SMALL-FARMS-L Archives

Moderated e-mail conference on small farms and food security

SMALL-FARMS-L@LISTSERV.FAO.ORG

Options: Use Forum View

Use Proportional Font
Show HTML Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Reply To:
Date:
Fri, 6 Apr 2018 21:27:55 +0000
Content-Type:
multipart/alternative
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (2880 bytes) , text/html (5 kB)
Hi everyone,
here is the aggregated input received on topic #4 “How small farms address future challenges”
—Peter

Q4.1/10 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: Winnona Merritt <[log in to unmask]> (USA)
This is a reply on an earlier message (Q4.1/9) from Marta Czekaj in Poland, identifying “the lack of successors” as one of the main future challenges for small farms.

The same problem exists here in the USA - especially among minority populations with little financial resources.  If the owner does not make a will, the case goes to court, and although one descendant of a very large family may want to farm, the court sells to the highest offer which is seldom the family member.  Efforts have been made among African-American, Native American and Latino populations to encourage the creation of wills.

______


Q4.2/9 Question: "4.2.  To cope with these future challenges, do small farms require new innovations and adaptation techniques?  And if so, which?”

From: Ganesh Bora <[log in to unmask]> (USA)
I am Ganesh Bora, an Associate Professor of Precision Agriculture (PA) in Mississippi State University, USA. Recently I have completed a project involving small farmers in Bangladesh, India, Thailand and Vietnam to adapt Precision Agricultural Technology in small farms. As you know, PA is most advanced in USA and we are engaged in high decibel research with advanced technology. But those technology are not suitable for small farms. So, it is very important to emphasize on "Transfer of Concept", not transfer of technology. The concept which works in USA, should work in other countries or in small farms, provided the concept is understood.

For example, a large combine harvester for grain crops in USA is attached with a yield monitoring systems and it creates yield maps with georeferenced data. This yield map along with information on soil, topography and other information, a prescription map is prepared for variable rate application of chemicals, fertilizers, seeds and irrigation. But it is not possible for very small land holding in developing countries. The farmers in those areas can benefit from the same concept. He/she can go to the field before the harvest and note down on a piece of paper about the good spots and bad spots on the field. She/he knows about the field best and can analyze reasons for bad spots and act accordingly in the following year. The universities and research organization can develop technology based on the concept, suitable for the region.


########################################################################

To unsubscribe from the SMALL-FARMS-L list, click the following link:
https://listserv.fao.org/scripts/wa-fao.exe?SUBED1=SMALL-FARMS-L&A=1


ATOM RSS1 RSS2