This report examines the practicalities of moving towards more sustainable sugarcane production and is the result of an extended project investigating the introduction of sustainable sugarcane farming practices in the Mackay district of Queensland. A Scenario for Sustainable Sugarcane Farming - 2013 ad 10 Government and Growers — Policies and Practices 11 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 14.
Historical Practices of Value 6.4 Adoption Of Sustainable Practices
Reduced Income 8.2 Privatisation
Assignment/Peak Deregulation 8.4 Industry Expansion
Sources of Information on Farming Techniques 9.3 Institutional Interaction
Adoption
Project Process Review 112 10.2 Focus Groups 112
118 Project Review 118
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
Achieving A Sustainable Sugar Cane Industry - Can It Be Done?
In contrast, harvesting green cane reduces the risks of erosion by protecting the soils with a cover of crop residues (trash). Green cane harvesting is widely adopted in most cane growing regions of northern Australia, but not in the Mackay district.
A Scenario for Sustainable Cane Farming - 2013 ad
Economic sustainability, less exposure to toxic chemicals, cooperation with environmental needs and increased visual aesthetics of the region have brought the world back to agriculture.
Government And Growers — Policies And Practices
In its announcement of the sugar industry package, the Commonwealth states unequivocally: "All production expansion must be consistent with sustainable and best land management practices and be consistent with national priorities." The focus of the package on expansion is unfounded as the industry should focus on stability not expansion. Under contemporary policy conditions, this can only be justified if it is really aimed at improving the sustainability and environmental performance of the industry according to the government's own mandate.
Conclusions And Recommendations 1
What Does 'Sustainable Cane Farming' Mean?
Sustainability Planning And Education - Whose Responsibility?
As long as agricultural accounts do not account for land degradation by accounting for these gains or losses, then we cannot rely on any true measure of economic sustainability. That growers and associated financial and government agencies account for the use of natural assets through the technique of (bio)physical capital maintenance accounting (to complement modified economic cost and benefit accounting methods) to facilitate accurate resource accounting and assessment of viability, decision making and long-term planning and a reduction of land degradation.
Sugar Industry Planning
A bespoke research and development program is required and this would support the government's ESD policy and the commitment made to sustainability in the sugar industry package. That the industry addresses the need for substantial retraining of existing research and extension staff in sustainability principles and practice based on farmer-centered approaches.
Resource Barriers to Adoption of Sustainable Cane Farming
A successful transition to sustainable cane farming will require a better understanding of soil capacity in the Mackay area and appropriate fanning practices. There are a number of social conditions that present barriers to a sustainable farming culture in the Mackay region.
Institutional Barriers
Spreading the profits of agricultural input industries is not an appropriate orientation for publicly funded research or research organizations. Separating public and commercially funded research is important in clarifying the roles and purposes of the respective organizations.
Effective Research and Extension — Farmers First
It would require a broadening of the focus of R&D efforts to include many contemporary social and ecological challenges. To do this, there must be a significant increase in the application of social and ecological sciences to the research and extension of primary industries.
Regionalism, Centralism and ESD Strategy Planning
It is essential that ICM strategy planning is informed and disciplined by existing ecological knowledge and ESD principles. Without such review measures, clearly stated government commitments to underlying principles or alignment with existing strategies, there is a risk that regional/catchment strategies will be dislocated or inconsistent with state and national strategies/policies.
Landcare, landcare and Sustainable Agriculture
Literature Reviews
1 Definitions Of Sustainability For Agriculture: A Brief Review
Introduction
Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD)
Historical Evolution of the Concept
As a result of these processes, sustainable agriculture has received much more attention in recent years. In Queensland, sustainability was further explored with a scenario generating exercise producing key visions towards sustainable agriculture in 2000.
Definitions Of Agricultural Sustainability
Agriculture is essentially an ecological activity and the primary scientific basis for sustainable agriculture is ecology (Van der Sommen, 1989), but the focus on productivity has created agriculture that is more like an industrial process than an ecosystem (Soule & Piper 1992). Ecology and the ecosystem aspect can contribute a lot to sustainable agriculture, as their subjects of study are self-sustaining natural systems.
Sustainable agricultural systems seek careful and efficient use of natural resources such as land and water and must avoid pollution or depletion of the environment. Pest control is carried out using natural predators and parasites and internal biological controls based on good observation and knowledge of the pests.
The Cane Plant: Saccharum Officinarum
This chapter contains information from the literature on the sugar cane industry and did not result from consultation with growers. The information from the literature review was sent to the growers at the end of the first phase of the project. For example, growers' opinions on the sustainability of their sector were asked before they received this externally generated information.
