: Lifestyle
Study: Climate change threatens avocados
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• 2 / 2
Thank you for reading about the study: Climate change threatens avocados and now we start with the details
Activists have called for more support for avocado farmers, with a study released by the international charity Christian Aid (Christian Aid) revealing that climate change is having a “terrible impact ” on fruit.
The highly useful and popular fruit, which is high in fiber and healthy fats, requires a lot of water to grow, making it particularly vulnerable in a hotter, drier world.
A study by FAO showed that the best farming regions in countries such as Burundi, Chile, Peru, Spain, South Africa and Mexico are experiencing declines in productivity due to more volatile conditions.
The study, published yesterday, showed that these regions are expected to decline by between 14% and 41% by 2050, depending on how quickly emissions are reduced in the world.
Mexico, the world ’ s largest producer of avocado, could see a 31% decline in cultivated areas by 2050.
Christian Aid called on governments to commit to urgently reducing emissions, accelerating the energy transition and committing to more climate aid for developing countries.
The charity also called for more financial support to vulnerable farming communities that rely on avocado cultivation for a living, so they can invest in mitigation measures.
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Climate change is expected to reduce the global area suitable for growing avocados by 14-41% by mid-century.

Kakuzi has implemented sustainable agricultural practices to improve soil health and reduce the environmental impact of avocado farming.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Certification schemes like Fairtrade and Global G.A.P. promote sustainability and equity in the avocado industry.

Title:

Content: GLC Cerritos LLC hires Sustainability Director Armando Garcia - FreshFruitPortal.com

GLC Cerritos LLC hires Sustainability Director Armando Garcia

Industry Announcements More News

PRESS RELEASE

In order to enhance its sustainability efforts, GLC Cerritos LLC, the leading Jalisco avocado grower-shipper, has hired Armando Garcia as Director of Sustainability.  This newly created position will evaluate current sustainability initiatives with in the company and define a strategy for future projects.  “Cerritos has shown a strong commitment for its sustainable development over the years, which makes it a very unique company within the Mexican Avocado sector; therefore, I am very excited to undertake this new position and work to strengthen Cerritos sustainability program” commented Garcia.

Mr. Garcia most recently worked as Managing Director of the Jalisco Avocado Growers and Exporters Association (APEAJAL), where he was originally hired to develop its sustainability department.  He introduced projects with Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization, the Business Alliance for Climate, Stronger Together, and has worked on the reforestation program, and other green initiatives that APEAJAL has sponsored.

“Cerritos is known throughout the industry for their sustainability efforts.  They strive to live up to their mission “To inspire agribusiness with sustainability by producing healthy food for the world”, said Garcia pointing to such projects as the responsible recruiting initiative with Stronger Together.  The company currently farms 3000 acres of avocados, all of which are certified by Global G.A.P. and Rainforest Alliance.   The company is currently working to securen Fair Trade certification inpreparation for the 2024/25 Mexico avocado season.

Owner Saul Medina mentioned that Armando will first to a deep dive into Cerritos’ current sustainability projects, including governance, human rights, labor and environmental standards.  From there he will develop a sustainability strategy to define how these projects will continue to evolve in the future, and which others will come to bring in sustainability’s full spectrum into the company.

US division president, Giovanni Cavaletto, welcomes Armando Garcia to the team stating  “There is so much good that the Mexican avocado industry brings to the communities where we work.  Mr. Garcia is a great addition to the team to help define our sustainability strategies and share the message of these efforts with the rest of the industry.”

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Title:

Content: New study finds Fairtrade enhances farmer resilience and sustainability

The research assessed Fairtrade’s contribution in terms of economic resilience, social wellbeing and good governance

Being part of a Fairtrade-certified producer organisation can improve farmers’ economic resilience, social wellbeing and environmental sustainability, according to a new study commissioned by Fairtrade Germany and Fairtrade Austria.

The study, Assessing the Impact of Fairtrade on Poverty Reduction and Economic Resilience through Rural Development, suggests that Fairtrade certification also leads to good governance in co-operatives.

And researchers found that Fairtrade standards, Fairtrade pricing, and producer support programmes positively impact certified farmers and their communities compared to non-Fairtrade certified farmers, particularly in times of difficulty and distress.

They examined the same producer organisations three times over 10 years, and studied the performance of a cocoa co-op in Ghana, a coffee co-op and three banana co-ops in Peru and found their farmers had higher earnings and more savings than those in comparable non-Fairtrade organisations. For example, coffee farmer members of the Fairtrade-certified La Florida co-op in Peru reported incomes 50% higher than those of non-Fairtrade farmers.

“In times of crisis, it becomes evident that Fairtrade enhances farmers’ economic resilience and supports them in continuing their profession in challenging times,” said Tatjana Mauthofer, researcher at Mainlevel Consulting and co-author of the study. “The study shows that the two Fairtrade mechanisms – the Minimum Price and the Premium – represent a crucial safety net for farmers, their small producer organisations and eventually, also their communities.”

The research assesses Fairtrade’s contribution in terms of economic resilience, social wellbeing, good governance and environmental integrity and builds on two previous studies (in 2012 and 2018) featuring the same Fairtrade-certified producer organisations.

The study makes several recommendations, including supporting product and income diversification to reduce farmers’ vulnerability and enhance their resilience; setting up credit schemes to enable farmers to modernise their farms; and providing training on financial literacy for coffee, cocoa and banana farmers.

In this article

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

The global trade agenda is shifting to prioritize values like climate action and sustainability, impacting the avocado industry.

Title:

Content: Columnists

Let’s aim at powering Kenya to top of global superfoods exports table

The global trade agenda is changing quickly from where product and price dominated the conversation to where a company’s values and purpose are intertwined and a big part of the decision to buy products.

In the international market, Kenya now takes its place as the largest avocado exporter in Africa.

Imports of Hass avocado into Europe alone last year were approximately 728,000 tonnes, and Kenyan exports accounted for 40,000 tonnes, about five percent.

But what’s our competitive advantage with other producing countries and why should consumers favour our products over others?

The world is demanding that businesses demonstrate values and purpose aligned to more than just products to climate action, sustainability, and quality agricultural practices and that we are good corporate citizens.

Despite the agricultural business complexities, we have many Kenyan companies doing the right thing and doing it well.

We need to publicise this well, whether we are the private sector, public sector, academia, or national branding agents.

This is how to explain what sets us apart. As superfood producers, we should not plant our crops in sensitive ecosystems and don’t abstract irrigation water from fragile water sources.

Firms need to invest heavily in irrigation and green technology-based systems to mitigate the worst impacts of drought.

Countries such as Israel, Australia, and the United Kingdom have done it.

Companies can build dams and fill them through natural runoff.

Still, superfood production is much more multi-dimensional than just water; it is also about being able to answer the call for climate action, amongst other vital topics.

In Kenya, we have a conducive environment to competitively and sustainably grow superfoods, including fruits and nuts such as Avocados, Macadamia, and blueberries, among others.

The superfoods bid may sound ambitious, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.

Still, we must be committed to undertaking this in a manner that enshrines the commitment to quality, sustainability and traceability.

Investing in irrigation and green technology can help mitigate drought impacts on avocado farming, as seen in countries like Israel, Australia, and the UK.

Title:

Content: Columnists

Let’s aim at powering Kenya to top of global superfoods exports table

The global trade agenda is changing quickly from where product and price dominated the conversation to where a company’s values and purpose are intertwined and a big part of the decision to buy products.

In the international market, Kenya now takes its place as the largest avocado exporter in Africa.

Imports of Hass avocado into Europe alone last year were approximately 728,000 tonnes, and Kenyan exports accounted for 40,000 tonnes, about five percent.

But what’s our competitive advantage with other producing countries and why should consumers favour our products over others?

The world is demanding that businesses demonstrate values and purpose aligned to more than just products to climate action, sustainability, and quality agricultural practices and that we are good corporate citizens.

Despite the agricultural business complexities, we have many Kenyan companies doing the right thing and doing it well.

We need to publicise this well, whether we are the private sector, public sector, academia, or national branding agents.

This is how to explain what sets us apart. As superfood producers, we should not plant our crops in sensitive ecosystems and don’t abstract irrigation water from fragile water sources.

Firms need to invest heavily in irrigation and green technology-based systems to mitigate the worst impacts of drought.

Countries such as Israel, Australia, and the United Kingdom have done it.

Companies can build dams and fill them through natural runoff.

Still, superfood production is much more multi-dimensional than just water; it is also about being able to answer the call for climate action, amongst other vital topics.

In Kenya, we have a conducive environment to competitively and sustainably grow superfoods, including fruits and nuts such as Avocados, Macadamia, and blueberries, among others.

The superfoods bid may sound ambitious, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.

Still, we must be committed to undertaking this in a manner that enshrines the commitment to quality, sustainability and traceability.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Governments, companies, and consumers can drive sustainable avocado farming by prioritizing quality, sustainability, and traceability.

Title:

Content: Columnists

Let’s aim at powering Kenya to top of global superfoods exports table

The global trade agenda is changing quickly from where product and price dominated the conversation to where a company’s values and purpose are intertwined and a big part of the decision to buy products.

In the international market, Kenya now takes its place as the largest avocado exporter in Africa.

Imports of Hass avocado into Europe alone last year were approximately 728,000 tonnes, and Kenyan exports accounted for 40,000 tonnes, about five percent.

But what’s our competitive advantage with other producing countries and why should consumers favour our products over others?

The world is demanding that businesses demonstrate values and purpose aligned to more than just products to climate action, sustainability, and quality agricultural practices and that we are good corporate citizens.

Despite the agricultural business complexities, we have many Kenyan companies doing the right thing and doing it well.

We need to publicise this well, whether we are the private sector, public sector, academia, or national branding agents.

This is how to explain what sets us apart. As superfood producers, we should not plant our crops in sensitive ecosystems and don’t abstract irrigation water from fragile water sources.

Firms need to invest heavily in irrigation and green technology-based systems to mitigate the worst impacts of drought.

Countries such as Israel, Australia, and the United Kingdom have done it.

Companies can build dams and fill them through natural runoff.

Still, superfood production is much more multi-dimensional than just water; it is also about being able to answer the call for climate action, amongst other vital topics.

In Kenya, we have a conducive environment to competitively and sustainably grow superfoods, including fruits and nuts such as Avocados, Macadamia, and blueberries, among others.

The superfoods bid may sound ambitious, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.

Still, we must be committed to undertaking this in a manner that enshrines the commitment to quality, sustainability and traceability.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Avocado production growth has significant economic implications for local farming communities, offering increased income and international market access.

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

Consumers can support sustainable avocado farming by buying from environmentally friendly companies.

Title:

Content: Columnists

Let’s aim at powering Kenya to top of global superfoods exports table

The global trade agenda is changing quickly from where product and price dominated the conversation to where a company’s values and purpose are intertwined and a big part of the decision to buy products.

In the international market, Kenya now takes its place as the largest avocado exporter in Africa.

Imports of Hass avocado into Europe alone last year were approximately 728,000 tonnes, and Kenyan exports accounted for 40,000 tonnes, about five percent.

But what’s our competitive advantage with other producing countries and why should consumers favour our products over others?

The world is demanding that businesses demonstrate values and purpose aligned to more than just products to climate action, sustainability, and quality agricultural practices and that we are good corporate citizens.

Despite the agricultural business complexities, we have many Kenyan companies doing the right thing and doing it well.

We need to publicise this well, whether we are the private sector, public sector, academia, or national branding agents.

This is how to explain what sets us apart. As superfood producers, we should not plant our crops in sensitive ecosystems and don’t abstract irrigation water from fragile water sources.

Firms need to invest heavily in irrigation and green technology-based systems to mitigate the worst impacts of drought.

Countries such as Israel, Australia, and the United Kingdom have done it.

Companies can build dams and fill them through natural runoff.

Still, superfood production is much more multi-dimensional than just water; it is also about being able to answer the call for climate action, amongst other vital topics.

In Kenya, we have a conducive environment to competitively and sustainably grow superfoods, including fruits and nuts such as Avocados, Macadamia, and blueberries, among others.

The superfoods bid may sound ambitious, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.

Still, we must be committed to undertaking this in a manner that enshrines the commitment to quality, sustainability and traceability.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Companies adopting sustainable practices can receive incentives like funding, such as Tova Farms' $950,000 Series A round.

Governments can drive sustainable avocado farming by supporting the industry through policy and trade agreements.

Title:

Content: Home Business & TechEconomy EU, The Netherlands to Support Construction of Horticulture Wholesale Market In Kigali

EU, The Netherlands to Support Construction of Horticulture Wholesale Market In Kigali

by Daniel Sabiiti
2:04 pm

Amparo Gonzalez Diez

The European Union (EU) in Rwanda has committed to improving the local horticulture value chain and revealed that there is a plan to open a new Kigali wholesale market which will be the largest in the East African region.

Amparo Gonzalez Diez, the EU First Secretary and Team Lead- Development, Environment, Climate, Biodiversity and Gender made the remarks this week on April 29, during the closure of a four-year project dubbed “Sustainable Livelihoods in Horticulture Value Chains” (HVC).

