“Hybrid systems” developed by smallholders as an...

““Hybrid systemsHybrid systems”” developed by developed by smallholders as an underutilized smallholders as an underutilized

resourceresource

Miguel Miguel PinedoPinedo Vasquez, Vasquez, Scientific Coordinator of PLECScientific Coordinator of PLEC

The global challenge of rural The global challenge of rural developmentdevelopment

provide food security

reduce rural poverty

reduce environmental degradation

stem the erosion of biological diversity

Two paths to achieving global goals:

Apply modern technologies and systems that have succeeded in industrialized countries

Use “traditional” systems and technologies

Some problems with applying industrialized country solutions

Tools and other inputs are expensive and most farmers can not afford them

Modern systems are mainly developed for the production of a single crop and this exposes poor farmers to unacceptable risks

Small farmers often farm areas unsuitable (slopes, flood-prone lands, etc.) for farming with developed country technologies

Problems with “traditional” systems.Many view traditional systems as:

low-yielding, inefficient

antiquated, bound by tradition

non-adaptive and non- adaptable when facing economic, social, and environmental change

The result of these assumptions:The result of these assumptions:

• reluctance of development and conservation communities to incorporate local agricultural practices

• the most important, available, resource of rural communities— knowledge—continues to be underutilized

What solutions does PLEC offer?

We identify, test, and promote locally-developed “hybrid” systems that combine traditional knowledge and approaches with new knowledge, technologies, tools, and

economic understanding

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fields h.gardens forests others

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“Hybrid” technologies help farmers to deal with environmental changes

Average income made by 22 families from 1998 a 2000, Iquitos, Peru

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“Hybrid” systems help farmers to deal with market changes and oportunities

Price fluctuation of cassava per hours in the markets of Macapa, Brazil in February, 2002

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Average number of agriculture products sold by 15 families in the markets of Macapa, Brazil in five years (1998 - 2002)

Changes in rural development

priorities at global, regional and national

levels

Coffee economy collapsed in Kenya

Some examples of “hybrid” technologies and systems developed by farmers

A “hybrid” biodiversity-friendly and profitable system

for timber and food production in Tanzania

A system that integrates modern forestry with traditional farming practice

New tree species (including some exotic trees)New planting patterns recommended by forestersRecreates traditional patterns for cultivating wild vegetables and crops

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trees crops wild veg

New locally-developed seed

storage technologies

using waste oil developed by caboclos in

Brazilian Amazonia

Colheita e armazenamento

Milho no tijuco ou lama

Faça como o Sr. Minerval e aD.Chica e o Sr.Raimundo e aD.Alcilene (Marirana):Procure quebrar o milho quandoestiver na época de noite escura,sem luar.Isso ajuda a afugentar osgorgulhos!

Colheita:Como saber que está na horacerta de colher o milho?“Quando vai secando,vermelhando as folhas daárvore e a espiga também vãoficando vermelhinha” (D. Chica-Marirana)

Logo após a colheita:

Fazer o atilho. Como? Pega-se 2 espigas, retira -sealgumas palhas deixandooutras para proteção eamarra-se uma na outra.

Atilho

25 atilhos = 1 mão = 50 espigas

E D. Guinelina (Marirana)avisa: Não se esqueçamde amarrar as pontas decada milho, pois é por aíque entra o gorgulho!

Para armazenar:D.Alcilene, D.Chica, D.Guinelina(Marirana) e D.Luzia (Aiucá)recomendam:Se for guardar o milho para semente,você deve guardar no sol ou nofumaceiro (do fogão à lenha, porexemplo). Isto também ajuda aafastar os gorgulhos!

D.Guinelina com seu milho no sol Milho no fumaceiro

Dicas para se guardar o milho para semente e para criação:

Average time of storing corn, bean and peanut seeds using the “hybrid” system and other methods by 25 families (1998-2002)

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corn beans peanuts

hybrid systemother

These hybrid systems help smallholders deal with changes produced by unstable markets, shifting national policies, and

global trends

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These systems can raise rural incomesThese systems can raise rural incomes::Average annual income (US$) made from Average annual income (US$) made from

managed fallows using a “hybrid” managed fallows using a “hybrid” agroforestryagroforestrysystem promoted by PLEC in Brazilsystem promoted by PLEC in Brazil

PLEC facilitates the spread of these innovative hybrid

technologies and systems that combine modern and traditional production knowledge and inputs

through a tested set of “demonstration” activities

How does PLEC work?How does PLEC work?

PLEC identifies the “expert farmers,” developers of innovative practices and

incorporates them and their communities into rural research,

demonstration, and outreach

PLEC uses a great variety of demonstration approachesPLEC uses demo sites in the landholdings of expert farmers to facilitate the exchange of knowledge among farmers

PLEC dissemination methods are tested and effectivePLEC dissemination methods are tested and effectiveFamilies that adopted the expert farmer “hybrid” agriculture sysFamilies that adopted the expert farmer “hybrid” agriculture system after tem after

participating in demonstration activities in 6 communities, Ghanparticipating in demonstration activities in 6 communities, Ghanaa

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practicingnon-practicing

PLEC provides a unique network for PLEC provides a unique network for SouthSouth--South cooperation and SouthSouth cooperation and South--

North twinning arrangementsNorth twinning arrangements

Collaboration between 19 institutions

6 PLEC clusters in 12 highly biodiversecountries

Results of PLECResults of PLEC

• More appropriate local development

• Enhanced well-being of rural families

• Pro-poor environmental conservation

Results of PLEC: Results of PLEC: environmental benefitsenvironmental benefits

• Lowering use of chemicals

• Increasing use of local varieties and the value of agrodiversity

• Using sustainable production methods that maintain ecosystem function

The future of PLECThe future of PLEC

PLEC is now focussed on mainstreaming its approaches into national and international

policies and training institutions to bring such benefits to a wider sample of projects, countries,

and communities

ConclusionsConclusions

• ”Expert" farmers and their “hybrid systems” offer local solutions to some of the most pressing problems of poverty and environmental degradation

• PLEC offers a sustainable future to agricultural communities worldwide