A Feasibility Study on the Application of

GREEN TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE

AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT: Assessing the
policy impact in selected APCAEM-member countries
Gunjan Gautam
Kathmandu, Nepal
Background
Green Technology (GT) - environmental healing technology that
reduces environmental damages, which contributes to both
poverty reduction and sustainable agricultural development.
The study accommodates MDGs 3 goals, eradicate extreme poverty
and hunger (G1); promote gender equality and empower women
(G3); and ensure environmental sustainability (G7).
The study heavily focuses on environmental concerns and
increasing demand for green production for raising income and
achieving sustainable agricultural development.
Objectives
Identifying appropriate technology suitable for income
generation through sustainable agriculture;
Examining the impact and implications of national
policies on GT;
Diagnosing policy-level impact of GT on rural income
generation under the sustainable agricultural
development framework;
Reviewing the challenges and available policy options
for the adoption of GT
Green Technology and Their Interlinkages
Technology for environment-friendly agriculture
Agriculture technology and poverty reduction
Green Technology and rural environmental concern
Income generation especially of farmers
Linking gender dimension
Green Technology and Their Interlinkages
Technology for Environment-Friendly
Agriculture
As good agricultural land is already farmed, the natural resource
availability for further farming expansion is exhausted.
Worldwide urbanization, higher costs of energy, population growth
that damage environment have necessitated the development of
technology-driven energy and cost efficiency mechanism.
Need is to achieve sustainable agriculture that obtain higher yield and
increase income without affecting the environment.
Green Technology and Their Interlinkages (Cont.)
Agriculture Technology and Poverty Reduction
Major cross country analysis (Thirtle et al., 2001) shows, on average,
every 1% increase in agricultural yield reduce number of people living
on less than U.S.$1 a day by 0.83%.
It is a challenge to sustain and expand agriculture sectors unique
poverty-reducing power in terms of increased production and
decreased average cost.
Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals environmental
health; economic profitability; and social and economic equity.
Among the available technologies such as organic agriculture,
biotechnology etc., the challenge is to decide suitable, affordable, and
competitive technology.
Green Technology and Their Interlinkages (cont)
Green Technology and Rural Environmental Concern
Against massive environmental degradation, the challenge is to
ensure peoples right to food security by guaranteeing that present
and future generations have equal access to the capital, human and
natural resources.
Adequate allocation of resources is necessary to channel science &
technology into rural areas for encouraging farmers to replace the use
of chemical pesticides and fertilizers through organic farming.
As ecologically sound farm management practices rely on low levels of
inputs, indigenous knowledge, and appropriate technologies, skill on
agro-ecology for sustainable yield should be imparted.
Green Technology and Their Interlinkages (cont)
Income Generation Especially of Farmers
Improvements in agricultural technology can have significant impact
on long-term growth (world agriculture has met food needs of a six
fold increase in world population over past 200 years).
The GT is technology that supports yield-increase per hectare,
releases labor for employment in non-farm sector, and helps in
increasing farmers income. With such considerations independent
inputs, processes and services, projects, etc can represent
technological interventions.
ICRISAT shows that the addition of boron and sulphur in soil has resulted
in 28 to 70% increase in yields in Indian states.
Mobile-lady in Bdesh who provides door-to-door service for testing of
water pH to find out status of shrimp pond also helps crop cultivators in
soil pH testing .
Watershed development as a model for integrated genetic and natural
resource management has improved rural livelihoods in drought-prone
areas.
Green Technology and Their Interlinkages (cont)
Linking Gender Dimension
Much of womens labor is unpaid in the APCAEM region
where informal sector activities are ignored in national
economic statistics.
The policy support to improve the efficiency of women's
involvement in such diversified areas is inadequate.
A proper understanding of gender dimensions with
regards to the need for involving women as a leader and
professional in the transfer of new technologies and
practices should be recognized.
Methodology
Based on both primary and secondary sources of information
Feasibility study attempts to identify the gaps, if there are
any, in the application of Green Technology and attempts to
justify their feasibility based on the results from experiments
and experiences with concerned technology.
Recommendations are largely based on qualitative methods
and on an operational definition of sustainability using
priority indicators.
