In Finland, the soil is particularly poor in Selenium and in the past, the population in Finland has had high levels of selenium deficiency. In 1984, the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry decided to implement selenium supplementation through fertilizers to increase the very low concentration of selenium in the nation’s food chain. Since the 1970s, the National Public Health Institute has been monitoring the blood selenium levels of the Finnish adult population.

The effects of this policy have been monitored and the amount of selenium that is added to fertilizers has been adjusted twice on the basis of research results.  In 1990, the program was so successful in raising the amount of selenium in plants and, consequently, the human selenium status that the higher application was removed. Today, the amount of selenium added to fertilizers is 10 milligrams per kilogram.

Since the selenium supplementation of fertilizers, the selenium levels of Finnish foods have clearly risen, which has consequently enhanced the blood selenium levels of the population. As a result, the consumption of Selenium is adequate, and a satisfactory selenium status in children and adults is appreciated.

The Finnish experience of selenium fertilization is unique in the world and demonstrates the safety, effectiveness and cost-efficiency of this practice to raise Selenium levels in a population.  Such a policy could be replicated in other countries where micronutrient deficiencies in soil are targeted. For example, in New Zealand and some mountainous regions of China, the amounts of Selenium in soils have also been found to be scarce.

Micronutrient supplementation through fertilizers in Finland demonstrates the importance of fertilizers as an effective agricultural tool to improve the nutritional health of people in many parts of the world. 

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One solution to tackle the problem of methane emissions from livestock manures is the natural process of anaerobic digestion, which breaks methane down into biogas. The NFU’s report promotes Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants as one of the most promising mitigation options for reducing GHG emissions from animal manures and slurries, alongside the potential to deliver low carbon energy and improved nutrient management.

NFU cited the following benefits of AD systems:

• Increase farm business profit by selling or using the energy produced
• Help to mitigate climate change by capturing methane
• Help to better manage manures and slurries

The NFU has been promoting biogas within the UK as a substitute for using fossil fuels either on the farm or for off-farm energy customers.

This initiative was provided by the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP).

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The Dutch National Public-Private program on Climate Research and Knowledge Infrastructure established an innovative program called ‘Spatial Planning and Climate Adaptation’ (ARK).  One of the projects that ensued was a three-phase initiative,  ‘Climate and Agriculture in Northern Netherlands’, which was set up to assess the impact of global climate change over time on agriculture and to identify the measures to be taken to damper its negative impacts.

In this project, farmers conducted a farm-level study of all the aspects of climate change and discussed the possible adaptation measures.  Numerous stakeholders were involved, spanning science, industry, business and policy, who collaborated closely with the farmers to assess scientific results against everyday practical experiences.

To predict the influence of the climate on market developments, the project tests agro-economic scenarios using four climate parameters that are like to make greatest impact on crops: temperature, humidity, wind and precipitation.

A comprehensive research programme was conducted to examine what the hindering factors for agriculture would be and what adaptation strategies could be taken.  The scenarios investigated suggested that most of the 15 crops tested would be challenged by future weather conditions, finding that potato, lily and onion were the most vulnerable.

These projected climate scenarios provide valuable insights on possible impacts of climate change in Europe and guide communities, farming businesses and policy makers identifying appropriate measures of adaptation to climate change.

This initiative was provided by the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP).

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An IFAP case study reports that several projects have been undertaken in Albania to stop further land degradation. Many Albanian female farmers have implemented good agricultural practices to maintain soil productivity, conserve water and lower production costs by practising crop rotation, intercropping, composting, selection of resistant varieties and using effective irrigation systems.

Farmers of 25 communes in remote areas have recently received payments from the World Bank Bio Carbon Fund as an incentive to manage and care for their forests, helping to preserve ecosystems.

Further projects include afforestation, improvement of irrigation systems and a democratic-approach to involve farmers, particularly women, in the decision-making processes of agro-environmental policy making.

For more information, visit http://www.ccalb.org/

This initiative was provided by the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP).

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Rémi Kahane – CIRAD and Global Horticulture Initiative (GlobalHort)

The case of horticulture is of special relevance to exemplify the key role of information in the development of public-private partnerships. Horticultural produce is highly perishable and needs careful and rapid handling after harvest. Access to focused and up-to-date technical and marketing information is crucial. Small-scale holders and entrepreneurs need to manage the risk, and information flow is one of the best management tools. However, horticulture is diverse, communities are fragmented, and information is not easy to access.

