Politics to prevent desertification – Bolivia

In the last 15 years soy has become Bolivia’s main export crop, and one of the most important products for the national economy. The production of this so-called “golden grain” has been concentrated in the department of Santa Cruz, due to its qualitative and quantitative abundance of natural resources. As a result, its production has caused a rapid expansion of both the cultivated area and the agricultural frontier. In recent years the land dedicated to soybean production has grown by more than 650%, reaching almost 1 million hectares in 2006 (ANAPO). With this objective, around 700.000 hectares of forest has been deforested, of which 30% are considered unsuitable for agriculture according to the Soil Usage Plan (Plan de Uso de los Suelos – PLUS). Given the still growing global demand for soybeans, the expansion rate in Bolivia continues apace. In deed, in 2005 more than 100.000 hectares of land were deforested in soy producing municipalities, with the principle aim of converting more land to soybean production (El Deber).

Small-scale farmers represent the majority of soybean farmers in Bolivia (an estimated 70% of all farmers are small-scale, a category defining all farmers with less than 50 hectares), although they have very little influence in the sector due to the limited amount of land that they control, and the lack of organisation (until recently) between them. They represent, furthermore, the most vulnerable sector. Soybeans require a considerable inversion, with a production cost per hectare of around USD 250-300 (PROBIOMA). Given that the small-scale farmer does not generally dispose of sufficient capital, the use of agricultural credit has become common. The farmer uses the papers of his machinery (if he owns machinery), house or land to secure credits offered by the Crushing Industry, Agrochemical providers, Private Financial Funds, and more recently by the government.

Nevertheless, the production of soy in Santa Cruz entails high risks, due to climatic factors and a high level of plagues and diseases. In the last growing season (summer 2006-2007), excessive rains (caused by the climatic phenomena “El Niño”) resulted in the loss of over 100.000 hectares (ANAPO), many of which belonged to small-scale farmers. Furthermore, in the previous winter growing season (2006), a strong attack of the disease known as Oriental Rust resulted in a significant drop in crop yields for many farmers. In the current winter season (2007), a prolonged drought is putting at risk soy yields yet again. These threats can cause serious problems for small-scale farmers, leading to unsustainable debts, the loss of machinery, and in worst case scenarios the loss of their land and/or dwelling. It is in this way that the small-scale farmer gradually disappears from the soy sector, with a resulting concentration of land in the hands of a few.

On an environmental level soybeans are also generating serious consequences. As mentioned, 30% of the land prepared for the crop is unsuitable for agriculture. The soil in productive zones is predominantly sandy, and once it has been deforested it tends to quickly loose its fertility and humidity. In the Eastern Expansion Zone, where once there was subtropical forest, now can be found arid areas in different processes of desertification, and drought has become common in winter. In the Integrated North, which is generally wetter, the double cropping of soy is carried out (growing soybeans in the summer and winter season). This type of monocropping accelerates the loss of fertility, and thus enhances soil degradation. Moreover, it leads to ever greater problems with plagues and diseases (particularly the oriental rust disease), and increases the use of agrochemicals so as to control them. As a result, the soy model has generated, to date, over 300.000 hectares of desertified land, which is no longer suitable for agricultural practices.

In recent years new threats have been incorporated into the productive model, which are causing even greater soil degradation within the productive zones. One of these threats is genetically modified (GM) seeds. GM soy now represents around 50% of national soy production. Nevertheless, the use of these seeds increase the trend towards monocropping (due to the fact that GM soy germinates again as a “super-weed” in the following seasons), generates a greater dependency of farmers towards seed and chemical providers, and leads to economic losses for those farmers who wish to continue to produce non-GM soy for specialised markets (due to the contamination of their production). Another worrying aspect, which has potential consequences for soil quality, is the emergence of agro-fuels. Due to the enormous demand that will be generated in European, North American, and Asian countries as a result of the fixed quotas for the incorporation of agro-fuels in diesel and petrol, certain sectors in Bolivia are targeting this new market. It is expected that this will lead to even more expansion of the agricultural frontier so as to convert more land to the production of soybeans (and sugar cane).

