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Workshop 2.3

Sustainable intensification for improved food security: are the challenges the same in Africa, Asia and Europe?

Convenor

John Dixon, ACIAR, Canberra, Australia

If you have any questions regarding this workshop, please turn directly to the convenor by sending an email.

Abstract

Given the challenges of feeding 9 billion while simultaneously lifting 1 billion out of poverty and food insecurity requires win-win approaches which will boost livelihoods and preserve or enhance resources. There are underlying principles shared across the European, African and Asian regions related to adpative management of small farms which challenge the often simplistic ideas of transferring the Green revolution from Asia to Africa.

Description

Inclusive sustainable development (ISD) requires a new set of principles and the combination and sequencing of practices to boost productivity in relation to scarce resources (more often labour or water rather than land) and to boost secure livelihoods. Conversely, the historical record for increasing smallholder productivity has been poor in many regions. This is the paradox of the 9 billion vs the 1 billion. There are underlying principles shared across the European, African and Asian regions related to adpative management of small farms which challenge the often simplistic ideas of transferring the Green revolution from Asia to Africa. The core elements relate to scale, intensification and diversification. One of the myths to be discussed will be the large commercial farm solution to food production which is sometimes promoted for Africa -- while producing enough food it is unlikely to reduce poverty. Hence, trade-offs lie at the heart of public policy making in relation to sustainable intensification.

Workshop process

One session, 3 hours

  1. Overview and challenges
  2. Intensification and diversification of small family farms in Europe -- lessons for other regions
  3. Sustainable intensification of maize legume farming systems in east and southern Africa
  4. Sustainable intensification of rice maize farming systems in eastern gangetic Plain
  5. Panel discussants
  6. Open discussion
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