The project was implemented by Oxfam Rwanda in collaboration with three local implementing partners – (COCOF, DUHAMIC ADRI, and DUTERIMBERE ONG) from 2020- 2024 in four districts: Nyagatare, Kamonyi, Rulindo and Nyamagabe impacting on lives of over 21,000 smallholder farmers.

The project, which focused on 9 horticultural value chains, adopted an inclusive business approach, combining private sector development with inclusive growth objectives, to unlock the potential of Rwanda’s horticultural sector.

The nine crop value chains included Avocado, Passion fruit, Pineapple, eggplant, French beans, hot pepper, onions, tomatoes and flowers.

Godfrey Gakwandi

End projects results presented at the closure event showed that activities (skills and capacity building) reached over 21, 000 Rwandan rural farmers of which 53% were female (over 11,200) small holder farmers- with 4,100 of them in Nyagatare, Kamonyi- 7,649; Rulindo- 6, 254; and Nyamagabe- 3,409.

The project generally witnessed an increased productivity and responsiveness to climate change and market demand, enhanced returns for smallholder horticultural farmers, and access and capacity to meet market demands.

It also strengthened policy and regulatory frameworks to support smallholder farmers’ productivity, income, and marketing improvements.

As a way of sustaining the project impact, Diez said that the EU family, which has a portfolio of €380million, plans on supporting an inclusive resilient agricultural sector of which horticulture value chains are inclusive.

In this package, Diez revealed that there is the Kigali wholesale market, supported by the Netherlands, EU; but also the Government of Rwanda, which will be the first wholesale market in East Africa to be built in the special economic zone in Kigali.

“We do believe that this will increase volumes and quality particularly for horticulture value chains and will be a key development- a major milestone for rural farmers to be able to access more markets and increased revenues,” Diez stated.

Godfrey Gakwandi, an Oxfam Rwanda official who presented the project activities and end results said that there is sustainability especially banking on the skills and mindset change more results are expected in future.

“We have seen farmers adopting skills and technology in farming and learning innovative ways of farming and knowing the value of certification at the farm and market level,” Gakwandi said.

Sustainable Livelihoods in Horticulture Value Chains project beneficiaries and their products on display

Benefiting farmers stated that despite acquiring skills and capacity to increase and innovate in their farming activities, the project has been a booster to start addressing the challenge of accessing markets- one of their biggest hurdles.

Diez said that through the ongoing EU-funded Kungahara project to boost local production and consumption of healthy, sustainable, and nutritious food, they expect an exchange with Oxfam Rwanda so as to reach more farmers in the project which is now operational in 21 districts at a tune of €11million.

Egide Mutabazi, a Crop Products and Market Analyst who represented the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resource said that the government prioritizes agricultural value chain to increase production and asked partners to sustain this project by focusing on improving farmer’s mindset and skills development.

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What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

The global avocado market has increased substantially over the last two decades, creating opportunities for sustainable practices.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

How have avocado prices changed in recent years?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

Avocado farming is vulnerable to climate change, which negatively impacts production due to its high water requirements.

Title:

Content: Lifestyle
Study: Climate change threatens avocados
• 1 / 2
• 2 / 2
Thank you for reading about the study: Climate change threatens avocados and now we start with the details
Activists have called for more support for avocado farmers, with a study released by the international charity Christian Aid (Christian Aid) revealing that climate change is having a “terrible impact ” on fruit.
The highly useful and popular fruit, which is high in fiber and healthy fats, requires a lot of water to grow, making it particularly vulnerable in a hotter, drier world.
A study by FAO showed that the best farming regions in countries such as Burundi, Chile, Peru, Spain, South Africa and Mexico are experiencing declines in productivity due to more volatile conditions.
The study, published yesterday, showed that these regions are expected to decline by between 14% and 41% by 2050, depending on how quickly emissions are reduced in the world.
Mexico, the world ’ s largest producer of avocado, could see a 31% decline in cultivated areas by 2050.
Christian Aid called on governments to commit to urgently reducing emissions, accelerating the energy transition and committing to more climate aid for developing countries.
The charity also called for more financial support to vulnerable farming communities that rely on avocado cultivation for a living, so they can invest in mitigation measures.
Stay up to date with our latest local, sports, political and economic news via:
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pin Interest Whats App
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Mexico, the world's largest avocado producer, may see a 31% decline in cultivated areas by 2050 due to climate change.

Title:

Content: Lifestyle
Study: Climate change threatens avocados
• 1 / 2
• 2 / 2
Thank you for reading about the study: Climate change threatens avocados and now we start with the details
Activists have called for more support for avocado farmers, with a study released by the international charity Christian Aid (Christian Aid) revealing that climate change is having a “terrible impact ” on fruit.
The highly useful and popular fruit, which is high in fiber and healthy fats, requires a lot of water to grow, making it particularly vulnerable in a hotter, drier world.
A study by FAO showed that the best farming regions in countries such as Burundi, Chile, Peru, Spain, South Africa and Mexico are experiencing declines in productivity due to more volatile conditions.
The study, published yesterday, showed that these regions are expected to decline by between 14% and 41% by 2050, depending on how quickly emissions are reduced in the world.
Mexico, the world ’ s largest producer of avocado, could see a 31% decline in cultivated areas by 2050.
Christian Aid called on governments to commit to urgently reducing emissions, accelerating the energy transition and committing to more climate aid for developing countries.
The charity also called for more financial support to vulnerable farming communities that rely on avocado cultivation for a living, so they can invest in mitigation measures.
Stay up to date with our latest local, sports, political and economic news via:
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pin Interest Whats App
Advertisements

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

Kakuzi has implemented sustainable irrigation practices using 19 dams to collect rainfall.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

The company preserves water catchment fields to prevent soil erosion, bush clearance, and overgrazing.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Sustainable avocado farming practices avoid sensitive ecosystems and fragile water sources.

Title:

Content: Columnists

Let’s aim at powering Kenya to top of global superfoods exports table

The global trade agenda is changing quickly from where product and price dominated the conversation to where a company’s values and purpose are intertwined and a big part of the decision to buy products.

In the international market, Kenya now takes its place as the largest avocado exporter in Africa.

Imports of Hass avocado into Europe alone last year were approximately 728,000 tonnes, and Kenyan exports accounted for 40,000 tonnes, about five percent.

But what’s our competitive advantage with other producing countries and why should consumers favour our products over others?

The world is demanding that businesses demonstrate values and purpose aligned to more than just products to climate action, sustainability, and quality agricultural practices and that we are good corporate citizens.

Despite the agricultural business complexities, we have many Kenyan companies doing the right thing and doing it well.

We need to publicise this well, whether we are the private sector, public sector, academia, or national branding agents.

This is how to explain what sets us apart. As superfood producers, we should not plant our crops in sensitive ecosystems and don’t abstract irrigation water from fragile water sources.

Firms need to invest heavily in irrigation and green technology-based systems to mitigate the worst impacts of drought.

Countries such as Israel, Australia, and the United Kingdom have done it.

Companies can build dams and fill them through natural runoff.

Still, superfood production is much more multi-dimensional than just water; it is also about being able to answer the call for climate action, amongst other vital topics.

In Kenya, we have a conducive environment to competitively and sustainably grow superfoods, including fruits and nuts such as Avocados, Macadamia, and blueberries, among others.

The superfoods bid may sound ambitious, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.

Still, we must be committed to undertaking this in a manner that enshrines the commitment to quality, sustainability and traceability.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Investing in irrigation and green technology can help mitigate drought impacts on superfood production.

Title:

Content: Columnists

Let’s aim at powering Kenya to top of global superfoods exports table

The global trade agenda is changing quickly from where product and price dominated the conversation to where a company’s values and purpose are intertwined and a big part of the decision to buy products.

In the international market, Kenya now takes its place as the largest avocado exporter in Africa.

Imports of Hass avocado into Europe alone last year were approximately 728,000 tonnes, and Kenyan exports accounted for 40,000 tonnes, about five percent.

But what’s our competitive advantage with other producing countries and why should consumers favour our products over others?

The world is demanding that businesses demonstrate values and purpose aligned to more than just products to climate action, sustainability, and quality agricultural practices and that we are good corporate citizens.

Despite the agricultural business complexities, we have many Kenyan companies doing the right thing and doing it well.

We need to publicise this well, whether we are the private sector, public sector, academia, or national branding agents.

This is how to explain what sets us apart. As superfood producers, we should not plant our crops in sensitive ecosystems and don’t abstract irrigation water from fragile water sources.

Firms need to invest heavily in irrigation and green technology-based systems to mitigate the worst impacts of drought.

Countries such as Israel, Australia, and the United Kingdom have done it.

Companies can build dams and fill them through natural runoff.

Still, superfood production is much more multi-dimensional than just water; it is also about being able to answer the call for climate action, amongst other vital topics.

In Kenya, we have a conducive environment to competitively and sustainably grow superfoods, including fruits and nuts such as Avocados, Macadamia, and blueberries, among others.

The superfoods bid may sound ambitious, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.

Still, we must be committed to undertaking this in a manner that enshrines the commitment to quality, sustainability and traceability.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

San Diego County's avocado production is declining due to climate change and rising costs.

Title:

Content: SAN DIEGO — San Diego County is producing fewer avocados, according to its annual crop report. Farmers are having to deal with climate change issues and rising costs.

“It’s been pretty much a ride, but there’s been highs and lows,” Ben Holtz, owner of California Avocados Direct, told FOX 5 Friday.

Ben Holtz is a fourth-generation avocado farmer at the business. On 100 acres of land, the company has thousands of trees growing 19 different kinds of avocados.

But recent heat waves are making farming harder.

“Once you get over 100, they are really stressing; 108, they are tremendously stressing,” Holtz said, showing an avocado that has been sunburned. “They burn and all these little tender new growth leaves, they just shrivel and torch up. It’s like somebody took a blowtorch and a flame right to them.”

“There’s a period where after a heat spell, you got seven days until you get to hear the rain happen,” Holtz continued. “And the rain is where all the little tender fruit that the tree wants to release will start dropping on the ground.”

It has been a loss of thousands of dollars for them.

“Sometimes it’s 10% of what the tree is holding, it can be very significant,” Holtz said. “It’s a hard thing to swallow but you have to work with the highs and lows.”

Burnet Wohlford, owner of Heritage Ranch, has three farms: two in Escondido and one in Valley Center. He has hundreds of acres between the properties, growing avocadoes, grapefruit, dragon fruit, lemons and limes. He says he lost more than 60% of his avocados in 2021 due to the heat.

“We need to make the business climate a lot easier to do business here in California,” he told FOX 5.

Wohlford is also a board member of the San Diego County Farm Bureau. The report released by the county showed avocado value generated $82.8 million in 2021, down from $152.9 million in 2020.

Production also decreased, with trees producing two tons an acre in 2021, but four tons in 2020.

“I think what needs to be done is a lot more work up in Sacremento to help secure our water,” Wohlford continued. “We need to build more reservoirs actually catching the rainwater.”

Farmers said that water rates are going up and the quality is saltier.

“Unlike other industries, there’s no discount for buying more. It’s the same price for the first gallon and it is for the 10 millionth gallon,” he said. “If you want to stay in business for the longevity, got to keep doing what you’re doing if you want to survive.”

For farmers like Holtz, that means getting avocado trees that are more modern and are tested to adapt to the changing environment.

“Since we can’t change the water, now we are trying to change the tree,” Holtz said. “So, we are going to make the tree deal with water we have.”

Avocado production dropped from four to two tons per acre from 2020 to 2021, amid rising water rates and declining water quality.

Title:

Content: SAN DIEGO — San Diego County is producing fewer avocados, according to its annual crop report. Farmers are having to deal with climate change issues and rising costs.

“It’s been pretty much a ride, but there’s been highs and lows,” Ben Holtz, owner of California Avocados Direct, told FOX 5 Friday.

Ben Holtz is a fourth-generation avocado farmer at the business. On 100 acres of land, the company has thousands of trees growing 19 different kinds of avocados.

But recent heat waves are making farming harder.

“Once you get over 100, they are really stressing; 108, they are tremendously stressing,” Holtz said, showing an avocado that has been sunburned. “They burn and all these little tender new growth leaves, they just shrivel and torch up. It’s like somebody took a blowtorch and a flame right to them.”

“There’s a period where after a heat spell, you got seven days until you get to hear the rain happen,” Holtz continued. “And the rain is where all the little tender fruit that the tree wants to release will start dropping on the ground.”

It has been a loss of thousands of dollars for them.

“Sometimes it’s 10% of what the tree is holding, it can be very significant,” Holtz said. “It’s a hard thing to swallow but you have to work with the highs and lows.”

Burnet Wohlford, owner of Heritage Ranch, has three farms: two in Escondido and one in Valley Center. He has hundreds of acres between the properties, growing avocadoes, grapefruit, dragon fruit, lemons and limes. He says he lost more than 60% of his avocados in 2021 due to the heat.

“We need to make the business climate a lot easier to do business here in California,” he told FOX 5.

