Policy to Connect Science and Farmers
“Climate Smart Agriculture
in ASEAN and Thailand:
Soil and Nutrient Management
Presented by Dr. Margaret C. Yoovatana, Senior Policy and Plan Specialist, Planning and Technical Division, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand, at the Symposium “ Agriculture is the Solution! for Climate Change” held during 13-17 May 2019 in Otsu City, Shiga prefecture, Japan, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). Email [email protected] Tel. +66 2 579 5359 Fax. +66 2 561 5024 Mobile : +66 88 151 8415
Presentation Outline
1. ASEAN Regional Guidelines on the Promotion of
Climate Smart Agriculture Practices Vol. 1 & 2
2. ASEAN Guidelines on Soil and Nutrient Management
3. Agricultural Policies of the Ministry of Agriculture and
Cooperatives
4. Concepts and Theories on Soil Management in Royal
Initiative Projects
5. Royal Development Study Centers
6. Sufficiency Economy
ASEAN Regional Guidelines for Promoting
Climate Smart Agriculture Practices
Vol. 1 endorsed by Special SOM – 36th AMAF in 2015 (Myanmar)
Vol. 2 endorsed by Special SOM – 38th AMAF in 2017 (Singapore)
Vol. 2 Vol. 1
2. ASEAN Guidelines on Soil
and Nutrient Management
https://www.asean-agrifood.org/what-we-do/soil-and-nutrient-management-2/
Scope of the Guidelines covers: Properties and issues of soil in ASEAN Good Soil Management Practices Good Nutrient Management Practices Standard, regulations and market information
of fertilizer and supplements Recommendation for soil and nutrient
management
Endorsed in 2017 during the 39th AMAF Meeting, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Principles of Sound Soil Management for Climate – Smart Agriculture
Maximize soil nutrient use efficiency – nutrient and supplement inputs Control erosion - prevent loss of soil organic matter and associated
nutrient Use integrated nutrient management. Efficiently manage soil water, including effective water harvesting and
storage to mitigate drought Conservation agriculture and organic agriculture
principles into the farming system to maintain/improve soil health.
Mitigation of emissions of greenhouse gases
Soil/land condition Mitigation Response
Degraded or marginal lands Convert to perennial vegetation
Drained peat soil Restore to wetlands
Acid sulfate soils Restore water table; lime; conservation agricultural systems
Sandy and skeletal soils Convert to perennial vegetation
Nutrient-depleted soils Integrated nutrient management including
leguminous N-fixation
Excessive cultivation and or burning of crop residues
Conservation agricultural systems
Low residue crops Strip
cropping/intercropping/relay cropping including
perennial crop component and permanent ground
cover
Indigenous knowledge
and local wisdom
Black – fertile soils Red, white and yellow – poor soils, poor
water retention and lower yields Grey – impaired drainage, waterlogged Associated vegetation – Imperata cylindrica
and Mimosa invisa are considered poor soils
Soil Management Practices
Cover Crops Crop Rotation Conservation agricultural practices Vegetative buffer strips Problems Soils Acid Sulfate Soils – careful management of the water table to prevent further oxidation. Water tables maintained
Soil Management Practices (Cont.)
Problems Soils Acid sulfate soils – careful management of the water table to prevent further oxidation. Liming, leaching, water tables maintained Peat soils – controlled drainage, gradual lowering of the ground water table to control subsidence and to prevent spontaneous combustion
Soil Management Practices (Cont.2)
Problems Soils Sandy soils – organic amendments, compost, manure and crop residues, drip irrigation, mulching, cover cropping, splitting nutrient application Skeletal soils – planting fast growing trees and drought tolerant perennial crops and pastures, compost, manures or crop residues to improve nutrient and water-holding capacity
Managing soil constraints
Acidity – liming, monitor soil pH in the crop root zone for early warning of subsoil acidity
Sodicity – excessive exchangeable and solution sodium (Na) could be managed by application of soluble calcium forms as gypsum, ponding of freshwater to remove the displaced sodium by leaching
Managing soil constraints (cont. 2)
Salinity – leaching, replacing exchangeable sodium by adding gypsum, cover surface by mulch, levelling to reduce ponding
Low nutrient retention – clay minerals (e.g. bentonite) and organic matter, liming to increase Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), split application of N,K, Ca and Mg fertilizers to reduce risk of leaching of cations because of low soil CEC, avoid over-irrigation to reduce the risk of nutrient leaching.