Environmental Impacts of Cane Farming
- D e c l i n i n g Soil Q u a l i t y
Of soil eroded from cane fields, Prove (1991) estimates that more than 80% of the material remains in the drainage lines on the farm. They move out of the soil in the vapor state during hot, humid conditions and into the atmosphere.
Nutrient Pollution of the Great Barrier Reef
Hunter and Rayment (1990) conclude that there is anecdotal evidence that nitrogen and phosphate are entering coastal waters and affecting marine environments such as the Great Barrier Reef, and that these nutrients come from leaching and erosion of surface waters from agricultural areas. RCS Hassall (1992) concludes in their report to the QD P I Downstream Effects of Agricultural Practice Committee (DEAP) that: .. a) "Although there is a widespread perception that the Great Barrier Reef is threatened by" nutrients " there is virtually no research that can validate the accuracy of this perception.
Carbon Cycle/Nitrogen Cycle and the Greenhouse Effect
- Soil C o n s e r v a t i o n — E r o s i o n C o n t r o l
- Herbicidal Effect
- Implications for Millcrushing
The increased organic matter and protection of surface soil through litter retention leads to a. Litter layer organic matter is seen as more useful in limiting evaporation from the soil surface and providing the 'glue' of colloids to stabilize soil particles in the surface soil rather than dramatically increasing soil organic matter.
Fertility Management
- Fertiliser Use, Productivity and Minimising Waste
- Biological Nitrogen Fixation
Urea fertilizers added to litter at typical broadcast rates limited this biological nitrogen fixation. There is both great potential and an urgent need for further investigation of biological nitrogen fixation in connection with sugarcane plants.
Pest/Disease Management
- Borers
- Soil Pests and O r g a n i c Matter
- W e e d Control
Illingworth (1921) noted that direct predators of reed larvae included rodents, small mammals, birds, lizards and other insects. Species found in far north Queensland that feed on reed larvae include Leatherhead (Tropidorrhynchus spp), Yellow-bellied Figbird (Sphecotheres spp), Bluejay (Grancamelanops spp), Drongo (Chibia spp), Swamp Pheasant (Centropus spp), Crow, Ibis, Hawks, Starling, Kookaburra (Dacelo spp), Nightjars (Eurostopus spp), Mopoke (Podargus spp), Peewee Lark {Granllina spp) and Indian Myna (Aeridotheres spp).
Yield Decline
In a number of studies in South Africa (Dymond, 1994; Howard, 1943) it has been shown that under fertile, humus-rich conditions, sugarcane was not infected or recovered from stripe virus infection due to the presence of the described mycorrhizal partnership. above. Dymond also observed that where artificial fertilizers were applied, the mycorrhizal partnership was abandoned and the cane plants were again exposed to the disease.
Economics of Cane Farming Systems
- Trade
- Diversification a n d V a l u e A d d i n g - M u s h r o o m s a n d P i g s
As a result, traditional economic analyzes of the benefits of implementing sustainable practices are weak at best and misleading at worst. At the time of the grower hearing, financial conditions in the sugar industry were not good.
Other Sustainable Practices
Bagasse is currently mostly used for fuel in mills, but it can be used for higher purposes than just fuel. While bagasse has low nutritional value for animal feed, it can be used to grow mushrooms.
3 Mackay Sugar Cane Farming Systems
- The Study Area
- Mackay Region Cane Farming
- Land for Cane Farming
- Water and Irrigation
- Harvesting equipment
- QDPI Survey on Adoption of Sustainable Practices
- Material derived from consultation with growers in the Mackay Region
With only about 10% of available harvesting machinery adapted to green harvesting practices, the potential to expand green harvesting is closely linked to the Mackay industry's ability to take advantage of new equipment. The survey found that 3 1% of all reed areas have some form of soil conservation structure in place.
4 Agroecology Associates' Grower Consultation 4.1 Methodology
- Farmer Sample
- Survey Farm Characteristics
- Mackay Farming Systems
- Harvesting and Trash Management
- Fertility Management
- Water Management
- Pest/Disease Control
- Green/Burnt Harvest Practices
- Technical Feasibility
- Soil and Moisture Conservation Benefits
- Limits to Green Cane Harvesting
- Disadvantages, Real and Perceived
Without adequate drainage systems, erosion is a significant risk in the irregular and often heavy rains of the Mackay district. It appears that green harvesting was promoted in the Mackay region without sufficient attention to the importance of cane variety, soil type and drainage conditions.