Wohlford is also a board member of the San Diego County Farm Bureau. The report released by the county showed avocado value generated $82.8 million in 2021, down from $152.9 million in 2020.

Production also decreased, with trees producing two tons an acre in 2021, but four tons in 2020.

“I think what needs to be done is a lot more work up in Sacremento to help secure our water,” Wohlford continued. “We need to build more reservoirs actually catching the rainwater.”

Farmers said that water rates are going up and the quality is saltier.

“Unlike other industries, there’s no discount for buying more. It’s the same price for the first gallon and it is for the 10 millionth gallon,” he said. “If you want to stay in business for the longevity, got to keep doing what you’re doing if you want to survive.”

For farmers like Holtz, that means getting avocado trees that are more modern and are tested to adapt to the changing environment.

“Since we can’t change the water, now we are trying to change the tree,” Holtz said. “So, we are going to make the tree deal with water we have.”

Agriculture, the most water-demanding sector, has led to the development of innovative practices like organic, smart, vertical, and renewable agriculture worldwide.

Title:

Content: The hardest challenge.
Mohamed Salem Al Ali
There is no doubt that agriculture is the cornerstone of human civilization and throughout the ages, but its sustainability poses many challenges, because of the difficulty of achieving a balance between feeding the growing population of the world, and at the same time conserving environmental and natural resources. Agriculture, for example, is the most demanding of water, compared to other sectors. Economic and social barriers related to changing old agricultural practices in favor of sustainable solutions, we will find that the agricultural sector, represents a real test of sustainability.
To address these challenges, innovative and sustainable agricultural practices have been developed and implemented around the world, including organic agriculture, smart agriculture, vertical agriculture, renewable agriculture, and many other technologies and solutions. However, what I want to focus on today is the innovative solutions that the UAE comes to the forefront of sustainability. The future of sustainable agriculture, because of its ability to multiply production many times, from the same area or area of land, and with much less resources.
In addition to the rationalization of irrigation and the application of high technologies that have gained the momentum of local production. Today, the country produces a variety of vegetables and fruits, but also exports as the UAE blueberry crop, which has spread to other countries even in those with the most stringent quality standards. There are also endless innovations in food production, not only in crop cultivation, but also in meat and fish production. For salmon farming in the Dubai desert, as well as advanced livestock breeding practices across the UAE based on data analysis techniques.
The UAE ’ s efforts in the field of sustainable agriculture are a key part of its National Food Security Strategy 2051, which aims to make the UAE the best in the world in the global food security index by that year. YES.
Founder of Suhail Smart Solutions
To read the author ’ s previous articles, please click on his name.
twitter

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

The UAE is a leader in sustainable agriculture, producing more with fewer resources.

Title:

Content: The hardest challenge.
Mohamed Salem Al Ali
There is no doubt that agriculture is the cornerstone of human civilization and throughout the ages, but its sustainability poses many challenges, because of the difficulty of achieving a balance between feeding the growing population of the world, and at the same time conserving environmental and natural resources. Agriculture, for example, is the most demanding of water, compared to other sectors. Economic and social barriers related to changing old agricultural practices in favor of sustainable solutions, we will find that the agricultural sector, represents a real test of sustainability.
To address these challenges, innovative and sustainable agricultural practices have been developed and implemented around the world, including organic agriculture, smart agriculture, vertical agriculture, renewable agriculture, and many other technologies and solutions. However, what I want to focus on today is the innovative solutions that the UAE comes to the forefront of sustainability. The future of sustainable agriculture, because of its ability to multiply production many times, from the same area or area of land, and with much less resources.
In addition to the rationalization of irrigation and the application of high technologies that have gained the momentum of local production. Today, the country produces a variety of vegetables and fruits, but also exports as the UAE blueberry crop, which has spread to other countries even in those with the most stringent quality standards. There are also endless innovations in food production, not only in crop cultivation, but also in meat and fish production. For salmon farming in the Dubai desert, as well as advanced livestock breeding practices across the UAE based on data analysis techniques.
The UAE ’ s efforts in the field of sustainable agriculture are a key part of its National Food Security Strategy 2051, which aims to make the UAE the best in the world in the global food security index by that year. YES.
Founder of Suhail Smart Solutions
To read the author ’ s previous articles, please click on his name.
twitter

Governments can promote sustainable agriculture through subsidies, testing, and education, as in Hualien County.

Title:

Content: Promoting Organic Living and Sustainable World Organic Youth Summit
Journalist Chen Mei-jia / Comprehensive Report
The World Organic Youth Summit 2023, the world 's most influential organic agriculture event, entered the second day of the conference on the 14th, held the fifth marketing workshop to explore the development of local markets and enter foreign markets, and the sixth road forward organic life to share the organic applications and future prospects in all aspects of life. 62 delegates and guests, and 300 Taiwanese personnel participated.
This is an advertisement, please continue reading.
Mathew John, President of IFOAM Asia, said that these two days were very special. The energy and vitality of the youth infected everyone. We saw the enthusiasm and input of everyone. Our speakers were very good. Everyone had a lot of experience in their own field. Through experience sharing, the audience was very engaged and looked forward to seeing each other again.
Hualien County Mayor Xu Hazanwei said that Hualien County's policy to incorporate the concept of sustainable management, from promoting the organic promotion office to counseling farmers through organic agriculture-related regulations to the organic road, is the county government's responsible performance in policy implementation.
And last year (111 years) Hualien County government reduced carbon emissions by more than 7%, in the traditional industry also began to start a dialogue with the construction industry on the choice of building materials, and let smart agriculture rooted in education from a young age, so that agriculture to the road to sustainability.
In addition, the county government gives farmers an annual subsidy for organic materials, and it is also the only local government in the country to fully support free organic agricultural testing for farmers, and through various policies to promote the organic area of Hualien County to become the highest in the country.
The Summit started with a marketing workshop to introduce local market development, sharing how the Philippines, South Korea and Sri Lanka can integrate local market exhibitions on slow food, organic regenerative agriculture movement, local food reliability and ecological protection, and local organic participatory co-insurance systems.
In the marketing workshop on the theme of entering foreign markets, we will share the case of organic spices export, how the operating mode of organic tea is beneficial to tea farmers and operators, and how to achieve success in the production process and enter the European and American markets.
Back to Taiwan case study, hosted by Anuadha Ranasinghe, founder of ABBA Agricultural Consulting Co., Ltd., and shared by Zhong Yuen, a Fuli youth, the establishment of the “Fuli Manufacturing Rural Experiment Base ” local creative youth training workstation. Ms. Amy Chan, Marketing Manager of the Company, shared her experience in social enterprise participation in social mutual assistance and environmental sustainability.
The last session of the event focused on topics such as organic living for all ages, organic textiles and cosmetics in the non-food organic sector, GM and organic agriculture, and the anti-GM movement in Korea, which were shared by speakers from the UK, Japan, Belgium and South Korea.
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Africa's agricultural sector significantly contributes to economic development, supporting about 60% of the population.

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Sow, grow, empower to inspire inclusion: Transforming Ghana’s future by nurturing the agricultural prowess of rural women and youth for enhanced food security

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Thu, 7 Mar 2024 Source: Dr. Stella Agyemang Duah

The agricultural sector stands as a significant contributor to Africa’s economic

development, impacting the livelihoods of approximately 60% of the continent's

population. Within the Ghanaian agricultural ecosystem, women emerge as the

unsung heroines, constituting 52% of the agricultural labor force and yielding 70% of the food crops in Ghana. Yet, economically, they benefit the least.

Just like a major part of the African continent, Ghana’s rural women and youth

play an irreplaceable role in the agricultural sector, not only for their communities but for the entire nation. However, they are confronted with challenges, the foremost being the barrier to land acquisition.

Trapped in the background, often behind bureaucratic walls, these women struggle to harness their full potential. High input costs, including hybrid seeds and fertilizers, hinder rural women and youth, confining them to seasonal farming or being at the mercy of other large-scale farmers who often exploit them. There is a need to prioritize securing land through a collaborative effort with kingmakers, the government, and the private sector for women who intend to pursue farming.

This could potentially reduce urban migration and unemployment. It also has the potential to enhance the revenue generation of the government. Thankfully, the Youth in Agriculture Programme (YIAP) has been making efforts to contribute to this endeavour. However, more effort needs to be made to salvage the situation. The financial challenge and women present another hurdle, with the high cost of

inputs, acting as a formidable challenge. Increasing costs of farm inputs such as hybrid seeds, herbicides, and fertilizers create a chasm, preventing these women and youth from embracing modern agricultural practices and relegating them to seasonal farming.

The remedy lies in a holistic approach. First and foremost, there must be a

concerted effort to secure land for rural women and youth. A bold resettlement

program, allocating community lands for specific crops, can breathe life into

these regions. Collaboration with kingmakers and the private sector can facilitate cost-effective land acquisition, curbing urban migration and unemployment.

Financial empowerment is the next imperative step. Subsidies or free provisions

of farm inputs can enhance sustainable farming practices for these women.

thereby increasing their ability to participate meaningfully in commercialised

farming. Government-backed venture capital funds can inject vitality into rural

economies, creating a ripple effect that resonates through school feeding

programs and enhances export capabilities.

Training programs in mechanized farming and access to technology can amplify

their participation, transforming difficult tasks into manageable feats. The

government's role is pivotal here, not just as a provider but as an enabler, offering mechanized services and technical support to amplify sustainable agricultural practices.

Crucially, the voices of these primary producers must be heard in policy

dialogues. Their lack of formal education does not diminish the insights they have collated from hands-on experience. Effective policy engagement, drawing on

their practical insights fortifies the entire agricultural value chain. The recent importation statistics ring as a wake-up call, with cereals and poultry products leading the chart. Ghana's agricultural prowess should be a shield against reliance on foreign products.

The call to action is clear: empower rural women and youth, unlock the potential of available technologies, and transform the agri-food systems. In doing so, not only does Ghana strengthen its economic foundation, but it also paints a narrative of empowerment, resilience, and prosperity for generations to come.

As we commemorate International Women’s Day 2024, let’s inspire inclusion for sustainable agriculture and food security.

Columnist: Dr. Stella Agyemang Duah

In Ghana, women make up 52% of the agricultural labor force, producing 70% of the food crops, but benefit the least economically.

Rural women and youth in Ghana face challenges including limited land access and high agricultural costs.

Collaborative efforts can secure land for rural women and youth, reducing urban migration and unemployment.

Financial empowerment can enhance sustainable farming practices for rural women and youth.

Government-backed venture capital funds can revitalize rural economies and boost export capabilities.

Governments, companies, and consumers can drive sustainable practices by promoting water conservation.

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Content: Water scarcity can be addressed with circular economy approaches

As World Water Week is underway, a collaborative research effort between the British Standards Institution (BSI) and NGO Waterwise highlighted the dire need to address water scarcity.

  • A report by the BSI and Waterwise highlighted the critical issue of water scarcity, particularly in major economies such as the US and China, where annual water consumption has surged significantly over the past century.
  • The research suggested enhancing water circularity through global collaboration and innovation as a viable solution and stressed the significance of collaborative efforts.
  • Water scarcity needs to be addressed due to its profound impacts on health, environment, economies, societies and the pursuit of global sustainable development goals.

The challenge of water scarcity has reached critical levels in major economies such as the US and China, as global annual consumption surged by approximately 3,500 billion cubic metres over the past century. As the global community gathers for World Water Week, an annual event dedicated to addressing the pressing challenges of water scarcity and sustainability, a research partnership between the BSI and NGO Waterwise suggested that enhancing water circularity through international collaboration and innovative strategies could offer a viable solution.

Nicci Russell, chief executive of Waterwise, stated: “Water is fundamental to life… It is increasingly clear that we can’t go on as we have been. It is just not sustainable.”

World Water Week

World Water Week is an annual event that focuses on global water-related issues and challenges. It is organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and typically takes place in Stockholm, Sweden. It gathers professionals, experts, policymakers, researchers and practitioners from various fields to discuss, share knowledge and collaborate on finding solutions to the world’s water-related challenges.

Its main goal is to raise awareness about water-related issues, promote dialogue and knowledge exchange and foster partnerships among different stakeholders to address water scarcity, water pollution, sustainable water management and other pressing water concerns.

Each year, World Water Week revolves around a specific theme related to water and its role in sustainable development. 2023’s theme is “Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World”. Previous years have covered topics such as water and food security, water for sustainable growth and water and climate change. The event provides a platform for showcasing innovations, sharing best practices and promoting policies that can contribute to a more water-secure world.

World Water Week serves as an important platform for generating insights, sharing experiences and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to find solutions that can contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 – ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

The report’s findings

The findings in the report, Thirst for change: Securing a water positive future, underscored the broader benefits of such actions, including mitigating drought risks, supporting climate objectives and advancing social development aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It also stressed the significant role that water provisioning and usage play in contributing to around 10% of global carbon emissions. It forewarned that by 2050, a staggering 75% of the world’s population could face the adverse impacts of drought if immediate steps are not taken.

