Rethinking Agriculture: Agrobiodiversity for Sustainable Production Intensification
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There is now growing interest and movement in broadening the so called ‘modern agriculture’ paradigm to include practices that are biologically-driven and environmentally friendly. In fact, the industrial paradigm that has been promoted during much of the 20th century is running out of steam because the assumptions and practices upon which it is based no longer meet the overall needs of the society. To understand where we are in terms of agriculture development, where we have come from and where we need to go, some fundamental questions must be posed, namely: What is modern agriculture? What are some of its major consequences, and the underlying reasons for them? How well suited is modern agriculture for the future? Do we need to rethink some of our ‘modern’ attitudes and approaches to agriculture and to agrobiodiversity?
What is ‘modern’ agriculture?
Modern agriculture is the agriculture that is practiced by the developed industrialised nations. This agriculture is the outcome of the application of science and technology to traditional farming based on the dominant 19th century approach of industrialisation-led growth for development. The characteristics that were central to the industrial revolution in the manufacturing industry were applied to farming in the first half of the 20th century and led to standardisation, mechanization, the adoption of labour-saving technologies and the use of chemical inputs to feed and protect the crops. In the second half of the 20th century, this industrialization process was increasingly shaped according to the scientific formulations based on the use of the genetic potential of fewer crops and their cultivars for high yields together with heavy dependence on production inputs, increased energy and capital intensities backed up with market and trade driven globalization.
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A DEFINITION OF AGROBIODIVERSITY The variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms that are used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture, including crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries. It comprises the diversity of genetic resources (varieties, breeds) and species used for food, fodder, fibre, fuel and pharmaceuticals. It also includes the diversity of non-harvested species that support production (soil micro-organisms, predators, pollinators), and those in the wider environment that support agro-ecosystems (agricultural, pastoral, forest and aquatic) as well as the diversity of the agro-ecosystems. Source: FAO, 1999 |
