9 June 2019
Climate change:� Strengthening food security with traditional and organic farming methods.
Having written a few times recently about my concern over climate change and the way it is affecting the Solomon Islands and the people�s way of living, health and food security, I sought to find some information on organic farming as a means of alternative crop cultivation.
I was especially pleased to find by a Google search the very practical and useful information guide entitled �Farm Technology Live & Learn Environmental Education.�
This particular resource booklet was developed by Live & Learn Environmental Education with funding through AusAID�s International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative-Community-based Adaptation Activity Grants.
I spent, yesterday, reading through the published booklet which contained many contributions from Solomon Islanders and detailed their successful organic farming methods in combatting the threat being experienced by global warming.
The booklet is an easy read and I would recommend it to all those wanting to improving their personal farming methods in the rural areas of the country.
The booklet starts out with this introduction (Quote)
�Climate change and farming People from Melanesia heavily rely on their land for their livelihoods. They depend on their environment for food and income from cash crops, for clean water, fertile soil, forests for building materials, medicine and for hunting. Compared to other countries, most Melanesians have very small �carbon footprints� having contributed very little to global warming and climate change.
�Unfortunately they will be among those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their high dependency on their immediate environment and close proximity to the coast. While the challenges ahead are enormous, farmers� innovations can make a great starting point for strengthening food security in Melanesia.
�The guide aims to provide a range of traditional and innovative technologies that make a positive contribution to strengthening food security in Melanesia in response to climate change. It aims to encourage rural farmers in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to think about, and start to prepare for, the impacts of climate change in their communities.
�It is written for farmers and field or extension workers, teachers and others who work with farmers. It is part of an innovative program that seeks to strengthen food security as an adaptive measure to the effects of climate change in Melanesia
�The guide can be used on its own, or during discussions and workshops. It is divided into six chapters: 1. Introduction to climate change 2. Alternatives to shifting cultivation 3. Agro-forestry 4. Soil fertility 5. Emergency or food security gardens 6. Low islands, atolls and small areas of land.
�Producing this guide was done in an unusual way. The manuscript was produced in a workshop modelled on the �write shop� approach of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction.
�Rather than presenting theoretical ideas about adaptation to climate change, these pages share the ideas of a group of active lead farmers and field workers currently practising in the field. The technologies were reviewed by the group and a consensus decision made on what to include in the guide.
�All technologies described are innovations, and make a positive contribution to strengthening food security in response to climate change. Some also contribute directly to carbon sequestration or reduction of emissions: by increased planting of long-term tree crops, and by various means of keeping more carbon in the soil through organic farming approaches.
� Not all presented technologies can or should be applied everywhere. Rather, farmers are encouraged to learn from each other and adapt the ideas and methods to their own places. It is hoped that this guide will improve farming systems and the resilience of local environments in two key ways; by functioning as a practical resource for farmers and those supporting farming practices on the ground, and to support the testing and integration of innovative, low-cost technologies into national and regional policies and practices.
�It is envisioned that this guide complements, and strengthens existing adaptation initiatives to better equip Melanesian communities to focus on the importance of food security as a response to the impacts of climate change.�
I personally consider the booklet valuable to assist farmers strengthen their resistance to climate change, raise their awareness, identify vulnerabilities and plan their food production using the recommended farming practices.
Do try and download the booklet guide, or get in touch with the Kastom Garden Association, PO Box 742, Honiara, Solomon Islands.� Tel: +677 39138 for more information.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
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