The study incorporated an assessment of water scarcity across 40 locations, ranking the US, China and India with the highest scarcity rating. While water is plentiful on Earth, merely 0.5% exists as fresh water. A confluence of factors – population growth, climate shifts, and economic expansion – drove water demand.

According to a BSI-commissioned poll, 66% of consumers and 80% of small business leaders consider clean water and sanitation integral to sustainability. Half of the former and 44% of the latter ranked water-related issues among the top five global priorities.

Martin Townsend, director for BSI centre of excellence for sustainability, emphasised the need to shift towards more sustainable water management. “Water is one [of] our most fundamental, precious and undervalued resources…but it is becoming increasingly clear that it is not sustainable for demand for water to continue to rise without action to ensure we are using it wisely and managing it efficiently,” he said.

Recommended actions

The research outlined six actionable recommendations. Firstly, we should acknowledge water wastage as a critical issue, which means active involvement from water utilities globally, focusing on minimising leakage in their networks. Government intervention plays a crucial role in promoting change by creating incentives for reducing wastage. By doing so, individuals and organisations can be inspired to recognise their own contributions to the problem and take steps to curtail water wastage both at home and in workplaces.

The second recommendation is about simplifying the selection of water-efficient products. If countries grappling with water scarcity adopt mandatory water efficiency labelling, it can greatly expedite progress toward a sustainable future. By clearly labelling products based on their water-saving attributes, consumers can make informed choices that contribute to water conservation efforts.

Thirdly, there should be the integration of innovation and data utilisation in water conservation endeavours, for example by using smart water meters. Governments can play a key role by enacting legislation and regulations, setting standards, providing funding and enhancing workforce skills. These measures can collectively facilitate the widespread adoption of water-saving practices, making them a common practice.

The fourth recommendation focused on cultivating a cultural shift towards water conservation. By intensifying efforts to prioritise the issue of water availability, a positive water-saving culture can be nurtured. This applies to individuals, organisations and society as a whole, extending across various contexts such as homes, workplaces and different sectors.

The fifth recommendation advocated adopting a circular economy mindset to address the challenges of water security. This approach involves reusing water, which presents a substantial opportunity to lessen the withdrawal of freshwater resources and meet the rising demand for water. By implementing strategies that emphasise recycling and reclamation of water, the underlying drivers of water scarcity can be effectively tackled.

The final recommendation, and one that is indispensable in the overall fight against climate change, underscored the interconnectedness of water as a fundamental element of our world. It stressed the importance of collaborative efforts involving a diverse range of stakeholders. By uniting different players in the water conservation journey, we can effectively confront the mounting challenges related to water availability. This collaborative approach recognises that addressing such complex issues requires collective action from governments, industries, communities and individuals.

SGV TAKE

Water scarcity should be at the forefront of decision-making globally due to its profound impacts on health, environment, economies, societies and the pursuit of sustainable development goals. Collaboration and the cultivation of a water-saving culture will be paramount to ensure a sustainable water future.

The recommendations call for recognising the seriousness of water wastage, simplifying consumer choices for water-efficient products, harnessing innovation and data, fostering a culture of water-saving, implementing circular economy principles and promoting collaboration among various stakeholders. Through these strategies, the goal is to mitigate the impacts of water scarcity and secure a more sustainable water future for all.

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Mandatory water efficiency labelling can help simplify consumer choices and promote a sustainable future.

Innovations like smart water meters can facilitate widespread adoption of water-saving practices.

A circular economy mindset can help address water security challenges by reusing water and reducing freshwater withdrawals.

The adoption of AgTech among farmers has been slow due to concerns over ROI, ease of use, costs, and data sharing.

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Content: Despite the investment of billions in the global food and AgTech sector each year, slow adoption rates have been recorded among farmers for a number of reasons, a new report from McKinsey and Company has shown.

The report surveyed more than 5,500 farmers across Asia, Europe, North America and South America and stated that the potential of AgTech in sustainable agriculture, can only be possible if start-ups “make a concerted effort” to address farmers’ concerns.

These include concerns over returns on investment (ROI), ease of use, high set up costs and fears around data sharing.

Despite this, analysis found that Europe leads in the adoption of AgTech, with 62% of farmers currently using or planning to use at least one technology in the next two years.

However, of those who do not have plans to introduce AgTech to their farming practice, half said their hesitancy is due to high costs, while 48% said that they are deterred by “complexities in set up”.

North America has the second highest adoption rate at 61%, while South America and Asia follow at 50% and 9% respectively.

“Over the past decade, the number of AgTech start-ups has ballooned as external capital has poured into the industry,” said Vasanth Ganesan, partner at McKinsey.

“This has brought a plethora of technological solutions to agriculture, helping farmers to increase operational efficiency, drive yield, and lower their environmental footprint.

“Yet AgTech start-ups are struggling to scale, not least because of the barriers and challenges observed by farmers themselves,” he added.

He said that greater agtech adoption can “lead to more sustainable growth for farmers and benefit conscious consumers and investors beyond the farm gate”, but stated that this won’t be possible unless companies focus on farmer concerns.

Regulation and government messaging was identified to have a significant impact on this in McKinsey’s report.

It found that “government-sponsored programmes are the main drivers of sustainability programme adoption, with about 40% of farmers reporting that they participate in these initiatives”.

The report suggested a number of ways to boost confidence in AgTech among farmers including improving awareness of their different needs.

Based on this, the various pain points experienced can then be addressed through a more personalised interface, which feels more user-friendly for farmers.

Another critical move should be to renew trust in data sharing, according to McKinsey, as farmers are skeptical about sharing their information and data, often because they don’t understand what it is used for.

“Considering the hesitancy that farmers express about sharing data, AgTech start-ups can build trust by honing their data strategy, streamlining data collection and gathering only the information that is essential to deliver better solutions to farmers,” concluded the report.

Europe leads in AgTech adoption, with 62% of farmers using or planning to use the technology within two years.

Government-sponsored programs drive sustainability adoption, with around 40% of farmers participating.

Addressing farmers' needs through a personalized interface can boost confidence in AgTech.

Renewing trust in data sharing is critical, as farmers are skeptical due to a lack of understanding of its use.

Natural resources are being depleted faster than they can be replaced, making sustainability crucial.

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Content: Environmental sustainability key in post-pandemic world

Think about the natural resources we use daily.

We use water to bathe. We communicate with one another using mobile devices made from copper, zinc, and other precious metals. Our homes are made from lumber, clay bricks, and other material.

Everything we use on daily basis comes from natural resources. However, many resources are being depleted faster than they can be replaced.

The alternative is sustainability, the practice of using natural resources responsibly, so they can support both present and future generations.

The idea of sustainability is often structured into three pillars: economic, environmental, and social — also known informally as profits, planet, and people.

In business settings, sustainability refers to the effect a business has on the environment, and the effect a business has on society. The goal of sustainable practices is to make a positive impact in at least one of those areas.

To survive and thrive in a post-COVID environment, it is essential for businesses and organizations to embed sustainability into their long-term recovery and growth plans while addressing significant obstacles.

Businesses will need to balance long-term benefits with immediate returns, with the goal of pursuing inclusive and environmentally sound goals while meeting their triple bottom lines. This covers a broad range of possible practices and challenges.

Cutting emissions, lowering energy use, improving processes, replacing components of products with environmentally friendly alternatives, and ensuring waste is disposed of properly would all qualify as moves toward sustainability.

As organizations around the world seek to reset and rebound after the devastating impact of COVID-19, sustainability will be a crucial shift in building a resilient post-pandemic world.

In Hamilton, McMaster University launched its first university-wide sustainability strategy on April 19 with a collective commitment to engage students, faculty, and staff in transforming the campus into a living laboratory for sustainability. For every 20 views of the sustainability strategy, the office of sustainability will add a tree to the McMaster Carbon Sink Forest — up to 250 trees.

“Sustainability is critical to McMaster, and we are working to accelerating our targets to become a carbon-free campus and to promote ways our students, faculty, and staff can contribute to sustainability on campus and in our community,” says Debbie Martin, assistant vice-president and chief facilities officer.

When designing and creating new products or technology, researchers and designers can advocate and design for the use of green materials. They can design products that minimize waste and energy consumption.

“The transformation of McMaster’s campus into a living laboratory offers a tremendous opportunity for McMaster students and researchers to develop and demonstrate practical approaches to improving sustainability,” says John Preston, associate dean, research and external relations.

Moving forward, sustainability needs to be part of every meeting agenda for every organization. Broadening the scope of environmental, social, and governance compliance for public companies to qualify for funding will be another step in the right direction. If business and other leaders continually ask, “What is the environmental impact of this decision, and is there a healthier option?” then sustainability will, at last, become firmly embedded.

Zobia Jawed is the McMaster University's faculty lead for engineering design projects, assistant professor (A), wastewater research lead; board of director and chair, Healthy Youth Network; board of director, Conservation Halton. She can be reached at zobia.jawed@gmail.com.

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Reducing pollution and conserving resources can help mitigate environmental degradation's harm to human health.

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Understanding the Evolving Science of Environmental Health

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We have talked a lot about some of the problems caused by harming the planet. The most frequent issue we have talked about is the impact it has on climate change.

However, problems with the environment can cause other consequences. They can be especially harmful to our health.

Pollution alone causes over 9 million premature deaths every year. There are a number of other ways that environmental problems affect our health. Keep reading to learn more.

Environmental Problems Strongly Affect Your Health

Have you ever stopped to think about how the environment affects your health? Believe it or not, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat all have a huge impact on our well-being. That’s where environmental health comes in. This field focuses on the relationship between the environment and human health. The American Public Health Association has a detailed overview of this field.

It’s so important because it affects everyone, regardless of age, gender, or location. In this article, we’re going to explore the ways in which environmental health impacts our lives, and why it’s crucial that we prioritize it. So, let’s dive in!

Human Health and the Environment

The relationship between human health and the environment is a complex one. Our health is affected by a multitude of factors, many of which are environmental. For example, the air we breathe can contain pollutants that lead to respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis. We have another article on the various problems pollution causes for our lung health. Exposure to contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illnesses and even more severe conditions like cancer. Even the food we eat can have a huge impact on our health, as certain pesticides and chemicals can accumulate in our bodies over time.

The impact of the environment on our health is particularly pronounced in vulnerable populations, like children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. For example, children who live in areas with high levels of air pollution are more likely to develop asthma and other respiratory conditions. Similarly, the elderly are at a higher risk of heat-related illnesses during heat waves, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

It’s important to note that the relationship between the environment and our health is a two-way street. Not only does the environment impact our health, but our actions can also impact the environment in turn. For example, the use of fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources contributes to air and water pollution, as well as climate change. Ultimately, it’s up to us to take action to protect both our own health and the health of the planet.

The Impact of Environmental Degradation

Environmental degradation is a term that refers to the deterioration of the environment through the depletion of natural resources, pollution, and other human activities. Unfortunately, the impact of environmental degradation on human health is significant.

Air pollution, for example, is a major cause of respiratory problems, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It can also exacerbate existing health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. Water pollution can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses, as well as more severe conditions like cancer. The use of pesticides and other chemicals in agriculture has been linked to a range of health problems, including cancer, developmental delays in children, and reproductive issues.

Climate change, which is largely caused by human activities, is another major driver of environmental degradation. It is contributing to the spread of infectious diseases, as warmer temperatures allow disease-carrying insects to survive in areas where they were previously unable to. It is also leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves, which can cause heat exhaustion and heatstroke, particularly in vulnerable populations like the elderly and young children.

All of these impacts of environmental degradation highlight the urgent need to take action to protect the environment and human health. By reducing pollution, conserving natural resources, and transitioning to more sustainable practices, we can help to mitigate these harmful effects and create a healthier future for ourselves and future generations.

The Importance of Sustainable Development

Sustainable development refers to a way of using resources that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It’s crucial for environmental health because it ensures that we are using resources in a way that does not deplete them or cause harm to the environment.

One of the most important aspects of sustainable development is reducing our reliance on non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels. This not only helps to mitigate the impacts of climate change but also reduces air and water pollution. Another key component of sustainable development is protecting natural habitats and biodiversity. By preserving ecosystems, we can ensure that they continue to provide important services, like clean water and air, and support human health.

There are many examples of sustainable development practices, including the use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, the implementation of green infrastructure to reduce flooding and improve air quality in urban areas, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture that reduces the use of pesticides and promotes biodiversity. These practices not only benefit the environment but also support human health by reducing pollution, improving access to clean water and air, and promoting healthy diets.

Overall, sustainable development is crucial for ensuring that we can meet our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

The Role of Individuals in Environmental Health

As individuals, we all have a role to play in promoting environmental health. There are many actions we can take in our daily lives that can help to reduce our impact on the environment and promote a healthier planet.

One of the most important things we can do is to reduce our use of non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels. This can include things like driving less, using public transportation or biking, and using energy-efficient appliances in our homes. We can also reduce waste by recycling, composting, and reducing our use of single-use plastics.

Another important way individuals can promote environmental health is by supporting sustainable agriculture practices. This can include buying locally-grown produce, choosing organic or sustainably-grown products, and reducing our consumption of meat and dairy, which have a large environmental footprint.

