BIOLOGICAL FARMING IS ON THE MOVE
Editorial by Dr Guna Magesan
Maori Research Institute & 2NZ Biological Farming Systems Research Centre
PO Box 12103, Rotorua 3045, New Zealand
Recently, when I was invited to write an editorial for Soil News on ‘Where soil science has taken me to’ I thought straight away that I should focus on biological farming research and my relations with the Maori community.
I came to Soil Science research by accident. After completing my Masters degree in Physics, I wanted to work in our farm with my brothers (both post-graduates). However, my elder brother put one condition: I could join them only if I have a PhD. (Possibly trying to discourage me from joining them!) While looking out for opportunities abroad, I came to know about Soil Science at Massey University through a family friend. Although I had not studied any papers related to soil science, I decided to take on this challenge to do my PhD in Soil Science (nitrate leaching) thinking that it would be useful to the farming community.
After completing the PhD degree, I did a joint post-doctoral fellowship with Massey University and HortResearch (currently Plant and Food Research). Thereafter, I joined Landcare Research as an environmental scientist and was involved in a number of projects: land-based effluent treatment and reuse, pesticide and nitrate pollution management, preferential flow and aquifer protection, and remediation of contaminated sites. In July 2001, I joined Scion, Rotorua, as senior scientist to lead the waste management team. Our main research was studying the application of municipal and industrial wastes in forest ecosystems, and its impact on soil and water resources. Since 1 September, 2011, I have been with Maori Research Institute as a senior resident scientist.
For nearly twenty years, I have followed what most scientists do: conduct research, attend conferences, present papers, and write articles in peer-reviewed journals, and consultancy.
Biological farming:
After all these years of research, I have come full circle to do research again on sustainable farming. Recently, I was invited to present a paper on “Biological Farming Systems and Water Quality” at the International Conference on Chemistry, Environment and Climate Change at the University of South Pacific, Suva.
Interest in, and support for, biological farming systems is growing in New Zealand. It is currently used by mainstream farmers on a number of central North Island farms. Farmers using biological farming systems have observed positive changes to soil (e.g. increase in clover number and root mass, and decrease in soil compaction), and improvements in plant and animal health. These systems have resulted in savings in fertiliser costs and improved environmental outcomes (70-90% drop in urea use), without losses in productivity.
So what exactly is biological farming? Biological farming is a holistic approach to modify and improve soil conditions for beneficial microbes to increase soil microbial activity that helps speed-up nutrient cycling, and to re-establish mineral balance in the soil. Instead of urea
application, a wide range of minerals and essential elements (e.g. calcium and magnesium), and compost/organic wastes with specifically selected soil-friendly microbes (fungi and bacteria) is applied.
Biological farming is not organic farming. It is not conventional farming either. It is a mix of conventional and organic farming practices involving careful crop and soil monitoring to ensure optimum yields, nutritional density and humus production. While organic farming is considered to be too restrictive, because of its own set of rules and guidelines, biological farming is considered more users friendly and adaptable.
National conference and biological farming systems research centre:
The Rotorua Lakes and Land Trust (RLLT) – a joint venture between Te Arawa Federation of Maori Authorities and Rotorua/Taupo Province of Federated Farmers – has been proactive in finding solutions to farm nutrient losses. They are currently looking at biological farming systems as an option.
Recently, the RLLT organised a national conference on biological farming systems with the theme “Towards Sustainable Farming – by farmers, for farmers”. The conference was opened by Hon John Luxton, Chairman, DairyNZ. As the conference coordinator, my role was to bring scientific and the biological farming communities closer to have a good, open discussion and share knowledge.
Presentations by practicing biological farmers and consultants aroused the greatest interest. They brought real life experiences of commercially managed biological farms to conventional farmers, consultants and scientists. The conference was a turning point for sustainable farming in New Zealand and it gave a big boost to many dairy farmers, especially Maori farmers, who have shown interest in moving towards biological farming systems. Many of the over 270 attendees were farmers; demonstrating the rise in its popularity.
The announcement of the NZ Biological Farming Systems Research Centre at the conference was received with enthusiasm. Biological farming is an emerging field, and the Centre aims to conduct independent research on all aspects of biological farming systems, such as soil and water quality, plant production and quality, animal health and economic viability. Currently I am developing a multi-disciplinary research team around biological farming systems.
Maori Research Institute:
For Maori, land is special and is a foundation for high value economic growth. Hence, connection to land is very important and many Trusts are looking at building their land base to create inter-generational wealth. The Maori community believes in Kaitiakitanga and Mauri of nature, and sustainable management of their land, water and forest resources is based on their tradition and culture.
Traditional Maori farming practice constitute ‘natural methods’ such as biological farming. As in most ancient cultures, Maori generally desire to pass the lands on to children in their natural healthy soil state, unlike many of the Western farming systems which place a single minded focus on profits to the detriment of the environment. The settlement of Treaty Claims and termination of long term leases have given Maori (the rightful owners) an unprecedented opportunity to develop their lands.
Te Arawa Federation of Maori Authorities (FoMA) aims to help its member organisations advance their aspirations for economic development through biological farming systems. To provide science and research support, I was appointed as their Senior Resident Scientist. My primary role is to liaise between science communities (research institutes and universities), regulatory authorities (e.g. regional councils) and Maori community farmers.
The Maori Research Institute was set up to create opportunities for Maori to become interested and be part of the sciences and innovations projects so vital in the future development of Maori lands and business. The Institute announced its first national conference on the theme “Maori lands: business opportunities and challenges”, and the purpose is to build relations with all the key stakeholders in the Maori lands, to bring all Maori land trusts together and to showcase some of the success stories. The conference will be held in Sept’12 in Rotorua.
I have always had a passion for both scientific research and community wellbeing, especially with indigenous Maori people. I have always felt very close to Maori and have been working with them for the past 15 years from a community perspective. I strongly believe that if the Maori community develops, New Zealand as a nation develops.
Fundamental and applied research:
The common and accepted practice is that scientists will conduct ‘fundamental’ research in laboratory and/or in field. The results are presented at the conferences or published in journals. In general, such focussed research is less relevant to farmers. On the other hand, ‘applied’ research generally encourages a collaborative research bringing people from different disciplines to get a holistic view on a real situation. Research coming out from farmers’ observations, such as in biological farming, could be considered as an applied research.
Last year, I presented a paper entitled “How farmers’ observations may assist in scientific research?” at the 19th World Congress of Soil Science in Brisbane, Australia.
The existing research and extension work operate largely on top down approach. Agendas and priorities are decided by scientists and management with little input from farmers. Scientists, by and large, have limited exposure to field realities. It is important that the scientists work with the extension experts and the farmers, who are good ‘observers’. Success of biological farming is mainly because of a more participatory, bottom-up and holistic system approach.
I am aware of a number of scientists who are supportive of biological farming systems, but they must now come out and openly accept the truth. They think their name in the community will be affected if they promote biological farming openly. One of the comments from a scientist (who holds a responsible position) that we are a “science” based organisation, is amusing. Scientists need to be open-minded and do research based on farmers’ observations.
Scientists should develop more practical methods such as visual soil assessment (VSA) which is very popular among farmers.
Finally, the potential benefits of biological farming are far reaching; from healthy soils, good quality food and healthy consumers. Whether we like it or not, biological farming is on the move in New Zealand. Let scientists be open-minded and accept knowledge that comes from all sides – from scientists as well as from farmers.
