A POLICYMAKER’S GUIDE TO THE SUSTAINABLE INTENSIFICATION OF SMALLHOLDER CROP PRODUCTION

To feed a growing world population, we have no option but to intensify crop production. But farmers face unprecedented constraints. In order to grow, agriculture must learn to save. The challenge

 Green Revolution: a quantum leap in food production  depletion of agriculture’s natural resource base  farmers must double food production by 2050  intersecting challenges: climate change, competition for land, water, energy The challenge

 an ecosystem approach  produce more from the same area of land  conserve natural resources  reduce negative effects on the environment  enhance natural capital and flow of ecosystem services The challenge

 75 percent of undernourished live in rural areas  smallholders produce 80% of food  smallholders manage 80% of farmland  increased productivity - the key to increased food production, food security and income  key to achievement of Millennium Development Goals The challenge

Crop production intensification will be built on farming systems that offer a range of productivity, socio-economic and environmental benefits to producers and to society at large. Farming systems

 conservation agriculture practices  use of good seed of high-yielding adapted varieties  plant nutrition based on healthy soils  efficient water management  integrated pest management  integration of crops, pastures, trees, livestock

Agriculture must, literally, return to its roots by rediscovering the importance of healthy soil, drawing on natural sources of plant nutrition, and using mineral fertilizer wisely. Soil health

 soils rich in biota and organic matter  a mix of mineral fertilizers and natural sources  conservation agriculture, crop-livestock, agroforestry  remove incentives that waste fertilizer  transfer to farmers precision approaches

Farmers will need a genetically diverse portfolio of improved crop varieties that are suited to a range of agro-ecosystems and farming practices, and resilient to climate change. Crops and varieties

 genetic improvement: 50% of yield growth  increase support to PGR collection, conservation and use  revitalize public plant breeding programmes  link formal and farmer-saved seed systems  foster local seed enterprises

Sustainable intensification requires smarter, precision technologies for irrigation and farming practices that use ecosystem approaches to conserve water. Water management

 pressure on irrigation to reduce environmental impact  knowledge-based precision irrigation, deficit irrigation, wastewater-reuse  eliminate perverse subsidies that waste water  use improved, drought-tolerant varieties  management practices that save water

Pesticides kill pests, but also pests’ natural enemies, and their overuse can harm farmers, consumers and the environment. The first line of defence is a healthy agro-ecosystem. Plant protection

 resistant varieties, conserve predators, manage crop nutrient levels  clean planting material and crop rotations  manual weeding, minimized tillage, surface residues  lower risk synthetic pesticides for targeted control  farmer field schools, local production of biocontrol agents, strict pesticide regulations

To encourage smallholders to adopt sustainable crop production intensification, fundamental changes are needed in agricultural development policies and institutions. Policies and institutions

 minimum prices for commodities  “smart subsidies” for low-income producers  incentives to use natural resources wisely  reduce transaction costs of credit  rebuild research and technology transfer capacity  enhance skills through farmer field schools

“We all have a stake in saving our planet and ensuring that agriculture is able to grow and meet the challenges ahead.” Jacques Diouf Director-General, FAO