Individuals can also play a role in advocating for policies that promote environmental health, such as supporting politicians who prioritize environmental issues, and supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices.

Ultimately, the choices we make as individuals can have a significant impact on the environment and human health. By making conscious choices and advocating for change, we can all play a role in creating a healthier and more sustainable future.

The Role of Government in Environmental Health

The government plays an important role in promoting environmental health through policies and programs that aim to protect natural resources and reduce pollution. These policies can range from regulations on industrial emissions to incentives for renewable energy development.

One of the most important roles of government in promoting environmental health is through the implementation of regulations and standards to reduce pollution. For example, the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act in the United States set limits on the number of pollutants that can be released into the air and water. These regulations help to protect human health by reducing exposure to harmful pollutants.

Governments can also promote environmental health by investing in sustainable infrastructure and technology. This can include things like building bike lanes and public transportation systems, supporting the development of renewable energy, and investing in green building practices.

Another important role of government in promoting environmental health is through education and outreach programs that help to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage individuals and businesses to take action. These programs can range from public service announcements to educational campaigns in schools.

yan Kh is an experienced blogger, digital content & social marketer. Founder of Catalyst For Business and contributor to search giants like Yahoo Finance and MSN. He is passionate about covering topics like sustainability, green-business approach and high-tech innovations.

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Non-renewable resources like fossil fuels contribute to pollution and climate change.

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The World Today – Can the Agricultural Map Adapt to Climate Change?
Can the agricultural map adapt to climate change?
From the World News section and now we leave you with the full details
MOHAMMED - Abu Dhabi on Saturday 25 November 2023 02: 24 PM - With the ongoing environmental changes and transformations of the planet, the impact of climate change on the agriculture sector, which is the backbone of the stability of human life, is clearly visible.
This requires understanding the implications of the agricultural map and how nature ’ s shifting scales and weather fluctuations affect planting times and harvests.
Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and natural disasters such as droughts and floods.
All of this poses challenges to the agricultural map, as rising temperatures can degrade soil quality, exacerbate desertification, and reduce the amount of arable land.
Similarly, poor rains, droughts, floods and violent storms significantly affect crops and agricultural resources by degrading agricultural productivity or destroying crops and contaminating the soil.
To overcome these challenges, the agricultural map needs to adapt to climate change, through actions to improve water resources management, develop modern irrigation techniques to deal with water shortages, and focus on agricultural research to develop drought-resistant and high-temperature crops that help adapt to climate change and achieve agricultural sustainability.
Specific effects
To understand the impact of climate change on the agricultural map, specialists reviewed some of the different aspects of agriculture that can have this impact, from planting dates to agricultural production levels, as follows:
Changes in planting times: Higher temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns can affect crop planting times.
The need to adapt planting dates to climate change may increase.
• Change in harvest seasons: Climate change can affect harvest dates and cause fluctuations in the quality and quantity of harvested crops.
Changes in rainfall distribution: Changes in rainfall distribution can affect soil quality and water availability, leading to a change in plant varieties that can be grown in different areas.
Increased extreme weather events: Increased weather extremes, such as floods or droughts, can lead to crop loss and deteriorating agricultural conditions.
Rising temperatures: Higher temperatures can lead to a change in agricultural genius and crop ripening times.
Impact on ecosystems: Climate change can affect the ecological balance in agricultural areas, affecting the availability of vital resources for farms.
• Change in the spread of diseases and pests: Climate change can increase the spread of certain diseases and pests that may affect crops.
Need for Adaptive Plant Varieties: Climate change may require the development and use of plant varieties that are adapted to changing growing conditions.
Impact on crop distribution: Climate change may lead to a change in crop distribution, with some areas becoming less suitable for some crops and others becoming more suitable.
• Pressures on water resources: Climate change may have impacts on the availability of water for irrigation, putting pressure on agriculture in areas that rely heavily on water.
• The need for sustainable agriculture: Climate change highlights the importance of improving sustainability in agriculture, including the use of water conservation techniques and the application of more sustainable agricultural practices.
Climate change and its new challenges require continued adaptation and innovation in the agriculture sector, including the use of new technologies, better scheduling, and improved agricultural sustainability to balance food production needs with environmental conservation.
Adaptation and mitigation
Professor of Environmental Studies, Dr. Abdul Masih Samaan, explains in private statements to Eqtisad Dot Al-Khaleej, the impact of climate change on the agricultural map, that it is divided into two parts:
1.
The first is related to rising temperatures, which have now reached an above-average increase of 1.4 ° C (according to the World Meteorological Organization), and this has repercussions on the agricultural crop, and the water that irrigates the crop, if water is reduced, this means that all crops will be reduced as a result of water scarcity.
In addition, if there are floods in some places, this also negatively affects the implants by wasting them.
2.
The second is that each crop has a certain temperature during its growth cycle, and as temperatures rise, this means that almost all agricultural crops will reduce their productivity by 5% to 30% such as maize, wheat and rice, except for the only crop that may survive this, cotton because it needs high temperatures, the rest of the crops will be affected by high temperatures.
Professor of Environmental Studies, refers to the efforts of adaptation and mitigation in the agricultural sector, and among the mechanisms of adaptation is the creation of a different agricultural cycle; the farmer naturally knows the seasons of cultivation of each crop, if there is a change in temperature in the time to be cultivated, he must think of a new agricultural cycle.
He stresses that research is now moving to identify and study patterns of agricultural cycle modification, with the search for varieties that tolerate high temperature and lack of water; for example, it is known that rice needs a lot of water and in light of the scarcity of water, genetic engineering research to search for alternative types that bear high heat with lack of water. The product is an existing trend, and may reach a lower cost with future development.
To overcome the lack of water, he shows that there are two solutions; the first is desalination of sea water, and the second is sewage treatment, pointing out that some developed countries have reached the purification of wastewater by 100%, where they extracted sterile water and ozone treatment and completely pure, but in the Arab world there is a reservation on the use of this water for drinking but can be used in the cultivation of wood trees forests to improve the climate.
Planting trees
He points out that with the increase of trees, the proportion of oxygen increases and the proportion of carbon dioxide, the main cause of the phenomenon of climate change, and therefore whenever we plant forests, this was very useful for the climate, especially since with the high temperatures now there are fires in forests such as Amazon, Australia and others; add to this the erosion of forests in Africa because of the injustice on trees to use their wood for agriculture or export for hard currency and so on.
According to the professor of environmental studies, solving the climate problem requires the concerted efforts of many, the first and most important of which is the expansion of new and renewable energies.
However, Samaan also warns that there are two triangles (economy, politics and environment), and these three sides of the equation; the improvement of the environment will of course affect politics and the economy, so what he called the "terrible equation" here is how to reconcile the three, by reconciling the policies of countries working on many strategic axes and forms and how to develop the economy at lower cost under the high cost of clean energy such as solar and green hydrogen. in order to preserve the environment.
Developing countries need to invest $1.7 trillion in renewable energy annually, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The United Nations has warned that there is little hope of achieving any climate targets by 2030 unless there is massive investment in clean energy in developing countries.
• International investment in renewable energy has almost tripled since the Paris climate agreement was concluded in 2015, but most of that increase has been in developed countries, according to UNCTAD.
Challenges and Solutions
Dr. Wafiq Naseer, a member of the Global Parliament for the Environment, explained in an exclusive statement to Eqtisad Dot Al-Khaleej that climate changes affect harvests and agriculture significantly, as high temperatures and lack of rainfall can reduce agricultural productivity and deteriorate crop quality.
In addition, climate change can cause the emergence of new pests and diseases that affect different crops.
He adds that climate change also affects the timing of crop planting, so higher temperatures can reduce the duration of crop growth and change planting dates.
Naseer states that the main challenges facing agriculture due to climate change are:
Lack of water: Lack of rain can lead to a lack of water available for irrigation, affecting crop growth and quality.
Increased temperatures: Increased temperatures can worsen crop quality and reduce agricultural productivity.
• The emergence of new pests and diseases: Climate change can lead to new pests and diseases affecting crops.
To overcome these challenges, Naseer points out that some actions can be taken such as:
• Agricultural sustainability strategies: Promote the use of sustainable agricultural practices that preserve biodiversity, improve soil quality and reduce the use of harmful chemicals.
• Smart irrigation: The use of smart irrigation technologies that improve water use efficiency and reduce waste.
• Agricultural diversity: Promoting agricultural diversity and growing crops adapted to climate change.
• Modern technologies: The use of modern technologies such as organic agriculture, precision agriculture and climate control to improve crop quality and increase agricultural productivity.
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Energy is needed in all stages of agriculture, from land preparation, water lifting, transport, and processing. Sustainable management of the natural resources of land, water, air, and biodiversity is the mantra for sustainable agriculture.

Energy is needed in all stages of agriculture, from land preparation, water lifting, transport, and processing. Sustainable management of the natural resources of land, water, air, and biodiversity is the mantra for sustainable agriculture.

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Role of Energy in sustainable agriculture.pptx

