Annex identification of different global production systems and their relative productivity
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- 1.4.2 Smallholder rain-fed highland
1.4 Extensive production systems1.4.1 Smallholder rain-fed humid This production system is based on smallholder cultivation of root crops, cereals or tree crops often alongside livestock production. Globally, these systems support an agricultural population of approximately 400 million people. Little irrigation is required due to the abundant rainfall. Pressure on land is low with an average of 2.5 persons per cultivated hectare (FAO, 2009). In Latin America, arable land increased by over 200 million ha (from 919 million to 1,200 million) between 1965 and 1994, and irrigated lands have more than doubled (FAO, 1998). As a result of this increase in land use, food production in this region almost doubled in the period between 1965 and 1994, although this increase is smaller on a per capita basis. This highlights a continuing shortage of food in this region, and perhaps unfair distribution/access to food. The main increases in productivity in Latin America were to be seen in wheat, maize and rice, which grew by 2.65%, 2.59% and 1.97% respectively between 1979 and 1994. Wheat and rice production managed to grow despite a reduction in land area. In contrast, growth of sweet potatoes fell by 1.01%, in line with a 1.72% reduction in land area (FAO, 1998). Savannah and wooded areas dominate in extensive mixed systems such as the Cerrados and Llanos which cover much of central and western Brazil, Eastern Columbia, Guyana and Venezuela. Irrigation schemes are absent. Typical crops produced include quinoa, castor beans, pearl millet and pigeon pea. Another example of smallholder rainfed systems is the pearl millet-cowpea-livestock system predominant in West Africa from northern Nigeria to southern Mali. Estimated crop yield is 7,176 million kg dry matter of useable crop residues each year. This supports the livestock present in this system (Fernandez-Revira et al, 2004). Future challenges for smallholder rain-fed humid farming systems are likely to include greater emphasis on sustainable management of natural resources in order to reverse and avoid further environmental degradation. In addition, greater means of accessing agricultural inputs are likely to be needed, as well as technological capital and information provision and education. Finally, increased capacity to react to globalisation and market development will be necessary in order for produce to be integrated (Dixon et al., 2001). Table 8. Characteristics of smallholder rainfed humid production systems
1.4.2 Smallholder rain-fed highlandThis system, which globally supports an agricultural population of over 500 million people, is typically located in steep, highland areas . Systems tend to be diversified with mixed crops and livestock, and are traditionally oriented to subsistence farming involving sustainable resource management. However, they tend to be characterised by intense population and resource pressure as well as poverty. An average of 3.5 persons per cultivated hectare is aggravated by intense grazing pressure on the four-fifths of uncultivated land. Given the poor infrastructure, produce is rarely integrated into the market (FAO, 2009). The intensive highlands mixed system is an example of a production system under this heading. This system is found in the Northern Andes, for example, and produce includes vegetables, maize, coffee and potatoes (FAO, 1998). The system is also found in the Loess Plateau, Gansu Province, China. Main crops produced are subsistence winter wheat in areas of higher rainfall, and subsistence spring wheat in lower rainfall areas. Farm size tends to be around 1 ha, allowing farmers to feed their families and sell some produce to provide income. Livestock production is poorly developed with potatoes, peas and oilseeds being the most popular crops grown. Other crops include wheat, soybean and forage crops (Nolan et al, 2008). Inputs to this system include fertilisers, both organic and inorganic, seeds and pesticides. Winter wheat has a seeding rate of 171 kg/ha and 162 kg/hectare N input. This is just less than four times greater than the N input for spring wheat and may indicate some inefficiency in N fertiliser application (Nolan et al, 2008). The system extends to livestock production, at a subsistence level. In the Gansu Province, farmers tend to have an average of 1.7 pigs per household. Donkeys are used for transportation of produce and labour purposes, and sheep, goats and cattle are also kept. Rough grazing includes roadsides, stubbles and crop residues following harvest and in a few cases, grazing of pastures and forage shallower sloping land (Nolan et al, 2008). Climate change may be a serious threat to food security and the livelihoods of poor farmers in the Tropics. In Latin America and Africa, the projected impacts of climate change on maize yields in 50 years time have been mapped. The results show that smallholder crop and livestock farmers – many of whom rely on rainfed maize production to provide food for their families and animals – are likely to see changes in yields. In the Ethiopian Highlands, maize yields may double. However, eastern Brazil may see a reduction of up to 25% in maize yields; thus adaptation of current farming practices to cope with future climate is needed urgently (ILRI, 2009). Over the next 30 years, terraces in this system could be restored and revived, water management could be improved and maintained by communities and crop and livestock could be better integrated (Dixon et al, 2001). Table 9. Characteristics of smallholder rainfed highland systems
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