5 Environmental Impact Survey
Important Local Environmental Issues
Off/On-farm Environmental Impacts
The Landcare Movement
6 Sustainable Practices
Unsustainable Practices
- Contouring
Green crop growers use irrigation to deposit broadcast fertilizers into the soil profile and to encourage naturally occurring fungal control of armyworms. Growers also use irrigation to flush out saline or acidic soils and stop the upward capillary movement of soil salts due to evaporation.
Historical Practices of Value
Adoption Of Sustainable Practices
Technically "Many are locked into joint harvester ownership or operation with old combines (not suitable for green harvesting)". In general, the growers interviewed believed that the shift to more sustainable sugarcane production is happening, but slowly and only among some of the farming community.
7 Social Issues
- Ethnic Elements
- Population Growth
- Social Change Over Time
- Agricultural Education
- Farmer Confidence in the Future
One third of growers believed that there was essentially no difference while another third commented that ethnic cane farmers often worked more and more as a family or within their own ethnic group. As each farm system was explained, it became clear that Mackay cane farmers possess a wealth of observational skills, intuitive skills, headquarters of trouser management strategies and a good practical understanding of what they are doing.
8 Economic Issues
- Reduced Income
- Privatisation
- Assignment/Peak Deregulation
- Industry Expansion
- Alternate Crops
- Yield Decline
At the time of the survey, approximately 50,000 ha of available assignment (new and existing) had not been taken up by producers. Government and industry marketers frequently made proposals for major expansion of the sugar industry within existing mill areas and into new areas such as the Burdekin, (the Sugar Industry Package being a classic example).
9 Institutional Issues
- Research/Advisory Services
- Sources of Information on Farming Techniques
- Institutional Interaction
- Report on Phase I and III: The Future and How We Get There
While local research and extension services seem to understand cane cultivation, farmers feel that they do not understand it as well as farmers. Although growers seem to seek information from research and advisory bodies, they believe that the actual adoption of new sustainable practices occurs mainly as a result of farmer-to-farmer communication, demonstrations and trials.
10 Scenarios Of Sustainable Cane Farming
- Project Process Review
- Focus Groups
- Focus Group Method The Mission Statement
- Focus G r o u p Mission Statements, Roughly sorted into paragraphs corresponding to social, economic and ecological sustainability
Approximately 80% of focus group participants were sugarcane farmers who had participated in the initial grower survey, contributing to continuity, and all benefited from the Phase I report. In working with the scenario topics, the participants were asked to focus on overarching and general principles that they would apply to the farm of the future, to establish desirable outcomes for particular issues/problems and to create potential long-term solutions.
11 Getting On With The Task-How Do We Get There From Here?
Project Review
Process
Perhaps the fact that we will still be growing sugar cane in fifty years is the only long-term evidence that we are moving towards sustainability. It also means that everyone will work to get their own house in order and that the past tendency to deflect responsibility ('reed farmers don't pollute the reef, urban sewage treatment plants are to blame') will no longer be useful.
Sustainability Indicators
Cooperating to grow cane sustainably
Based on the work of the previous phases, the groups were asked to consider what needed to be done, by whom, to create a sustainable cane industry in the future. They were also asked to consider what measurements, observations, trends or changes would be useful to monitor progress towards achieving the scenario's objectives.
Sustainability Indicators - a discussion
The second assumption implies that it is not the technical problems that will limit the increased sustainability in the short and medium term. History shows that farmers, researchers, and extension agents are excellent innovators who possess a significant ability to collaboratively solve technical problems.
Sustainability Indicators for the Sugar Industry
Synthesis Scenario- Common Visions From Mackay
Farming Operations: In actual on-farm techniques and approaches, sustainable sugarcane farming focuses on managing the throughput of organic matter and erosion control to maintain soil health. Increased organic matter throughput, drainage, reduced compaction and availability of irrigation have resulted in improved soil structure and reduced erosion.
Environmental Impacts
Economic Issues
Collaboration Map To Sustainability Cane Farming In Mackay
Research and extension organizations are seen as the most appropriate agents for collaboration towards increased sustainability. Governments were seen as having a role in channeling financial support through major infrastructure investments that benefit the whole community, such as the current Teemburra Dam proposal.
Strategies Inherent in Achieving Outcomes
Psychological health is correspondingly widely spread across the groups with the strongest responsibility in the local community where the interaction is strongest. Again, governments play a supportive role by indicating support for agriculture and consulting with the sugar industry rather than taking unilateral measures (such as removing tariffs).
Bibliography
Williams (1988) Evaluation of herbicide programs for green cane litter carpet situations, Proc Aust Soc Sugar Cane Technol: 139-146. Dick (1985) Current research on green cane harvesting and debris rejection by harvesters, Proc Aust Soc Sugar Cane Technol: 19-25.
