Nuestra vida depende de la agricultura, pero muchas de las prácticas agrícolas actuales son altamente insostenibles. La "revolución verde" se introdujo en la década de 1960 para aumentar la producción mundial de alimentos, lo que se consiguió pero a costa de agotar el sistema natural y la biodiversidad por el uso intensivo de insumos químicos y la agricultura industrializada.
Forzamos a la naturaleza a trabajar como máquinas, pero no tiene por qué ser así. En Rikolto ayudamos a nuestros socios a cambiar a la producción sostenible para conseguir un sistema alimentario más resistente e integrador.
La Cumbre de las Naciones Unidas sobre Sistemas Alimentarios, celebrada durante la Asamblea General de la ONU en septiembre de 2021, destacó la alimentación y la agricultura como un sector afectado por la crisis climática y una fuente importante de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI).[1] Según los datos de la FAO publicados en noviembre de 2021, el 31% de las emisiones de GEI causadas por el hombre se originan en los sistemas agroalimentarios del mundo. Esto supone un aumento del 17% desde 1990, cuando la población mundial era menor.[2]
Necesitamos un mundo natural próspero y ecosistemas sanos para cultivar alimentos nutritivos que alimenten a la creciente población y absorban las emisiones de carbono. Uno de los enfoques que Rikolto promueve en nuestra estrategia de producción sostenible es la práctica de la agricultura regenerativa.
La agricultura regenerativa es un método que pretende restaurar la biodiversidad del suelo degradado y reconstruir la materia orgánica del suelo, ayudando así a secuestrar el carbono atmosférico en el suelo y a mejorar la eficiencia hídrica.
So what does regenerative farming look like in practice? To better answer these, we sat with Nyoman Artha from Pasar Rakyat Bali, our Food Smart Cities partner since 2020. Pasar Rakyat is a social enterprise distributing fresh and organic produce from local farmers to urban customers in Bali at affordable prices.
Nyoman, why is it essential to switch to regenerative agriculture, and how do you implement that in Pasar Rakyat?
What we are trying to do now is to restore the agricultural land damaged by the use of chemical pesticides during the early 1970s in Indonesia. Since the green revolution, we have forced nature to do more than it can do.
Regenerative agriculture practices are all about how we protect and improve soil health. If the soil ecosystem is nurtured and balanced, we create a healthier foundation that can yield more nutritious crops that are free of harmful toxins.
It reduces the need for farmers to purchase costly fertilisers and pesticides, and they can charge higher prices for better quality crops, allowing them to profit from the environmental services.
Healthy soil works like a sponge that can capture and store more water, reduce soil erosion, and increase drought tolerance. Good soil also needs insects, worms, fungi, bacteria, and other living organisms that provide the foundation for soil to function properly, allowing it to take in, store, and deliver water to plants.[3] When we kill soil organisms with herbicides, the ground dries out quicker, requiring farmers to put more fertiliser to grow crops, which means a higher cost in farming.
At Pasar Rakyat, we do regenerative farming by first preparing the soil to foster a balanced ecosystem. We do this by minimising the intake of chemical substances that are difficult to decompose. Instead, we use more natural and sustainable options for fertiliser, anti-fungal treatment, and pest control, for example, by using fermented cow and goat manure that has the necessary microorganisms to break down organic substances.
We have "demonstration plot" where we train farmers to do sustainable farming cultivation. For example, we equip farmers with the knowledge to make organic fertiliser by utilising natural resources from their surroundings. By doing this, farmer groups are also integrating the circular economy concept, in which they reuse or recirculate resources to minimise agricultural waste. It helps reduce cost and provide farmers with additional income by selling high-quality organic fertilisers.
Multiple crops rotated in the field mimic natural ecosystems and enhance biodiversity, hence contributing to healthy soil. That's why we encourage farmers to implement intercropping techniques combined with crop rotation. For example, when we plant corn, we also plant chilli under it, so the chillies can grow when we harvest the corn. Therefore, over time, we don't need to till the soil because it is well designed. Monoculture doesn't exist in nature, only multicultural or multi-cropping.
By getting involved in this process, from planning to harvest, farmers can apply their knowledge at the sample garden, solve problems, and experience the benefits of sustainable farming, thus becoming more enthusiastic about exploring it themselves.
Currently, Pasar Rakyat has six sample gardens. One site in Catur, Badung Regency, covers an area of 40 acres. Five sites in Tamblingan, Buleleng Regency, are smaller scales with five acres per site. Through sample gardens, farmers can observe the difference between crops cultivated using conventional and sustainable treatments. We are collecting data and insight from our activities, including the process, advantages and disadvantages of each model, results, and continuity. Therefore, we can improve our approach and tools to better assist farmers.
Rikolto catalyses collective action among local food system actors to improve urban food environments and supply chains to ensure healthy and sustainable food for all citizens. As one of Rikolto's food smart cities partner, can you tell us more about Pasar Rakyat's involvement in stimulating urban food security?
We have a farm-to-table model, bringing premium organic foods to consumers directly from local farmers. Smallholder farmers are an integral part of the food value chain, but they face significant risks from climate change and daily risks from selling perishable products. If we can't build a better value chain that can reward farmers fairly and over the long term, fewer people will be interested in becoming farmers. The grand design of Pasar Rakyat is to develop an effective and innovative agricultural value chain that favours micro, small, and medium agribusinesses.
At the pre-production and production level, we equip farmers with the skills to cultivate crops that follow regenerative farming principles. We then buy their harvest twice a week regularly to package and distribute to consumers in the cities. We distribute them in three ways: selling for profit, without profit, and donating to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, farmers can earn a consistent income, while urban residents can access nutritious and safe food. We are committed to bringing consumers great products at the lowest price possible, fair-trade practices and cross-subsidising donation options to help provide space for all of us to share with those who cannot afford food.
Can you share one last concluding thought on regenerative farming?
With regenerative agriculture, each hectare of land can produce plants that are more resilient to the effects of climate change, such as drought, flood, and extreme weather. It has the potential to provide farmers with numerous benefits while also providing the world with healthier foods and a better planet to live in. The transition to regenerative farming will require a long-term commitment. It is essential to continue making progress that protects the resilience of farms and the future of food security.
Want to learn more or collaborate with us? Contact me!