  1. 1. Energy Management in Sustainable Agriculture Presented by: Submitted to : Anusha KR Dr. Kulbir Singh L-2021-H-88-D Department of Vegetable Science
  2. 2. •Energy is constantly flowing through the ecosystem. • It enters as solar energy and it is converted by plants into potential energy, which is stored in the chemical bonds of organic molecules, or biomass •Whenever this potential energy is harvested by organisms to do work (e.g. grow, move, reproduce), much of it is transformed into heat energy that is no longer available for further work or transformation - it is lost from the ecosystem.
  3. 3. Energy and Agriculture • Energy is needed in all stages of agriculture, from land preparation, water lifting, transport, and processing. • Agriculture is an energy-conversion process that transforms solar energy into food through photosynthesis. • Almost 99% of the energy for primary plant growth and productivity is derived from the sun. • Sustainable management of the natural resources of land, water, air, and biodiversity is the mantra for sustainable agriculture. • It is impossible to conceive of an effective food production system, processing, and distribution without adequate energy inputs.
  4. 4. • The three-fold increase in global agricultural productivity during the last half a century has been possible because of a parallel and exponential increase in the use of chemical fertilizers, irrigation, and pest control measures. • This is also the reason that the term “green revolution” itself is a euphemism (Nair 2013). • It is more appropriate to call it an “industrial type agriculture,” rather than green revolution, with all the concomitant adverse fallout on the environment (Nair 2013; 2014).
  5. 5. Pattern in Energy Use • Agricultural production by itself accounts for only a relatively small proportion of the total energy used in industrial and developing countries. 4–8% in Developing countries 30–35% in Developed countries Production and distribution Processing Transport Trade
  6. 6. Energy use in global agriculture follows two extremes as follows: 1. The high external input and highly mechanized factory model of agriculture of the advanced countries are 50 times as energy intensive as compared to traditional agriculture. 2. The very low or nil external input agriculture which is a part of the subsistence agriculture prevalent in many of the stressed ecosystems of the tropics depends mostly on solar energy-drive natural processes and on human and animal draft power. • Between these two highly contrasting energy use patterns, depicted above, fall the green revolution technologies, especially in developing countries, which use moderate fertilizer and pest control inputs, though the high-end farmers use unbridled quantities of fertilizers and pesticides, and, farm mechanization is of low intensity, except on large farms.
  7. 7. Energy intensification in agriculture
  8. 8. Advantages • Energizing the food production chain has been an essential feature of agricultural development and a prime factor to achieve food security. • A direct relationship exists between energy consumption and agricultural yield. • Traditional agricultural systems depend largely on the metabolic (endosomatic) energy of humans and animals and solar energy, whereas the energy requirements of modern agriculture are almost completely met from fossil fuels, mostly petroleum and to some extent diesel. • Energy transformed outside the body (exosomatic, for example, burning gasoline in a tractor) results in much higher productivity per unit of labor. • Thus, a gallon of gasoline can be transformed into the equivalent of 3 weeks of human labor (Giampietro and Pimental 1994). • The efficiency of energy conversion in humans is only 25%, and in a fit person the body can use up energy up to 250 to 300 W.
  9. 9. • The ratio of exosomatic and endosomatic energy is 4:1 in traditional agriculture, whereas it is almost 40:1 for modern agriculture. • This results in completely lower land and labor productivity in traditional agriculture and, consequently, in lower socioeconomic standards in terms of income, health, education, services, and so on. • From the early twentieth century, the global population grew at an accelerating pace, which made output from low- energy input traditional agriculture inadequate to meet the growing need for food. • Energy intensification of agriculture started actively in the post-II World War period as a consequence of the impact of industrialization and accelerated economic growth. • Heavy injections of fossil energy, in the form of chemicals and machine power, in combination with high-yielding crop varieties, increased the productivity of land and labor enormously in comparison to primitive agriculture. • This resulted in increasing income and standards of living for the farmer and in more labor becoming available for other economic sectors, especially in advanced countries.
  10. 10. Disadvantages • Large scale energy infusion into modern agriculture for land preparation and irrigation and very high fertilizer inputs, often without adequate thought to the efficiency of their use, have created a trade-off between productivity on the one hand and environmental quality, resource conservation, and economic viability on the other. • Excessive use of external inputs has resulted in multiple adverse impacts, including enormous degradation of soil in the form of erosion, loss of organic matter and fertility, and salinization, environmental pollution from unbridled use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, entering surface and ground water to become a threat to human and animal health, and, damage to and extinction of aquatic species as a result of the presence of toxic chemicals in runoff. • The Punjab State in India, known as the “cradle” of green revolution epitomizes all these problems (Nair 2013).
  11. 11. • Intensive farming techniques impact the pattern of energy flows in ecosystems. • In general, they reduce the capacity of the ecosystem to use solar energy for evapotranspiration, gross primary production, recycling of nutrients, and natural pest control, leading to a decrease in the efficiency of the use of inputs. • This renders the soil a biologically dead physico-chemical medium incapable of sustaining productivity in the long run, as is happening in many intensively cultivated systems, such as rice-wheat systems of South Asia, Punjab State in India, being a classic example in the former category of nations (Ladha et al 2003) • Among the most adverse impacts of high energy agricultural systems, is their high direct and indirect share of contribution to global warming, due to emission of gaseous emission, the nitrous oxide being the most important. • Along with deforestation, they account for about 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, through the burning of fossil fuel manufactured fertilizers and pesticides, and also through inefficient use of nitrogenous fertilizers, which enhances nitrous oxide concentrations in the atmosphere. • Thus, energy use in high external input agriculture has become ecologically, economically, and environmentally, unsustainable.
  12. 12. Impact of Low Energy Use in Agriculture
  13. 13. • Inadequate external energy infusion, as in the low-input traditional agricultural systems of the developing countries, results in low land and labor productivity and a lack of food security. • Agricultural practices based on animal and human power with inadequate use of fertilizers and pesticides and lack of storage, preservation, and transportation facilities cannot meet the needs of the growing population. • Low external energy input agriculture is, without doubt, environmentally friendly. • Natural ecological processes are certainly superior to external inputs in terms of crop production because they are regenerating, nonpolluting, practically free, and resource-conserving. • However, they are not invariably beneficial at the societal level. • In the low input primitive systems of production, the ratio of exosomatic to endosomatic energy is low. When a society has a very low exosomatic/endosomatic energy ratio and uses labor-intensive techniques to save capital and fossil energy, its per capita labor and land output remains low, resulting in a lower standard of living, health, and education (Giampietro and Pimental 1994)
  14. 14. • Ecological processes cannot substitute completely external inputs in modern crop production because they have their own pattern and pace of mass and energy flow and distribution. • Although excellent sources of plant nutrients are present in organic form, such as crop residues and animal and poultry excreta, their utilization may be constrained by their rate of mineralization and lack of synchrony with plant growth needs.
  15. 15. Sustainable Energy Management in High-Input Agriculture
  16. 16. • Following the principles of thermodynamics, a key indicator of sustainability is the ratio of energy equivalents of all of the inputs and outputs (Andiscott 1995). • The higher this ratio, the more sustainable the system.
  17. 17. • The most basic way to improve the sustainability of modern agriculture is to decrease both the direct and embodied external energy component by increasing their efficiency of use. • “The Nutrient Buffer Power Concept,” while emphasizing the usefulness of chemical fertilizers, aims at moderation, enhancing the efficiency of nutrient use, while at the same time containing environmental pollution, and, as a bonus, enhancing economy of scale (Nair 2004). • Maintaining high productivity with an acceptable impact on resource, environment, and economics is the key to sustainability. • The use of non-polluting alternative sources of energy is also conducive to improving sustainability. • Conservation tillage, integrated pest management, integrated plant nutrient supply, crop rotation, micro irrigation techniques, and precision farming belong to this category.
  18. 18. Conservation tillage • Conservation tillage practices were initially introduced to reduce the costs of mechanization, but, • have turned out to offer several ecological and economic benefits, such as low soil erosion, reduced runoff, more natural pest control, greater water storage and infiltration, increased cropping intensity, and economy of scale in input use. • Conservation tillage has become very popular where farms are large.
  19. 19. Water management • Managing water use more efficiently, using drip and sprinkler irrigation, and using mulch to improve water storage and reduce evapotranspiration, are simple ways to improve the productivity of water • These practices not only result in energy conservation, but also attract other bonuses such as • lower nutrient loss, • higher efficiency of input use, and • freedom from water logging and
  20. 20. • On average, about 25% of the electrical energy used for irrigation in developing countries being wasted due to poor pump and motor efficiency. • Properly designed systems promote correct soil moisture levels, leading to crop stress, reduced yields, wasted water, runoff, soil erosion, and many other problems. • Energy (and money) can be saved in many ways: 1. Efficiency irrigation pumps, including variable speed pump motors; 2. Frequent management/maintenance of irrigation systems; 3. Proper pump-sizing; and 4. Upgrade to more efficient irrigation system, e.g. from wheel lines to pivot or linear sprinkler systems.
  21. 21. Pest management • Integrated pest management combines several virtues, including • cost reduction, • environmental and human safety, • prevention of pesticide resistance and pest resurgence, • with a favorable energy balance.
  22. 22. Cropping system • Biodiversity enhancement through • Polyculture, as opposed to the monoculture system (rice-wheat continuous cropping during the green revolution phase in Punjab State, India), • Crop rotation, • Mixed cropping, and • Strip cropping • Has been shown to have a variety of positive effects, such as conservation, the efficiency of use of nutrients, and water, erosion control, biological pest and disease control, and improvement in soil quality
  23. 23. Farm vehicles • The biggest opportunities for energy savings from farm vehicles can be found in tillage systems and tractor fuel efficiency. • Tractor fuel efficiency can be as simple as proper tire inflation, regular vehicle maintenance, and reduced idling. • Such measures can not only save fuel but prolong the life of tractor
  24. 24. Greenhouse agriculture • Typical annual greenhouse energy usage is 75% for heating, 15% for electricity and 10% for vehicles. • Producers who put resources where the greatest savings can be realized have clear opportunities for savings. • Energy conservation solutions range from common-sense to extremely efficient heating, cooling and watering systems: • Reduce Air Leaks by using door closers, • weather stripping (doors, vents, fan openings) and • lubricating louvers (a partially open louver may allow several air changes per hour). • Poly with an infrared inhibitor on the inner layer can give 15% energy savings. • Thermal Blankets can achieve 20%-50% energy savings. • Foundation and Sidewall Insulation.
  25. 25. Sustainable Energy Management in Low–Input Systems
  26. 26. • Access to appropriate energy can enhance productivity and food security, create livelihood opportunities, and reduce poverty (WEC/ FAO 1999). • Hopes to improve the lives of the rural peasants and landless poor of developing countries depend largely on some level of energy infusion into their cultivation processes and into their daily lives. • The realization of minimum standards of living is possible only through proper energy management (FAO 1996b).
  27. 27. • The Rio Earth Summit (UNCED 1992) highlighted the importance of efficiently managing fossil energy and making use of other forms of renewable energy such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass energy in sustainable development. • The gist of the recommendations made with respect to agriculture is the following: 1. The process of transition to environmentally sound energy resources using structured and diversified alternative and renewable energy sources should be initiated in rural communities 2. Energy inputs should be increased to rural households and for agro industrial needs 3. Rural programs for energy self-reliance in the sustainable development of renewable energy sources should be implemented
  28. 28. Biomass energy • Biomass energy from agricultural by-products can be used in small-scale industries in rural areas, such as • sugar, rubber, and coconut processing, rice par boiling, fish and meat drying, brick making, lime kilns infusions of energy from biomass, such as straw for mushroom culture and cattle waste in pisciculture, recycling of biowastes such as banana leaves, and fodder banks • are innovative means of livelihood creation, as seen in the Biovillage model in Pondicherry (Union territory, India) as detailed by MSSRF (2000), ceramics, and pottery.
  29. 29. Combined heat-power generation technologies • Combined heat-power generation technologies have proved very effective in the sugarcane industry, where the byproduct bagasse is used as biomass fuel. • Recently an Australian Company “Zero Waste Ltd” has come forward with a unique technology where bagasse (by product of sugarcane crushing) is converted into an organic material, commercially marketed, now as “Geogreen” in India, with a collaboration of a company, Rallis India Ltd. (A Tata Group Company). • This material has proved to be extremely successful and useful in Indian soils highly depleted of native carbon by the onslaught of the green revolution, which led to severe carbon depletion in soil, leading to yield depression and degradation of soil. • These technologies are cost-effective and can facilitate decentralized rural industrialization.
  30. 30. • Ever since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 1996) confirmed that global warming is due to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, renewed efforts have been underway to replace fossil fuel with other clean or less polluting energy sources such as solar energy, hydrogen biomass, and natural gas. • Solar energy, wind energy, biomass energy, and hydro and geothermal tidal energies are being evolved as potential forms of renewable energy. • They are non-polluting, non-emission sources and are suitable for small to medium scale operations, especially in rural and remote areas. The growth of different energy types is depicted in the following table
  31. 31. Thank you

Editor's Notes

  •  mainly through the reduction in the intensity of tillage, and retention of plant residues.

×

Low external input agriculture is environmentally friendly, but may not meet a growing population's food needs.

Title:

Content: Africa: Why's the AfDB Siding With the Agrochemical Industrial Complex?

10 March 2023
analysis

Against the wishes of hundreds of millions of farmers, the bank is backing a model that can push economic dependence, soil depletion and pollution.

After the largest food price spike in recent decades, 2022 was dubbed the "year of unprecedented hunger". Africa was once again at the forefront of the catastrophe, with hundreds of millions suffering from severe food insecurity.

In May that year, the African Development Bank (AfDB) launched a $1.5 billion African Emergency Food Production Facility with the stated goal of boosting food and nutrition security on the continent. This strategy is largely geared towards expanding an industrial model of agriculture centred on monocropping and increased reliance on inputs such as "improved" seed and chemical fertiliser.

To boost food production - with a focus on wheat, corn, rice, and soybean - the facility is to deliver "certified seeds, fertilizer and extension services to 20 million farmers" and provide "financing and credit guarantees for large-scale supply of fertilizer to wholesalers and aggregators". Additionally, and in a concerning echo of Structural Adjust Programmes, the AfDB also announced that it is working to "secure commitments from African governments on implementing policy reforms on fertilizer", after consulting with "fertilizer company CEOs".

Framed as a crisis response, this corporate-led strategy has actually been at the core of the AfDB's agenda for years. Its Strategy for Agricultural Transformation in Africa (2016-2025), for instance, seeks to expand the use of commercial inputs and liberalise input markets. Meanwhile, through its Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism, the AfDB has worked closely with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the International Fertilizer Development Center as well as controversial corporate giants like Syngenta, Yara, Dangote, Export Trading Group, and Omnia Fertilizer.

Is this approach what African farmers want or need amidst shifting precipitation patterns, rising temperatures, and more extreme weather? Is it compatible with the AfDB's commitment to support a "transition [of] food systems compatible with climate and biodiversity imperatives"? Who truly benefits from this agenda?

Do synthetic fertilisers work?

According to the AfDB, the use of fertilisers and "improved" seeds increases agricultural productivity, leading to "a huge impact on [farmers'] yields, and therefore on their income". This notion, however, ignores the vicious cycle that reliance on chemical fertilisers leads to. As research has shown, synthetic fertilisers can deplete the land's nutrients, meaning more and more fertiliser is needed each year to produce the same yields. This creates a dead-end in which farmers have to spend more on inputs year on year, food security doesn't improve, and the soil loses fertility over time.

This strategy can also prove extremely expensive for countries that subsidise synthetic inputs, a common intervention of many governments on the continent. At one point, for instance, Malawi was spending 16% of its entire government budget on a farm input subsidy programme that failed to reduce hunger. The costs of these kinds of subsidies may only increase; chemical fertiliser prices reached near record levels in 2022 and are projected to remain high for several years.

As well as being ineffective and costly, the use of chemical fertilisers also devastates the environment. The supply chain for synthetic nitrogen fertiliser is responsible for 2% of all global emissions. Meanwhile, runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus lays waste to local water supplies through algal blooms. These impacts are so serious that experts have called the flood of excess nitrogen into the environment "one of the most severe pollution threats facing humanity today".

Who gains from chemical fertiliser use?

Agrochemical corporations have made record sums during the recent crisis as the prices of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash skyrocketed. For instance, Canada's Nutrien took in a record $5 billion in net earnings in the first half of 2022. Norway's Yara International reported a first-quarter operating income of $1 billion, more than triple the same figure a year earlier. US company Mosaic saw its earnings per share grow by over 250% in the same period, while Germany's Bayer boasted "outstanding sales and earnings growth, with particularly substantial gains for our agriculture business".

Fertiliser companies have a history of thriving in times of hunger. As detailed in a report from the NGO INKOTA, top fertiliser companies captured colossal profits during the last food price crisis in 2007/8, which they then used to consolidate and expand their power.