Strategies

Given this situation, the need to find ways of controlling the social and environmental impacts of soybean production, as well as consolidating and strengthening the position of the small-scale farmer in the sector, is clear. It was in this way that PROBIOMA initiated the programme of Responsible Management of Soybeans in 2005. The programme works with 2000 small-scale farmers so as to reduce the social and environmental impact of the crop, increase their incomes, and strengthen their position in the sector. It is founded on 8 components, which are briefly outlined below:

• Component of Technological Innovation of Biodiversity: Strengthen the investigation, production, and distribution of bioregulators for Biological Control in the soybean sector, with the aim of contributing towards the conservation of human health, genetic resources, agricultural sustainability and the competitiveness of the soy production chain.
• Environmental Component: Implement a training programme on the use and management of Biological Control agents and the organic production of soybeans, as an alternative to the use of GM crops and highly toxic agrochemicals, aimed at agricultural leaders from the cooperatives, syndicates, and associations.
• Social Component: Implement a programme of organisational strengthening of the agricultural cooperatives and syndicates, so as they have a greater influence in the decision making process with regards to the definition of development politics in the sector.
• Crop Management Component: Implement a programme of “Ecological Plague Management” in soybeans, by means of demonstrative plots, the transference of biotechnology, and direct in field technical assistance for farmers within the region.

• Legal Component: Realise a broadcasting and advocacy campaign aimed at the members of associations, country-based radio listeners and local indigenous and campesino organisations, with regard to the legal and regulatory framework of the agricultural sector.

• Traceability Component; Identification of Genetically Modified Organisms: Establish a pilot monitoring system and chain of custody, in all stages of soybean production, in such a way that it can be traced from the seed, through the fields and to the different stages of processing and transport by means of the documentation, identification, and segregation of the soybeans and derivatives produced in this process.

• Commercial Component: Establish a pilot programme to search for alternative markets for GM-free and responsible soy.

• Political Advocacy Component: Implement a programme of workshops and seminars with the participation of the cooperatives and soybean producer groups, oleaginous industrialisation companies, commercialisation companies and government actors, so as to consolidate criteria of social and environmental responsibility and broadcast their achievements, with the aim of influencing the public politics applied in the soy sector.

Furthermore, within the framework of these components and based on a process of political incidence with soy producers (small and medium), soy commercialisation companies, indigenous organisations, municipalities, universities and NGOs which work in the area of consumer protection and food security, the criteria of social and environmental responsibility were developed which will allow for the establishment of a framework for the development of the different components mentioned earlier:

• Establish standards for cultivation in areas no bigger than 200 hectares, which should contain windbreak tree corridors so as to avoid a process of soil erosion.
• Respect Protected Areas and RAMSAR sites: In other words, the agricultural frontier should not expand into such areas, which are considered of vital importance for their richness in mega biodiversity resources.
• Respect Original Communal Territories (Territorios Comunitarios de Origen – TCOs): Considering that to date their exists several indigenous territories recognised by the Bolivian State, any agro-industrial soy activity should not affect use of and access to the natural resources by indigenous peoples within these territories, and should not alter the existing biodiversity or cultures.
• Adaptation to the Plan of Soil Usage (Plan de Uso de Suelos – PLUS): The relevant existing legislation should be respected, and soy activity should not affect zones which are best suited to forestry, cattle-ranching, conservation, etc.
• Soy that originates from Genetically Modified seeds will not be accepted. Furthermore, a monitoring and inspection process will be initiated which will identify genetically modified organisms in seeds and plants. This procedure will be carried out in PROBIOMA’s laboratory. Similarly, the use of seeds adapted to the agro-ecological conditions of the region should be prioritised.
• Adequate management of soils: The creation of legislature that obliges farmers to adopt Crop Rotation is essential, combining soy with wheat, sorghum or other crops.
• Only the use of Certified Seeds will be permitted, which must have a guarantee of origin. Therefore, the genetic identification of the different varieties of seeds according to their origin will be carried out. This process will be carried out in PROBIOMA’s laboratory.
• Soy which originates on land which is protected by areas of natural forest, totalling 25% of the total area planted, will be certified.
• Agreements on the percentage of soy to be bought directly from small-scale farmers will be established with commercialisation companies and crushing plants.
• Certificates of seed origin and of technical assistance suited to a Responsible Crop Management of Soy will be issued.
• Active participation of Municipalities as an inspection entity: With respect to this there exists the desire to establish rates or royalties for the use of soil. Such a royalty would become effective during the harvest and delivery of products, deducting a sum of $US 0.50 per Ton of soy that comes from a property that is managed responsibly, in other words, under the criteria of social and environmental responsibility. Producers of soy who have not established these criteria and/or plant GM soy, will pay a greater rate (still in discussion), or it is also possible that a municipality declares itself free of genetically modified crops. The funds obtained through these royalties on the use of soil, will be used to support the soy sector in basic and social infrastructure and for the opening of alternative specialised external markets, as well as for the economic strengthening of the municipality.
• Permanent and up-to-date diagnostic of the demand for soy according to types of market and segments (GM, conventional and organic), in order to elaborate politics of commerce both internally and externally. Similarly, the production of derived products with guarantees of origin will be encouraged so as to achieve greater value and competitiveness for soy whose characteristics are qualitatively different.
• The support of the government, through its competent organisms which collaborate in the consolidation of these criteria within the framework of the Strategy of Sustainable Development, the Strategy for the Conservation of Biodiversity, and Diagnostic of Bio-commerce.