The review of selected regulatory measures in the selected
countries is made to find out their strength and weaknesses
to facilitate GT initiative.
Methodology (Cont)
Selection of Technology
Technology has been selected on the basis of
criteria suggested by Robert C. Wicklein i.e.
System independence
Image of modernity
Individual vs collective technology
Cost of technology
Risk factor
Evolutionary capacity of technology
Single purpose vs multiple purpose technology
Methodology (Cont)
Situation analysis
Situation analysis of selected technology have
been carried out on the basis of
Current performance
Policy
Cost benefit analysis
Performance indicators
Status of GT in APCAEM member countries
(India, Malaysia, Nepal)
Demand for high value crop is increasing but high
transaction cost and conditionality have undermined
gains from trade.
Absence of appropriate technology has reduced
scope of gains from trade.
Misuse of modern farming input has created
environmental problem.
So challenge is to achieve agricultural growth
through GT
Status of GT in APCAEM member countries
(India, Malaysia, Nepal) (Cont)
Attempt is being made to promote GT in
APCAEM member countries
Malaysia has recognized and is promoting
renewable energy as fifth fuel.
Nepal has biotechnology policy which focuses
food security and poverty alleviation
India has invested large amount of money for
R&D of GT
Status of GT in APCAEM member countries
Feasible Green Technologies
A. Solar Photovoltaic
Provides clean decentralized electricity production option.
The new generation of solar energy can be one of the most
affordable and efficient energy sources in the future.
Daily Solar Incidence
India4-7 kWh per square meter
Malaysiahigh by world standards.
Nepalhas become reliable source of energy in rural areas
Status of GT in APCAEM member countries
Feasible Green Technologies (Cont)
B. Wind Energy
India estimates total wind generation capacity
of 45,000 MW
In Nepal river corridors have been observed to
have high wind potential
In Malaysia the availability of wind resource
varies with location.
Status of GT in APCAEM member countries
Feasible Green Technologies (Cont)
C. Biofuel
Both Malaysia and India have already started to produce
biofuel feedstock.
Nepal has announced through budget speech of 2008/09
to produce such feedstock
D. Biogas
India's biogas potential is estimated to be 12 million biogas
plants
Nepal carries the potential of 1.9 million biogas plants.
In Malaysia Palm Oil Mill Effluent can generate 177 MW
Status of GT in APCAEM member countries
Feasible Green Technologies (Cont)
E. Micro and Small Hydropower
Hydropower plants ranging from maximum capacity
of 500 kW in Nepal to 25 MW in India
Small hydropower potential approximating 15,000
MW exists in India.
Hydropower potential of Nepal is believed to be
42000 MW.
In Malaysia hydropower potential of 25000 MW was
identified till the end of 2001
Status of GT in APCAEM member countries
Feasible Green Technologies (Cont)
F. Biomass
India estimates biomass availability of 600
million tons from agriculture and forest
residues
Malaysia's biomass based energy generation
capacity was reported 488 MW in 2000
Improved Cooking Stoves in Nepal is very
successful and it uses biomass.
Status of GT in APCAEM member countries
Feasible Green Technologies (Cont)
G. Solar Thermal, Improved Water Mill,
Geothermal Energy
The Tenth Plan in India pledged to install 1005000 sq. m
solar water heating systems and 162000 solar cookers of
which 995000 sq. m and 70978 were installed respectively.
Improved Water Mills in Nepal have made milling efficient
(up to 3kW can be generated) and reliable. 25,000
traditional mills are still in operation in Nepal.
Seventy-nine geothermal manifestation areas have been
identified in Malaysia.
Status of GT in APCAEM member countries
Feasible Green Technologies (Cont)
H. Bio Transgenics
Most transgenic technologies are in research and
development and comprehensive results have not
been ascertained.
India is producing BT Cotton
Malaysia has empanelled biotechnology as one of
the drivers of new agriculture in the Tenth
Malaysian Plan.
Status of GT in APCAEM member countries
Feasible Green Technologies (Cont)
I. Organic Farming
National Planning Commission of India in 2000
recognized organic farming as a thrust area.
In Nepal preliminary drafts of organic
certification policies and procedures have been
developed.
