Sustainable Farming
New Zealand Sustainable Farming
The current model of farming in New Zealand cannot be sustained, but there is hope: sustainable agriculture practices and organic farming are less harmful to the environment and preserve natural environmental conditions.
New Zealand, like other modern industrialized countries, underwent an agricultural revolution in the second half of the twentieth century. This technology boom has resulted in higher yields, but at some cost. The current system of agricultural production is not sustainable. Only now, confronted with evidence of the environmental threat of industrial agricultural production, are nations around the world making change. ‘Sustainable' is the buzzword of the moment in the agricultural world, but will the change come too late?
In New Zealand, the Green Party has been largely responsible for drawing the government’s attention to the issue of sustainable farming in New Zealand. As a vital part of the New Zealand economy and lifestyle, we cannot abandon agriculture, but it seems we will be forced to adapt our practices if there is to be a future for agriculture in our country. Problems that we face include:
- Farming practices degrading water supplies
- Overuse of water
- Loss of soil into the sea (our rate is ten times faster than the rest of the world)
- Dependence on non-renewable energy sources resulting in global warming
In real terms, this means that lakes such as Lake Rotorua and Lake Taupo are degenerating and are no longer safe for human contact; lowland streams are no longer fit to swim in; and farming practices, in particular dairy farming, are having a huge impact on water quality.
Water degeneration
Lowered levels of water quality are caused by agricultural runoff, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. There is a forty year delay in seeing the environmental effects of this kind of pollution on Lake Taupo, so even if we stopped using fertilizers today, the toxicity of that lake would continue to increase. Over the six years from 1998 to 2004, use of nitrogen fertilizer increased by 160% in New Zealand.
Water overuse
Overuse of water is caused by an increasing farmland area requiring irrigation. The area of land relying on irrigation is increasing at a rate of 55% every ten years. Taking large volumes of water from our waterways means more energy is consumed in the pumping of water and river levels are lowered, causing higher concentrations of pollutants in the rivers. Increased irrigation also means increased agricultural production and more intensive use of the land.
Energy and fuel consumption
Energy consumption is another issue in the sustainable agriculture debate. Over the last ten years, the use of energy on New Zealand farms has increased by 30%, resulting in increased fossil fuel emissions. Agriculture in New Zealand is responsible for 50% of emissions into the atmosphere. Farmers also rely on fossil fuels to transport goods to markets and cities. Soon, internationally, the world will be unable to meet the oil demands of industry and commerce. In the meantime, prices continue to rise.
'Fart tax' proposed to combat global warming
The New Zealand government has asked farmers to contribute financially, through taxation, to help reduce greenhouse effects of emissions from cattle and sheep. The so-called 'Fart Tax' would help pay for research into livestock emissions of nitrous oxide and methane gases, which account for around half of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions.
Organic Farming
The New Zealand Green Party claims organic farming is essential to New Zealand's agricutlural sustainability. They are encouraging the government to convert to organic farming methods as part of its climate change strategy. Green Party Agriculture spokesperson, Nandor Tanczos, sited evidence from international experts showing that "healthy living soil has enormous ability to hold carbon...while conventional farming tends to degrade soils, treating it as simply a medium for holding synthetic fertilisers." The government has agreed to fund an Organics Advisory Programme, but the Greens believe stronger action is needed to show a genuine committment to organic production.
The New Zealand Government has gone some way to ensuring that sustainable agriculture is at least introduced to New Zealand farming practices, but according the Green Party, it is only a fraction of what is needed to bring about substantial change. More scientific research must be invested in learning to manage our land resource more efficiently and sustainably. Measures to improve NZ sustainable farming could include:
- Sustainable land and water management at catchment and farm level
- Making sure land use matches land use capability
- Reforesting of potential erosion areas
- Decreased dependence on fossil fuels
- Providing incentives for sustainable farming practices
- Fostering of organic food production
- Decreasing the use of agrichemicals
- Increased planting of timbertrees that do not require chemical treatment above ground
- Re-establishment and maintenance of wetlands and lowland forests
The current model of farming cannot be sustained, but there is hope. Agriculture doesn’t have to be damaging to the environment – sustainable agriculture and farming can maintain the condition of the natural environment and provide a productive and successful farming practice.
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Business images from Flickr: Farm Land, New Zealand Flag and Wellington Buildings.