GlobalHort has initiated information management activities in the vegetable seed sector for several years already. In 2008 with the Asian-Pacific Seed Association it organized a round table on vegetable farming technology in tropical Asia. Representatives of seed companies and ministries of agriculture agreed upon an action plan to be followed up by APSA and GlobalHort to enable vegetable industry to develop at the regional level. Improved information flow was advocated on both parts.

The first requested flow of information will be focused on the needs of end users (producers) and beneficiaries (consumers). There is a clear task to establish terms of reference, to identify what is the challenge. These needs can address technical or organizational issues. If the challenge is only established by the private sector, it will sound like a marketing study. Such a phase implies close connection with those end users, which is something the industry rarely does. The next phase refers to capacities for translating the needs into technological and economical issues, to make the challenge realistic. This is the role of innovation partners, including research, development, expertise etc.; however, in a participatory approach where information is circulating. Whatever the relevance of an innovative concept, making it popular is crucial for its adoption; it is essential to convince NGOs, policy makers and international organizations. They will create an enabling environment, sometimes competing with purely financial interests.

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Operation Pollinator is a 5-year EUR 1 million program, launched by Syngenta in July 2009, to provide essential habitat and food sources for pollinating insects across Europe. The project aims to boost the numbers of pollinating insects in order to protect biodiversity and improve crop yields and crop quality.

The programme is based on the success of Operation Bumblebee in the UK where, within three years, the project increased bee populations up to 600%, increased butterfly population 12-fold, increased other insects by more than 10-fold and helped contribute to the regeneration of rare species.

Operation Pollinator is currently being run in France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the UK.  The project uses scientific research findings to develop site-specific ways of creating habitats alongside the working farming environment. Additionally, careful site planning and management can significantly reduce soil erosion and help to protect valuable water resources from soil and nutrient degradation.

This initiative shows how farmers have an important role to play in maintaining natural habitats and other ecosystem services to protect biodiversity.

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Two UN groups are teaming up to help identify and respond to areas likely to be impacted by food shortages in the future.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has agreed to share data concerning floods, hurricanes, mudslides, drought and other forms of severe weather with the World Food Programme (WFP).

This information can help the WFP provide better and faster assistance to those living in areas impacted by climate-related disasters:

Severe weather, brought on by climate change, has a direct impact on people’s food security. Floods, hurricanes, mudslides, drought and other weather events destroy crops, homes, and lives – increasing hunger among the world’s poorest people.

Climate change is accentuating the suffering caused by political and economic instabilities in many countries.

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Research has shown that regions with zinc-deficient soils often produce poor crop yields and widespread zinc deficiency in humans. This was the case in Central Anatolia in Turkey. In 1993, a research project found that yields could be increased by 6 to 8-fold and children nutrition dramatically increased through zinc fertilization.

Through a partnership with Cukurova University, the state and the private company TOROS Agri Industry Group, zinc was added to fertilizers. While the product was initially made available at the same cost, the results were so convincing that Turkish farmers significantly increased the use of the zinc-fortified fertilizer (1 per cent of zinc) within a few short years, despite the repricing of the products to reflect the added value of the content.

Today, nearly 10 years after the identification of the zinc deficiency problem, the total amount of zinc-containing compound fertilizers produced and applied in Turkey reached a record level of 300,000 tonnes per annum. It is estimated that the economic benefits associated with the application of Zn-fertilizers on Zn deficient soils in Turkey is around US$ 100 million per year. Zinc deficiency in children has been dramatically reduced.

Such a policy could be easily replicated around the world in the many zinc-deficient countries. In fact, one-third of the world population is at risk of zinc deficiency, which affects physical growth, the functioning of the immune system, reproductive health and neurobehavioral development, among others.

Preventive zinc supplements are important in reducing infant morbidity from diarrhea and pneumonia. Zinc fertilization is now recognized as a promising strategy to address zinc deficiencies in humans.

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For example, the use of air induction nozzles, which mix air with the spray liquid, can reduce water volumes used from 1,500-2,000 liters with conventional sprayers to 200-800 litres.

If the water-based sprays are combined with high precision application nozzles, water use can be brought to 10-50 liters per hectare.

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The results were very positive: in fields where skylark plots had been made, skylark fledglings increased by 49% .

No-till also helps protect food sources for birds and other wild animals  because the waste grain is not buried and this provides a good food source for many animals. The mulch resulting from the cover crops is also rich in insects and worms, an important food source for wildlife.

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