Today, agrochemical companies see Africa as the last expansion market. While an average 135kg of fertiliser is applied per agricultural hectare globally, that figure in sub-Sahara Africa is just 17kg. On the continent, smallholder farmers have been feeding hundreds of millions of people with little need for chemical fertilisers or so-called "improved" seeds. Entrenching a greater reliance on commercial inputs for African farmers is thus seen as a major opportunity for business growth.

What do farmers want?

Across the continent, organisations representing hundreds of millions of African farmers strongly oppose this Green Revolution model of large-scale, monocrop production reliant on chemical fertilisers. The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) and many other networks of farmers reject these programmes and have urged governments and international institutions to instead support a move to sustainable and climate-friendly methods.

This starts with the rehabilitation of African crops, such as teff, sorghum, fonio, amaranth, millet, cassava, yam, and many others. While Indigenous plants have assumed a reputation as "food for the poor" due in large part to ideas engrained during colonial rule, they are central to the diet of hundreds of millions of people. These crops are adapted to local geoclimatic conditions, which makes them more resilient to climatic shocks and less reliant on inputs than foreign cereals. By using agroecological systems that nurture healthy ecosystems, these crops can form part of a wide diversity of crops - alongside cereals, vegetables, roots, tubers, nuts and fruits - to provide a range of socio-economic, nutritional and environmental benefits - unmatched by monocrops.

Building on Indigenous knowledge, millions of farmers across Africa have assembled an abundance of effective practices and innovations that don't require costly and polluting inputs. In Kenya, fermenting organic matter to create a nutrient rich compost called Bokashi is helping farmers restore dry, depleted soils. Farmers planting nitrogen-fixing "fertiliser trees" in Malawi are benefiting from the high levels of biomass they create and the nutrients they capture as well as their resilience to drought. A variety of nitrogen fixing leguminous plants are widely used from Malawi to Benin. And in many countries - including Senegal - cover crops are planted to protect the soil and improve the fertility through increased nutrient retention. Coupling such practices with composting, farmers across the continent have seen drastic yield increases. Mixing plants, crops, and trees also makes communities more resilient to the climate crisis by providing different sources of food and income along the year.

These are just some of the many impactful agroecological practices that are backed by scientific studies. This growing body of research - along with centuries of experience - demonstrates that alternatives to chemical fertilisers are effective, affordable, and sustainable. Moreover, unlike synthetic inputs, these approaches restore the soil over time and are unaffected by erratic global price spikes.

These practices are not just solutions to hunger. They are also essential for a shift towards resilient, environmentally sustainable farming. Yet they will remain neglected and underfunded as long as corporate bottom lines are prioritised by international finance institutions such as the AfDB. Instead of doubling down on a failed model, now is the time to direct public funds to support the solutions that African farmers are calling for across the continent.

Frédéric Mousseau is the Policy Director at the Oakland Institute where he coordinates the Institute's research and advocacy on land, food, and agriculture. Andy Currier is a Research Associate at the Oakland Institute supporting research and advocacy on land rights, conservation, climate and agriculture.

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Conservation tillage, integrated pest management, and precision farming are sustainable practices that reduce energy use and environmental impact.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Drip irrigation, mulching, and efficient pumps conserve water and energy.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Integrated pest management reduces chemical use, pollution, and promotes biodiversity.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Polyculture, crop rotation, and mixed cropping can improve ecosystem services and reduce soil erosion.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

The Water Catchment Partnership promotes best practice in using Plant Protection Products to reduce water pollution risk.

Title:

Content: The Water Catchment Partnership – Ten years on….

The Water Catchment Partnership (WCP) was formed in 2013 with the overall aim of promoting best practice when using Plant Protection Products (PPPs).

Ten years on and the WCP continues to deliver and due to the achievements is now widely recognised throughout Northern Ireland. The WCP has expanded relationships with plant protection product users across NI and has developed strong relationships with stakeholders.

The group is a working partnership made up of representation from the Ulster Farmers’ Union, NI Water, DAERA, NIEA, CAFRE and the Voluntary Initiative.

PPPs particularly those used for weed control are often detected in water courses by NIEA and NI Water. These not only pose a risk to aquatic life but increase the cost of treating drinking water by NI Water.

Graeme Campbell, WCP chairperson commented that the WCP are delighted to be invited to join the Amenity Forum updating event. This will provide an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of the WCP to the amenity sector within Northern Ireland. Graeme explained that the partnership has effectively worked together over the past ten years to tackle the problem of PPP’s detected in water. The WCP contributes to improving water quality and associated Water Framework Directive requirements by encouraging best practice near watercourses and raising awareness of local water quality issues for example, MCPA levels detected in watercourses. Over 400 detections of MCPA have been found in watercourses since 2018.

It is important to note that the WCP is not an enforcement body and that its role is purely advisory. The WCP are dedicated to advising all PPPs users about best-practice, safety and their obligations through a voluntary approach to improve water quality. Integrated pest management (IPM) should be the first port of call for pest control. Before PPPs are considered, follow the IPM principals including pest identification, establishing monitoring and an action threshold, implementing control and document results. The operator should then target any application to deal with the specific pest in question – only select the proper herbicide.

UFU deputy president John McLenaghan congratulated the WCP for having the foresight, vision, and professionalism, to embrace collectively some issues and challenges associated with plant protection product use. This model clearly illustrates that when partners learn together and share concerns then good workable, pragmatic solutions can be found. The UFU are delighted to have Bruce Steele as our UFU Voluntary Initiative representative on the Water Catchment Partnership, bringing professional agronomy knowledge, with years of practical experience to share and help all members collectively find solutions. UFU wish WCP members every success for the years ahead.

Over the past ten years the WCP has engaged with many PPPs users within the farming community, through attending targeted events such as agricultural shows, CAFRE Knowledge Transfer events, for example: Business Development Group meetings and Rush Management Demonstration Events. In addition to this NIWater have also provided tours of water treatment plants which have generated very positive feedback and as a result hope to host more of these tours in the near future. The WCP have been responsible for postal drops of leaflets promoting best practice, issuing press releases, speaking to suppliers and merchants, promoting the farm waste chemical disposal scheme and also have conducted three weed wiping trials in conjunction with NI Water to provide weed control alternatives for farmers in vulnerable water catchment areas.

Roy Taylor, NI Water Catchment manager commented: “We are delighted and proud to be involved with the Water Catchment Partnership over the past decade. It is our aim to ensure that plant protection products are used responsibly, so that both the environment and water quality are protected at all times. The partnership always aim to proactively work together to promote and raise awareness of best practice when using pesticides in the garden or on the farm, through a voluntary approach to improve water quality. There has been much progress made over this time and we look forward to working for years ahead with all the other organisations. I must also thank all the farmers, gardeners and landowners who have worked responsibly to help us to protect our valuable water sources.”

Going forward the WCP wants to continue to work with PPPs users on a voluntary basis and are also now keen to reach out to the amenity sector to encourage best practice.

For further information on the WCP or if you would like information on PPPs best practice please email [email protected] or [email protected]

Efficient water management can reduce costs, increase crop yields, and maximize farm profits.

Title:

Content: Maximising farm profits with sustainable water management practices

A new guide by Castle Water has highlighted the financial benefits to farmers of efficient water use

In modern farming, effective water management is crucial for maximising profitability and ensuring the sustainability of agricultural operations.

This guide highlights the financial benefits of efficient water use, introduces sustainable solutions, and explores advanced technologies that can significantly impact your bottom line.

For more insight on optimising water management in agriculture, Castle Water offers comprehensive services tailored to farmers’ needs.

The financial impact of efficient water use

The quality of your water management system directly influences profits by reducing operational costs and increasing crop yields. Implementing irrigation systems can allow for optimal water distribution that meet crop water requirements while minimising waste.

• Reduced Water Costs: By adopting irrigation methods, farmers can significantly reduce water expenses. Techniques like drip irrigation, which deliver water directly to the plant roots, reduce evaporation and runoff.

• Improved Crop Yields: Efficient water management practices ensure that crops receive the right amount of water at the right time, leading to healthier plants and higher yields. This not only boosts revenue but also improves the quality of produce, potentially leading to better market prices.

• Lower Energy Consumption: Advanced irrigation systems often require less energy to operate than conventional methods, translating into lower energy bills. For instance, drip and sprinkler systems use energy more effectively compared to flood irrigation, which can lead to substantial savings over time.

Sustainable solutions for long-term gains

Sustainable water management in farming not only addresses immediate financial concerns but also ensures long-term agricultural viability.

Integrating efficient farming practices helps mitigate the impact of climate change and water scarcity, securing a more stable future for agricultural enterprises.

Utilising soil moisture sensors helps farmers monitor and manage water applications more effectively. By maintaining optimal soil moisture levels, farmers can reduce water usage and prevent excessive irrigation, which can harm crop productivity.

Advanced water technologies for agriculture

Adopting advanced technologies is key to modernising agricultural water management. Innovations in this field provide farmers with tools to optimise water use and adapt to changing environmental conditions.

• Smart Irrigation Systems: These systems use real-time data from weather forecasts, soil moisture levels, and crop needs to automate and fine-tune irrigation schedules. This not only conserves water but also ensures that crops receive the precise amount of water required for optimal growth.

• Water Recycling Systems: Implementing agricultural water recycling techniques allows farms to reuse water for irrigation, reducing overall water consumption. Treated wastewater or runoff can be repurposed, cutting down the demand on freshwater sources.

• Precision Farming Tools: Tools like irrigation sensor systems provide farmers with detailed insights into field conditions. This information enables precise water application, maximising efficiency and reducing waste.

Reducing water waste to save money

By identifying and addressing the inefficiencies in their water management systems, farmers can conserve resources and reduce operational costs.

• Leak Detection and Repair: Regularly inspecting irrigation infrastructure for leaks can prevent water loss and ensure that water is delivered where it is needed. Prompt repairs can lead to significant water and cost savings over time.

• Water Audits: Conducting water audits helps farmers assess their water use patterns and identify areas for improvement. This process involves measuring water use across the system and implementing strategies to optimise water application.

• Education and Training: Providing training on efficient water management techniques and technologies can empower farmers and farmhands to adopt best practices. Knowledgeable farmers are better equipped to implement solutions that enhance water use efficiency and boost profitability. For more general agricultural news check out our produce news.

In conclusion

Efficient water management is not just a sustainable practice; it’s a strategic financial move for farmers.

By implementing modern irrigation methods, adopting sustainable water use strategies, and leveraging advanced technologies, farmers can reduce costs, increase yields, and secure long-term profitability. For further information, check these resources on water management policies for agriculture.

Sustainable water management helps mitigate climate change and water scarcity impacts on agriculture.

Rising temperatures can degrade soil quality and reduce arable land, making sustainable agriculture crucial.

Climate change affects agricultural areas, but sustainable practices and water conservation can improve sustainability.

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Adapting plant varieties to changing conditions can help mitigate climate change's effects on agriculture.

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Using heat-tolerant and drought-resistant varieties can help adapt to climate change.

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Modern technologies and strategies can help agriculture overcome climate change challenges.

The EU's Green Deal brings opportunities and challenges to agriculture, requiring a balanced approach to sustainability.

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Content: Advertisment

EU's Green Deal Poses Challenges for Agriculture, Sparks Debate on Farmer Support

The EU Green Deal presents both opportunities and challenges for the agricultural sector, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to sustainable farming.

Nasiru Eneji Abdulrasheed
New Update

Amid the evolving landscape of the European Union's agricultural sector, the Green Deal emerges as a double-edged sword, promising environmental rejuvenation but posing significant challenges for the farming community. The initiative, aimed at restoring damaged nature, has stirred a complex debate on the future of agriculture in the EU, with notable figures like Donald Tusk calling for the protection of EU farmers against potential adverse impacts.

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Impact of the Green Deal on EU Agriculture

The EU's Green Deal, while championing the cause of environmental sustainability, brings a wave of concern among the agricultural community. Critics argue that the policy, by prioritizing ecological restoration, could inadvertently harm the agricultural sector, which is pivotal to the EU's economy. The transition to greener practices, although beneficial in the long run, requires immediate adjustments and support for farmers to mitigate the potential economic fallout.

Supporting Farmers Through Transition

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As the EU navigates this green transition, the discourse around supporting farmers gains momentum. References to initiatives promoting regenerative farming and digital technology adoption underscore the necessity of equipping farmers with the tools and resources needed to adapt. These measures not only aim to enhance agricultural productivity but also to ensure that farmers can sustainably contribute to the EU's climate goals. However, the challenge lies in balancing environmental objectives with the economic well-being of the agricultural sector.

Looking Ahead: The Future of EU Agriculture

As the EU continues to push forward with its Green Deal, the agricultural sector stands at a crossroads. The policy's success hinges on its ability to harmonize environmental ambitions with the practical realities of farming. Moving forward, a collaborative approach involving policymakers, farmers, and industry stakeholders will be crucial in crafting a sustainable agricultural model that aligns with the EU's environmental and economic aspirations.

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A collaborative approach is crucial for crafting a sustainable agricultural model that aligns with the EU's environmental and economic aspirations.

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EU's Green Deal Poses Challenges for Agriculture, Sparks Debate on Farmer Support

The EU Green Deal presents both opportunities and challenges for the agricultural sector, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to sustainable farming.

