PRACTICES that can advance nature-positive agriculture were championed by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) during the 8th International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Asia Regional Conservation Forum (RCF) 2024 recently held in Bangkok, Thailand.
During the panel on transforming agri-food systems, SEARCA Center Director Glenn Gregorio noted the increasing pressure on natural ecosystems due to agricultural activities and the challenges posed by climate change. He said that the critical balance between agricultural productivity and biodiversity conservation can be achieved through innovations.
He proposed solutions which are "essential to a produce-more-with-less framework." Examples include landscape approaches, farm clustering, ridge-to-reef initiatives, circular value chains and low-carbon farming like conservation agriculture and climate-smart villages.
Gregorio expounded on the need for carbon-wise agriculture, a system that optimizes production while minimizing emissions at every stage from soil preparation to consumption. This process involves optimal use of fertilizers, proper water management, circular economy principles and renewable energy.
Dindo Campilan, IUCN regional director for Asia and hub director for Oceania, emphasized the importance of identifying areas for protection and conservation, and offering win-win solutions where agriculture can serve as a mutually beneficial strategy for smallholder farmers.
He encouraged the participants to champion agriculture as a mainstream focus in IUCN's vision and invited recommendations on developing IUCN's potential roles in the agricultural system. He broached partnerships with agricultural experts to develop mutually beneficial solutions and ensure that agriculture is integrated into nature-based solutions.
The forum brought together 600 conservation leaders to "assess progress and set strategic directions to effectively address environmental and biodiversity challenges over the next 20 years." It laid the groundwork for the upcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi.
Gregorio added that the RCF served as a platform for IUCN members and stakeholders from government, academe, nongovernmental organizations, international organizations and the private sector "to discuss and agree on Asia's priority conservation agenda and give feedback on IUCN's 20-year Strategic Vision and Program."