Status of GT in APCAEM member countries
Feasible Green Technologies (Cont)
J. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Food and Agriculture Organization led Inter Country
Programs (IPC) for IPM Farmer Field Schools (FFS) in Asia,
national IPM programme in Indonesia (1989- 2000), and
national projects of smaller scales in Bangladesh,
Cambodia, China, and Nepal.
In Malaysia IPM with FFS approach never got operational.
In India most of IPM activities are funded from the
government budget.
In Nepal despite initial incertitude between 1997 and 2001
some 8,600 farmers participated in IPM through FFS.
Status of GT in APCAEM member countries
Feasible Green Technologies (Cont)
H. Information and Communication Technology
(ICT)
ICT has important role to promote GT
The Government of Nepal's Information and Technology
Act 2004 supports ICT intervention for agricultural
development and environmental management
Ninth Malaysian Plan commits to use of ICT for providing
access to market and trading information.
Case Studies Nepal
Biogas
Nepal- Biogas
Biogas is product of anaerobic digestion of organic
matter by methanogenic bacteria.
Biogas can serve to meet energy requirements for
cooking, lighting, refrigeration, electricity generation,
and internal combustion engines.
Biogas Support Programme (Phase I-IV) has been
instrumental in promotion of biogas in Nepal.
Successful biogas sector of Nepal is the result of a
consolidated effort of public and private
stakeholders; and donor agencies.
Nepal- Biogas
Sustainability and Biogas
Biogas- Nepal
Biogas and Poverty Reduction
Biogas creates impact on poverty through
reduced health and sanitation problem, time
saving and increase in income level.
90% Nepali household with biogas plant had
proper toilets as compared to 60% of non-biogas
household.
Biogas- Nepal
Poverty Reduction Impact of Biogas
Biogas-Nepal
Biogas and Rural Environment
Net greenhouse gas saving per digester in Nepal (tCO2/biogas plant/year
Biogas-Nepal
Biogas and Income Generation to Farmers
Biogas increases income through
Increased agricultural productivity
As a substitute for fuel wood and
commercial fuel
Reduced health cost
Biogas-Nepal
Biogas and Gender Issue
Average time allotted to different biogas related activities before and after
installation of biogas plant
Biogas-Nepal
Summary of Cost and Benefit
Agroforestry-Nepal
Growing trees on farm is common practice in
Nepal.
Agrosilvoanimal (Farm forestry and Slope
agriculture land technology) and
Agrosilviculture (shifting cultivation and
Taungya) are the best-practiced systems of
agro forestry in Nepal
Agroforestry is integral part of Nepalese
agriculture.
Agroforestry-Nepal
Agroforestry and Sustainability
Inter linkages of agro forest, agriculture, households, and livestock
Agroforestry-Nepal
Agro-forestry and environment-friendly agriculture
Agro-forestry helps to improve the soil fertility
Agro-forestry livestock biogas environment
friendly agriculture.
Agro forestry, Income generation to farmers and
poverty reduction
Increased food production through improved soil quality;
Diversifies sources - selling tree by-product such as fruits,
wood and other forest product extracted from agro-forest;
Diversifies sources - selling livestock product such as milk,
meat etc.
Agroforestry-Nepal
Agro forestry, Income generation to farmers and
poverty reduction
Net benefit from forestry alone, agriculture alone and
agroforestry
Agroforestry-Nepal
Agroforestry and Rural Environment
Agro-foestry has very high potential for carbon
sequestration.
Agro forest can control the erosion problem.
Agroforestry increases biodiversity that may be
useful, besides other benefit, to reduce pest
attack in the crops.
Tall trees may act as wind blocks to shelter
harvestable crops, reduce wind erosion and delay
the attack of desertifying sands.
Agroforestry-Nepal
Agro forestry and Gender Issues
Nepalese rural woman have very high workloads
due to responsibility in both farm and household.
Women spent more than three-fourth of
household time collecting forest products.
Adoption of agrofoestry will reduce time required
for all these activities and increase welfare of
women.
Agroforestry-Nepal
Summary of Cost & Benefit
INDIA: Biofuel- Jatropha
Indias energy demand is expected to grow at an annual rate
of 4.8 per cent over the next couple of decades.
The continuous fluctuations in oil price and the non-
renewable character of fossil fuel is a problem.