Nasiru Eneji Abdulrasheed
New Update

Amid the evolving landscape of the European Union's agricultural sector, the Green Deal emerges as a double-edged sword, promising environmental rejuvenation but posing significant challenges for the farming community. The initiative, aimed at restoring damaged nature, has stirred a complex debate on the future of agriculture in the EU, with notable figures like Donald Tusk calling for the protection of EU farmers against potential adverse impacts.

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Impact of the Green Deal on EU Agriculture

The EU's Green Deal, while championing the cause of environmental sustainability, brings a wave of concern among the agricultural community. Critics argue that the policy, by prioritizing ecological restoration, could inadvertently harm the agricultural sector, which is pivotal to the EU's economy. The transition to greener practices, although beneficial in the long run, requires immediate adjustments and support for farmers to mitigate the potential economic fallout.

Supporting Farmers Through Transition

Advertisment

As the EU navigates this green transition, the discourse around supporting farmers gains momentum. References to initiatives promoting regenerative farming and digital technology adoption underscore the necessity of equipping farmers with the tools and resources needed to adapt. These measures not only aim to enhance agricultural productivity but also to ensure that farmers can sustainably contribute to the EU's climate goals. However, the challenge lies in balancing environmental objectives with the economic well-being of the agricultural sector.

Looking Ahead: The Future of EU Agriculture

As the EU continues to push forward with its Green Deal, the agricultural sector stands at a crossroads. The policy's success hinges on its ability to harmonize environmental ambitions with the practical realities of farming. Moving forward, a collaborative approach involving policymakers, farmers, and industry stakeholders will be crucial in crafting a sustainable agricultural model that aligns with the EU's environmental and economic aspirations.

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Fairtrade certification can improve farmers' economic, social, and environmental wellbeing.

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Content: New study finds Fairtrade enhances farmer resilience and sustainability

The research assessed Fairtrade’s contribution in terms of economic resilience, social wellbeing and good governance

Being part of a Fairtrade-certified producer organisation can improve farmers’ economic resilience, social wellbeing and environmental sustainability, according to a new study commissioned by Fairtrade Germany and Fairtrade Austria.

The study, Assessing the Impact of Fairtrade on Poverty Reduction and Economic Resilience through Rural Development, suggests that Fairtrade certification also leads to good governance in co-operatives.

And researchers found that Fairtrade standards, Fairtrade pricing, and producer support programmes positively impact certified farmers and their communities compared to non-Fairtrade certified farmers, particularly in times of difficulty and distress.

They examined the same producer organisations three times over 10 years, and studied the performance of a cocoa co-op in Ghana, a coffee co-op and three banana co-ops in Peru and found their farmers had higher earnings and more savings than those in comparable non-Fairtrade organisations. For example, coffee farmer members of the Fairtrade-certified La Florida co-op in Peru reported incomes 50% higher than those of non-Fairtrade farmers.

“In times of crisis, it becomes evident that Fairtrade enhances farmers’ economic resilience and supports them in continuing their profession in challenging times,” said Tatjana Mauthofer, researcher at Mainlevel Consulting and co-author of the study. “The study shows that the two Fairtrade mechanisms – the Minimum Price and the Premium – represent a crucial safety net for farmers, their small producer organisations and eventually, also their communities.”

The research assesses Fairtrade’s contribution in terms of economic resilience, social wellbeing, good governance and environmental integrity and builds on two previous studies (in 2012 and 2018) featuring the same Fairtrade-certified producer organisations.

The study makes several recommendations, including supporting product and income diversification to reduce farmers’ vulnerability and enhance their resilience; setting up credit schemes to enable farmers to modernise their farms; and providing training on financial literacy for coffee, cocoa and banana farmers.

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Fairtrade certification can lead to good governance and increased incomes for farmers, such as the 50% higher earnings of Fairtrade-certified coffee farmers in Peru's La Florida co-op.

Title:

Content: New study finds Fairtrade enhances farmer resilience and sustainability

The research assessed Fairtrade’s contribution in terms of economic resilience, social wellbeing and good governance

Being part of a Fairtrade-certified producer organisation can improve farmers’ economic resilience, social wellbeing and environmental sustainability, according to a new study commissioned by Fairtrade Germany and Fairtrade Austria.

The study, Assessing the Impact of Fairtrade on Poverty Reduction and Economic Resilience through Rural Development, suggests that Fairtrade certification also leads to good governance in co-operatives.

And researchers found that Fairtrade standards, Fairtrade pricing, and producer support programmes positively impact certified farmers and their communities compared to non-Fairtrade certified farmers, particularly in times of difficulty and distress.

They examined the same producer organisations three times over 10 years, and studied the performance of a cocoa co-op in Ghana, a coffee co-op and three banana co-ops in Peru and found their farmers had higher earnings and more savings than those in comparable non-Fairtrade organisations. For example, coffee farmer members of the Fairtrade-certified La Florida co-op in Peru reported incomes 50% higher than those of non-Fairtrade farmers.

“In times of crisis, it becomes evident that Fairtrade enhances farmers’ economic resilience and supports them in continuing their profession in challenging times,” said Tatjana Mauthofer, researcher at Mainlevel Consulting and co-author of the study. “The study shows that the two Fairtrade mechanisms – the Minimum Price and the Premium – represent a crucial safety net for farmers, their small producer organisations and eventually, also their communities.”

The research assesses Fairtrade’s contribution in terms of economic resilience, social wellbeing, good governance and environmental integrity and builds on two previous studies (in 2012 and 2018) featuring the same Fairtrade-certified producer organisations.

The study makes several recommendations, including supporting product and income diversification to reduce farmers’ vulnerability and enhance their resilience; setting up credit schemes to enable farmers to modernise their farms; and providing training on financial literacy for coffee, cocoa and banana farmers.

In this article

Certification schemes like Fair Farms promote sustainability and equity by recognizing ethical growers.

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Content: Fair Farms appoints new national program manager

News

APPOINTMENT: Sachin Ayachit is the new national program manager for Fair Farms.

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Growcom has welcomed Sachin Ayachit as the new Fair Farms national program manager.

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GROWCOM has appointed Sachin Ayachit as the new national program manager for the Fair Farms program.

Fair Farms is a national training and certification initiative aimed at cultivating fair and responsible employment practices in Australian horticulture.

Mr Ayachit takes over from Marsha Aralar who took up the position in September 2020.

Mr Ayachit joins Growcom with extensive knowledge and experience, and a background in the delivery of certification programs, accreditations, regulatory compliance, training, and implementation of quality systems for certification schemes in the agriculture sector.

He was most recently the general manager of certification at ACO Certification (previously Australian Certified Organics) as the general manager of certification.

Mr Ayachit holds multiple qualifications including a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, Master of Agribusiness Management, an MBA, as well as being a lead auditor for Integrated Management Systems and Internal Auditing.

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Over the past 16 years he has worked with more than 4500 certified farmers to deliver certification of 10,000 products in more than 15 countries.

"I am excited to be starting with Growcom at this very important time for the Fair farms program," Mr Ayachit said.

"Fair Farms is a great initiative that I think many growers will find invaluable as part of their farm management practices.

"It's an Australian based ethical employment standard, industry-led, and it aligns with my desire to work with all members of the supply chain - especially growers."

Growcom chief executive officer Stephen Barnard said Mr Ayachit's credentials and experience as an agricultural industry expert in training and certification made him the perfect fit for the Fair Farms program.

"Fair Farms aims to recognise growers who are ethical and responsible employers through training and awareness and offers growers a pathway to independent third-party audit through an APSCA registered auditor - so it's great we have Sachin for this lead role," Mr Barnard said.

In October last year the Australian government granted $3.2 million to Growcom to bolster uptake of the Fair Farms program.

Federal agriculture minister David Littleproud said the funding would help more horticulture producers get on board with the program.

"The Fair Farms program is there to help horticulture business do the right thing, both for their employees and their businesses," he said.

"We know that most farmers want to do the right thing by their workers but navigating employment and work health and safety regulations can be a struggle.

"I encourage anyone involved in the horticulture supply chain to look into this program.

"We believe this program is a game-changer for the horticulture industry and funding will also help Growcom look at expanding it to other relevant agricultural sectors at a later stage."

Sign up here to Good Fruit and Vegetables weekly newsletter for all the latest horticulture news each Thursday...

The story Fair Farms appoints new national program manager first appeared on Good Fruit & Vegetables.

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The Australian government granted $3.2 million to Growcom to support the Fair Farms program.

GLC Cerritos LLC has implemented a responsible recruiting initiative and aims to inspire sustainable agribusiness.

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Content: GLC Cerritos LLC hires Sustainability Director Armando Garcia - FreshFruitPortal.com

GLC Cerritos LLC hires Sustainability Director Armando Garcia

Industry Announcements More News

PRESS RELEASE

In order to enhance its sustainability efforts, GLC Cerritos LLC, the leading Jalisco avocado grower-shipper, has hired Armando Garcia as Director of Sustainability.  This newly created position will evaluate current sustainability initiatives with in the company and define a strategy for future projects.  “Cerritos has shown a strong commitment for its sustainable development over the years, which makes it a very unique company within the Mexican Avocado sector; therefore, I am very excited to undertake this new position and work to strengthen Cerritos sustainability program” commented Garcia.

Mr. Garcia most recently worked as Managing Director of the Jalisco Avocado Growers and Exporters Association (APEAJAL), where he was originally hired to develop its sustainability department.  He introduced projects with Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization, the Business Alliance for Climate, Stronger Together, and has worked on the reforestation program, and other green initiatives that APEAJAL has sponsored.

“Cerritos is known throughout the industry for their sustainability efforts.  They strive to live up to their mission “To inspire agribusiness with sustainability by producing healthy food for the world”, said Garcia pointing to such projects as the responsible recruiting initiative with Stronger Together.  The company currently farms 3000 acres of avocados, all of which are certified by Global G.A.P. and Rainforest Alliance.   The company is currently working to securen Fair Trade certification inpreparation for the 2024/25 Mexico avocado season.

Owner Saul Medina mentioned that Armando will first to a deep dive into Cerritos’ current sustainability projects, including governance, human rights, labor and environmental standards.  From there he will develop a sustainability strategy to define how these projects will continue to evolve in the future, and which others will come to bring in sustainability’s full spectrum into the company.

US division president, Giovanni Cavaletto, welcomes Armando Garcia to the team stating  “There is so much good that the Mexican avocado industry brings to the communities where we work.  Mr. Garcia is a great addition to the team to help define our sustainability strategies and share the message of these efforts with the rest of the industry.”

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improving working conditions for employees

The General Authority for Irrigation uses Aquaponics to support smallholder farmers in adopting sustainable farming practices.

The General Authority for Irrigation uses Aquaponics to support smallholder farmers in adopting sustainable farming practices.

The General Authority for Irrigation uses Aquaponics to support smallholder farmers in adopting sustainable farming practices.

The Soydara Model Farm has achieved organic production certification.

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The General Authority for Irrigation uses Aquaponics system to rationalize water consumption
Regions _ UAS
The Soydara Model Farm in Al-Ahsa, affiliated to the General Organization for Irrigation, has achieved the technical standards required for the accreditation of Aquaponics farms, where it has been granted an organic production certificate (HY30006 / SA) for paper crops, which confirms its commitment to organic agriculture for the quality and safety of the products.
This sustainable agricultural model enhances the quality of crops and improves the productivity of irrigation water and the production of leaflets and fish, while conserving environmental resources and achieving a noticeable increase in the productivity of the unit area, and saving more than 90% of irrigation water compared to traditional agriculture, with full commitment not to use pesticides and fertilizers....
The Foundation stressed that it adopts these sustainable practices of model agriculture to improve agriculture and the preservation of natural resources, and to maximize the use of available agricultural resources and improve their effective management, through the use of advanced agricultural methods and modern irrigation methods, and provide a distinctive guidance model for farmers, to preserve the environment for future generations.
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Aquaponics farming conserves resources, improves crop quality, and increases productivity, key aspects of sustainable agriculture.

Title:

Content: Top News
The General Authority for Irrigation uses Aquaponics system to rationalize water consumption
Regions _ UAS
The Soydara Model Farm in Al-Ahsa, affiliated to the General Organization for Irrigation, has achieved the technical standards required for the accreditation of Aquaponics farms, where it has been granted an organic production certificate (HY30006 / SA) for paper crops, which confirms its commitment to organic agriculture for the quality and safety of the products.
This sustainable agricultural model enhances the quality of crops and improves the productivity of irrigation water and the production of leaflets and fish, while conserving environmental resources and achieving a noticeable increase in the productivity of the unit area, and saving more than 90% of irrigation water compared to traditional agriculture, with full commitment not to use pesticides and fertilizers....
The Foundation stressed that it adopts these sustainable practices of model agriculture to improve agriculture and the preservation of natural resources, and to maximize the use of available agricultural resources and improve their effective management, through the use of advanced agricultural methods and modern irrigation methods, and provide a distinctive guidance model for farmers, to preserve the environment for future generations.
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What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?