Tue, 10 Apr 2018 13:56:13 +0000
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Hi everyone,
Here is the aggregated input we received on Topic #4 - "How small farms address future challenges"
--Peter
Q4.1/12 - Question -"4.1. Within your region, what are the three main challenges that small farms face in the future? Why? Are these different from past challenges? If so, why?"
From: Yoanna Ivanova <[log in to unmask]> (Bulgaria)
The main future challenges I see are:
- Shedding of production areas
- Climate change
- Changes in distribution channels
From: Boyko Doychinov <[log in to unmask]> (Bulgaria)
The main challenges I see are:
1. Deficit of skilled labor
2. High quality product requirements
3. Increasing competition at national and external markets
From: Sami Elhag <[log in to unmask]> (Sudan)
The main challenges are:
- Market fluctuation
- bank insolvency
- traditional agriculture
From: Sylvester Ayambila <[log in to unmask]> (Ghana)
I am Sylvester Ayambila, UDS, SALSA Ghana Team
The three main future challenges facing small farms in the Gushegu region (Ghana) include;
1. Loss of indigenous local seeds and implications on food security.
There is an increasing trend of use of improved crop varieties. Improved crop varieties have higher yields as compared to local seeds. However, improved seeds are not resilient as compared to local crops varieties. The local crops are relatively more resistant to crop diseases, pests and climate variability. Due to the increasing use of local improved seeds most farmers have lost the local seed varieties. In the future, farmers will depend solely on improved crop varieties and will have to import these seeds from America and Europe (In the case of Africa). This may create a food security crisis in the future if farmers are not able to obtain the necessary certifications and regulations to import seeds.
2. High cost of production and land degradation.
The increasing trend in the use of improved seeds has implication on cost of production and land degradation. Improved seeds are expensive and require the use of fertilizer and other agro-chemicals which add to the cost of production. When farmers plant improved seeds they must necessary add fertilizer to obtain good yields. The continuous use of agro-chemicals have long lasting effects on soil fertility and land degradation. In Africa and in particular, the Gushegu district, most farmers do not have adequate knowledge in the use of agrochemicals. Low level of education among farmers contribute to this menace. Disposal of waste agro-chemicals is a serious problem with consequences on health.
3. Lack of access to markets.
Farmers continue to produce crops without targeting markets. Farmers do not identify potential markets before production. The increasing trend of quality standardization will affect farmers markets. For example, there is a big rice processing rice mill situated not far from the Gushegu district but many farmers are not able to sell their produce to the rice mill due to variety and quality of rice. The improved varieties require timely and appropriate planting and harvesting with good agronomic practices which many of the farmers in the region find it difficult to comply with. The situation is further worsened by the lack of storage facilities in the region. Many farmers have to store their crop produce in their homes under deplorable conditions which affects the quality of the produce. It is important to note that many of the local consumers do not prefer the improved crop produce for other reasons (taste etc) and this further limit the market available. Farmers now faced the dilemma of having improved/high yields with reduce markets.
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Q4.2/12 - Question - "4.2. To cope with these future challenges, do small farms require new innovations and adaptation techniques? And if so, which?"
From: Yoanna Ivanova <[log in to unmask]> (Bulgaria)
The main ways I see to cope with the future challenges are:
- Attract manpower
- Climate change production techniques
- Co-operation to provide new distribution channels
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