• Establishment of politics of external commerce within the framework of broad social and democratic participation, based on collective interests and social and environmental respect.

Stakeholders

The target group of the programme is 2000 small-scale soybean farmers in the Integrated North and Eastern Expansion Zones. To date, work has been initiated with more than 680 farmers, who are the main stakeholders in the field. It is through them that the different Criteria of Social and Environmental Responsibility are being implemented, and in this way decreasing the impact of soybeans in the local environment. Furthermore, the programme works with 11 associations of small-scale farmers, who have a joint affiliation of over 2.000 farmers.

There are many different beneficiaries of the programme. Firstly, the farmers should benefit from an increase, or preservation, of the quality of their soil (fertility and humidity of the soil, reduction in the degradation, etc.). Furthermore, they will also benefit from lower production costs and higher prices for the final product, which between them will generate more sustainable incomes. The health of the farmer and his family should also benefit, due to the reduction in the use of agrochemicals. The communities in productive zones will be benefited in the same way. For example, the reduction in the use of agrochemicals could have an impact in water quality. Moreover, crop rotation will result in a greater array of products for local consumption, and these will be produced with a lesser degree of agrochemicals (such as vegetables, beans, potatoes, etc.)

Success

Achievements:

After 2 years of implementation, the programme is achieving several successes. The first achievement is the number of farmers and their associations who are adopting the criteria of social and environmental responsibility. More than 680 farmers have adopted the use of biological products for the control of plagues and diseases. Moreover, more than 1200 farmers have been trained in the criteria for social and environmental responsibility. The programme also works with more than 10 small-scale farmers’ associations, which are all in different stages of adopting the criteria. All the associations produce and commercialise GM-free soybeans. Most promote crop rotation, and 9 of the associations have experience with biological products.

More than 23,000 hectares of soy and rotational crops (wheat, beans, sunflowers, potatoes, sesame, sorghum, vegetables, etc.) have been produced with some degree of biological products, leading to the substitution of up to 9,500 litres of agrochemicals. Although the farmers have not yet managed to produce their crops totally free of agrochemicals, the incorporation of biological products is evidence that they are heading in the right direction. The results obtained by means of the biological products, are one of the main factors that encourage the farmers to convert to responsible production practices. In terms of plant development and final yield, the biological products have equalled, and in many cases surpassed, chemical based products. It is this, combined with the reduction in production costs that convinces the farmers to switch to this production system.

By adopting the criteria, implementing crop rotation, and substituting agrochemicals for biological products, it is estimated that the programme is having a positive impact on land degradation. However, given that such as process takes time, it is still too early to have definitive results in this area. Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that one of the most frequently used products in the responsible management of soybeans is TRICODAMP, a biological fungicide based on a microorganism known asTrichoderma spp. that is used for seed treatment. As well as protecting the seeds from soil diseases (such as the “Damping Off” complex), it has also been established that this product contributes to the bioremediation of degraded soils (particularly soils affected by the indiscriminate use of agrochemical).

Sustainability

An aspect that highlights the long-term sustainability of the programme is the incorporation of the term “responsible” in the conscience of small-scale farmers. It is common now to hear farmers talk of “responsible production” in their meetings and conferences. This could be due to the fact that the Criteria fit well with many of the farmers’ own principles. The majority of them, for example, want to reduce the amount of agrochemicals that they use, work with GMO free seeds, and produce a variety of crops. In this way, the programme is providing a means to fulfil these aims in a way that requires little personal investment, and that does not result in a reduction of productivity. Furthermore, through the implementation of the responsible management of soybeans, the farmer reduces his production costs, maintains or even increases his productivity, and gains access to markets that offer better prices for his final product. These aspects generate greater incomes for the farmer, and contribute towards the long-term sustainability of the project. Moreover, they are reflected in the fact that the programme expands year by year, with new farmers adopting the programme, thus becoming more responsible farmers.

The establishment of small-scale farmers’ associations (something that is not a direct result of the project, but that has been supported and strengthened by it) is another aspect that could contribute to the programme’s long-term sustainability. By means of training courses for the association’s technicians, executives and affiliates in the concepts of the Criteria for Social and Environmental Responsibility, and more specifically in the use of Biological Control, the associations are now adopting these criteria. In this way, they are becoming the new promoters of this concept, and the monitors of its successful implementation by their affiliates. For example, with regards to not using GMO seeds, it is the associations who monitor and control their affiliates throughout the growing season, and who contract analysts to ensure that their soy is not contaminated with GMO beans. In this way, when the programme comes to an end, it is very likely that the implemented concepts and practices will be maintained, improved and evolved by the farmers and their associations.