Biofuel could be the possible solution as it
Reduces the problem of global warming.
Creates new markets and products for farmers.
Is renewable in nature; reduces fear of energy crisis.
Gives a local alternative to monopolized fossil fuel market.
INDIA: Biofuel- Jatropha
Some problems of biofuel are
High quantity of feedstock is required for
producing less fuel
Biofuel feedstock may reduce production of food
grain
Poor people may suffer- being excluded from the
benefits and subjected to higher food prices
Experts have suggested use of marginal land
for feed stock production
Jatropha can be grown in marginal land
INDIA: Biofuel- Jatropha
Jatropha
Can grow even in saline, marginal and infertile
soil.
Requires little maintenance that in turn reduces
cost of production.
Productivity is also high.
Repels other animals and insects.
INDIA: Biofuel- Jatropha
Jatropha and environment-friendly agriculture
Reduces use of fertilizer and pesticide
Reduces emission of green house gasses
Maintains the soil fertility
Reduces soil erosion
INDIA: Biofuel- Jatropha
Jatropha and poverty reduction
In India, out of 142.81 millions hectares of net sown area, only 55.05
millions hectares area is irrigated
19 millions hectares area is barren and uncultivable
13 million hectares area is cultivable wasteland
Land availability for Jatropha production is high in India.
If 13 million hectare area of wasteland is used for Jatropha production
and one man is employed per hectare then 13 million new jobs will be
created.
Biofuel sectors requires approximately fifty percent less investment
than petroleum sector to create one additional employment.
INDIA: Biofuel- Jatropha
Jatropha and Rural Environment
Doesn't require pesticide, insecticide, fertilizer
and irrigation.
No adverse impact on soil, land and water.
No negative impact on forest and biodiversity.
Improves the soil quality of saline and wasteland
and stops desertification.
INDIA: Biofuel- Jatropha
Jatropha and Income Generation to Farmers
A farmer can produce up to 3.25 ton/hectare Jatropha seeds per year;
With current market price a farmer can make INr 18750
This amount is less than income from sugar cane
But it is profitable because
Production cost is negligible
Can be produced in marginal land whose opportunity cost is
almost zero
Jatropha and Gender Issue
Jatropha requires less intensive labor
Women can carry out most of the agricultural work
INDIA: Biofuel- Jatropha
Government's Policy on Jatropha
"India needs to grow Jatropha to tackle dry land and generate bio-diesel.
- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
India has announced National Bio-diesel Mission.
Government has decided to use Jatropha seed as the
feedstock for biodiesel
Phase I-
Cultivate 400,000 hectares with Jatropha
Establish seed collection and oil extraction centres
Sustaining expansion of the programme leading to the
production of bio-diesel to meet 20 per cent of the countrys
diesel requirements by 2011-12.
INDIA: Biofuel- Jatropha
Summary of Cost & Benefit
INDIA: Biofuel- Jatropha
Evaluation of Technology for Adoption
MALAYSIA : Biomass
Major concern in Malaysia is to reduce
overdependence on exhaustible sources of
energy.
Major contributor of biomass is palm oil
industry.
Production of biomass is possible throughout
the year because of high sunlight and high
rainfall. Government supports use of biomass
for energy generation.
IMPACT OF GREEN TECHNOLOGY
On promoting green practices
Green Technology Initiative (GTI) has been
launched in London
77% U.S. voters believe America has not done
enough to facilitate green practices
China has been aggressively involved in the
development of environmentally friendly farming
practices
IMPACT OF GREEN TECHNOLOGY
(cont.)
On Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Income, and
Poverty Reduction
Non-sustainable land use practices contribute to
low agricultural productivity and poverty
Agriculture technology offers opportunities for
raising food grain production
Impact of climate change on agriculture needs to
be given due consideration by facilitating green
technology.
IMPACT OF GREEN TECHNOLOGY (cont.)
On Contributing to Income Generation through Ecological
Agriculture and Rural Renewable Energy
Energy improves productivity, creates employment and
increases income.
Choosing the appropriate alternative energy technology is
very important.
Renewable energy technology has been the best
substitute for improving the quality of life of rural
households.
Crops planted using conservation tillage practices have
helped retain carbon in the soil.
