21 January 2016
FAO Provides Guidance on Sustainable Intensification of Cereal Production
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A guide published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provides an overview of the FAO's model of ecosystem-based agriculture 'Save and Grow' and presents case studies of its application around the world.

The model is used to increase cereal yields while rendering production systems more sustainable and resilient to the impacts of climate change.

fao_headquartersJanuary 2016: A guide published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provides an overview of the FAO’s model of ecosystem-based agriculture, called ‘Save and Grow,’ and presents case studies of its application around the world. The model is used to increase cereal yields while rendering production systems more sustainable and resilient to the impacts of climate change.

The guide, titled ‘Save and Grow in Practice: Maize, Rice, Wheat – a Guide to Sustainable Cereal Production,’ is intended as a contribution towards the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDG) in particular SDG 2 (zero hunger), which requires the sustainable increase of agricultural production systems’ productivity. The guide focuses on the use of the Save and Grow model for the production of the world’s most important cereal crops maize, wheat and rice.

The introduction outlines challenges of feeding a growing world population under conditions of widespread environmental degradation and climate change leading to stagnating yields in many regions of the world.

The second section provides an introduction to the Save and Grow model, which consists of the following elements: conservation agriculture; healthy soil; improved crops and varieties; efficient water management; and integrated pest management. The model stresses that all elements must be fully integrated to maximize benefits.

The third section presents 11 case studies of Save and Grow in practice, including: combating maize pests in East Africa; implementing ‘slash and mulch’ production systems in Central America; inter-cropping of legumes to increase wheat yields around the world; combining fish cultures and rice paddies in Asia; and using zero-till practices to preserve soil cover in Central Asia.

The final section discusses the challenges and way forward in scaling up the Save and Grow model, noting the need for fundamental changes in governance and the careful adaptation of technologies to site-specific conditions. Key challenges include integrating Save and Grow in borader structural transformations; encouraging farmer investment in sustainable production systems; adapting technological innovations to smallholder needs; enhancing agricultural education and training; and supporting formal and informal seed systems. [Publication: Save and Grow in Practice: Maize, Rice, Wheat – a Guide to Sustainable Cereal Production] [FAO Climate Change Webpage]

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