An aspect that highlights the long-term sustainability of the programme is the incorporation of the term “responsible” in the conscience of small-scale farmers. It is common now to hear farmers talk of “responsible production” in their meetings and conferences. This could be due to the fact that the Criteria fit well with many of the farmers’ own principles. The majority of them, for example, want to reduce the amount of agrochemicals that they use, work with GMO free seeds, and produce a variety of crops. In this way, the programme is providing a means to fulfil these aims in a way that requires little personal investment, and that does not result in a reduction of productivity. Furthermore, through the implementation of the responsible management of soybeans, the farmer reduces his production costs, maintains or even increases his productivity, and gains access to markets that offer better prices for his final product. These aspects generate greater incomes for the farmer, and contribute towards the long-term sustainability of the project. Moreover, they are reflected in the fact that the programme expands year by year, with new farmers adopting the programme, thus becoming more responsible farmers.

The establishment of small-scale farmers’ associations (something that is not a direct result of the project, but that has been supported and strengthened by it) is another aspect that could contribute to the programme’s long-term sustainability. By means of training courses for the association’s technicians, executives and affiliates in the concepts of the Criteria for Social and Environmental Responsibility, and more specifically in the use of Biological Control, the associations are now adopting these criteria. In this way, they are becoming the new promoters of this concept, and the monitors of its successful implementation by their affiliates. For example, with regards to not using GMO seeds, it is the associations who monitor and control their affiliates throughout the growing season, and who contract analysts to ensure that their soy is not contaminated with GMO beans. In this way, when the programme comes to an end, it is very likely that the implemented concepts and practices will be maintained, improved and evolved by the farmers and their associations.

Lessons Learned:

The main lesson learned during the execution of the programme is that, if we want to reduce the social and environmental impacts caused by a certain crop and its model of production, it is essential that we facilitate easily adoptable practices for the farmers that do not negatively affect their productivity, and that provide economic benefits. One of the main aspects that has facilitated the substitution of agrochemicals with biological products is the resulting reduction in production costs. In deed, in many cases this has been the key to initiating work with farmers. Although small-scale farmers do worry about the environment, their principle concern regards their economic situation and that of their family. Nevertheless, we have also observed that what leads the farmer to continue with these new production systems is not just the economic factor, but also the results that they can observe in the quality of their production, and the impact in the soil and in the health of the farmer.

By means of shedding further light on this concept, we can reflect that it has not been possible to implement all of the outlined criteria with the same degree of success. For example, although it has been possible to generate a recognition of the need to establish wind-break tree corridors in the fields so as to conserve the forest, limit the free flow of wind, and control the advance of plagues and diseases, few signs have been seen that suggest that farmers are now conserving and/or planting such corridors. The reason for this is that the programme has not been able to provide them with a tool which aids the farmer in initiating this process. Taking this into account, and learning from the successes in the substitution of agrochemicals, the fight against GM soybeans and the implementation of crop rotation, it is important that this programme, and other similar ones, find tools that aid farmers to adopt all of the Criteria for Social and Environmental Responsibility in their fields and production systems, without putting at risk their productivity or economic position.

Transferability:

This programme, and in particular the Criteria of Social and Environmental Responsibility, represent a methodology that can be transferred to other regions and different crops. In fact, examples of this replication of the programme are already been seen. For example, Quinoa farmers – an extremely important crop from the Altiplano (Bolivian Highlands) – are currently in the process of elaborating their own criteria of social and environmental responsibility so as to limit the impacts of this crop in areas highly sensitive to desertification. By means of workshops with their affiliates, two associations of quinoa farmers have elaborated such criteria, adapting them to the specialities of their region and crop. It is an experience that shows how farmers of varying crops, and from distinct regions and countries, can adapt the Criteria of Social and Environmental Responsibility to their needs, and find ways of implementing them so as to reduce the impact of agriculture on land quality, and on the society in general.

References

For more information, contact PROBIOMA: probioma@probioma.org.bo

PROBIOMA. (2007). Problemática de la Soy en Bolivia.

ANAPO. (2006). Estadísticas de Producción de Soya.

ANAPO. (2006). Estadísticas de las Pérdidas causados por El Niño.

El Diario. (2 de Junio 2006). Santa Cruz es la región con más bosques deforestados del país: El 95 por ciento de estos desmontes fueron ilegales.

Revised Short Version: A Greener Approach to Cultivating the ‘Golden Grain’ – Responsible Soy Bean Management (in pdf-format – 090914)