Shift from the traditional environmental policy towards
ecological modernization through green technology is
necessary.
National Policies for GT: Impact,
Implication and Challenges
Nepal
Neither separate nor umbrella policy has been promulgated.
Latest periodic plan (TYIP) contains disaggregated objectives towards
GT
Agriculture policy: Conserve, promote and utilize agricultural
biodiversities through the development and dissemination of
environment friendly technologies.
NAP 2005: Promote organic farming
Rural Energy Policy 2006: Covers small and micro-hydro project,
biogas, biofuel and biomass gasification, solar energy, wind energy,
improved cook stove, rural electrification, etc.
Subsidy Policy for Renewable (Rural) Energy,2006: Allots subsidies for
system that are delivered through pre qualified companies.
Technology transfer is highly dependent on provision of subsidy.
National Policies for GT: Impact,
Implication and Challenges
India
New and Renewable Energy Plan
Electricity Act
Renewable Energy Act
Through these provisions India aims to meet 20
percent of countries total requirement of energy
from renewable sources by 2020 .
Also interesting are policies on bio-fuel, bio-diesel
(National Bio-diesel Mission) and bio transgenic
(Plant Variety Protection Act).
National Policies for GT: Impact,
Implication and Challenges
Malaysia
New energy policy (5th Fuel Policy) - Five Fuel
Diversification Policy.
Aims to reduce the dependency on petroleum product
through use of alternative sources of energy.
Malaysian government expects to increase oil palm by 5.5
percent during the Ninth Plan
Malaysias National Biotechnology Policy reflects
Malaysias ambitions with biotechnologies.
Challenges and Opportunities
Complex task is to strike a balance between environmental
and business concerns.
APCAEM countries need to immediately prepare themselves
for need-specific alternative technologies.
It would be extremely difficult to sustain the current high per
capita rate of energy consumption without using renewable
sources.
It will be difficult for the developing countries to make
financial as well as political commitment.
Renewable and environmentally-friendly energy resources
are necessary for replacing fossil fuels.
Illiteracy of the farmers
Challenges and Opportunities
(Cont)
Land acquisition and infrastructure problems
associated with bio fuel, solar and hydropower plant.
Energy price agenda needs to be revised to
encourage the implementation of Climate Change
Convention under the current prices of oil.
Development of innovative, appropriate and efficient
information and communication systems
Global consensus in accepting climate change as a
constraint to development.
Conclusion
When used correctly agro-environment-friendly
technology has promoted sustainable agricultural
growth and reduced widening rural-urban income
disparities.
GT in the reviewed countries has mostly minimized
environmental hazards and made farmers more
productive through enhanced efficiency.
Sustainable agriculture is resource conserving;
environmentally non-degrading; technically
appropriate; and economically and socially
acceptable.
Conclusion (Cont)
If the policies on food security and income
generation fail to address poverty and malnutrition,
application of green technology will remain
incomplete.
Understanding of Information technologies and
their inter-linkages with agricultural sector is vital for
evaluating the strength of pro-poor and
environment-friendly agricultural technology.
Interlinkages of technologies with society should be
deliberated in advance to access their roles in
achieving the expected outcomes.
Recommendation
The simultaneous improvement in agricultural
productivity, employment creation, and promotion
of renewable energy is the only answer.
Design effective communication packages to create
awareness.
Community level application of GT such as wind and
solar energy.
Supportive public-private investment policy for the
development of GT is recommended.
Recommendation (Cont)
Regarding biofuel, Governments should balance between
food crop and fuel crop using policy instruments.
Government should provide technical assistance to create
human resource for supporting technology transfer.
Removal of subsidies on pesticides, decoupling staple food
production from pesticides, strong coordination between
national and international agencies and diversion of funds
formerly spent on chemical use to human resource
development are some suggested immediate interventions.
Governments should initiate programmes which will take ICT
to the poor people.
Recommendation (Cont)
Carefully assess the possibility of multi-functionality
of technologies.
Strengths of participatory programmes as Farmer
Field Schools should be reviewed for duplication.
Close scrutiny of the existing policies and
commitments to harmonize contradictory policies is
necessary to ensure that GT policies and programs
are not developed, implemented, or evaluated in
isolation.
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