Managing soil constraints (cont. 4)
Salinity – leaching, replacing exchangeable sodium by adding gypsum, cover surface by mulch, levelling to reduce ponding
Low nutrient retention – clay minerals (e.g. bentonite) and organic matter, liming to increase Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), split application of N,K, Ca and Mg fertilizers to reduce risk of leaching of cations because of low soil CEC, avoid over-irrigation to reduce the risk of nutrient leaching.
Managing soil constraints (cont. 5)
High phosporous fixation – grow low P-demand crops use minimal rates of water – soluble P fertilizer applied in band or pockets to reduce fertilizer-soil contact, thereby decreasing the loss of P availability by fixation, application of citrate-soluble P fertilizer such as reactive phosphate rock
Waterlogging- drainage, mound crop rows, split N fertilizer
Managing soil constraints (cont. 6)
Low plant available water – clay materials to increase soil water - holding capacity, surface mulch with organic residues to reduce evaporative losses of soil water and assist in increasing water infiltration, use species such as vetiver grass for bunding and terracing, trickle or drip irrigation systems to maintain soil moisture most efficiently, plant drought - tolerant crops
Hard –setting /dispersion - maintain soil surface in a moist condition and protect from raindrop impact by surface mulching, limit tillage
Managing soil constraints (cont. 6)
Low plant available water – clay materials to increase soil water - holding capacity, surface mulch with organic residues to reduce evaporative losses of soil water and assist in increasing water infiltration, use species such as vetiver grass for bunding and terracing, trickle or drip irrigation systems to maintain soil moisture most efficiently, plant drought - tolerant crops
Hard –setting /dispersion - maintain soil surface in a moist condition and protect from raindrop impact by surface mulching, limit tillage
4. Agricultural Policies of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC)
1. Management of Water Resources 2. Consolidated Farms 3. Learning Centers 4. Zoning by Agri – map 5. Smart Farmer 6. Development of Farmers Institutions as State Enterprises 7. Agricultural Banks
8. Organic Agriculture 9. New Theory in Agriculture 10. Fisheries Standards 11. Promote Agricultural
Mechanization 12. Agricultural Commodities Market
Outlets 13. Quality of Agricultural Products 14. Debt Alleviation 15. Rice Supply Chain
15 MOAC Agricultural Policies
4. Royal Initiative Projects Related to Soil Management
Tricking the soil Vetiver Grass for Soil Degradation and Erosion Promoting land allocation and reform The New Theory in Agriculture Development and Conservation of Water
Resources Development and Conservation of Water
Resources Development and Conservation of Forest
Resources Conservation and Rehabilitation of the Ecosystem
of Coastal Areas
Concepts and Theories on Soil Management in Royal Initiative Project
Photo credit: www.chaipat.or.th
Photo credit: www.chaipat.or.th
5. Royal Development Study Centers
Khao Cha-ngum Deteriorated Soil Rehabilitation Study Project http://www.ldd.go.th/ldd_en/
Vetiver grass rehabilitation of forests
based on the principle of natural cycle which is simple and cost-saving as well as supporting the natural cycle of the forest.
Photo credit : http://www.chaipat.or.th/eng/our-work/environmental-quality-improvement.html
Royal Initiative Projects
Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Centre http://www.rdpb.go.th
development of watershed areas
conserve watersheds and develop forests
construction of check dams
http://www.hongkhrai.com/index2.php
Royal Initiative Projects
Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center http://www.rdpb.go.th
study, research and experimentation on land and water resources development
forest rehabilitation promotion of agricultural
knowledge on the planning of crop cultivation and animal husbandry
Photo Credit thttp://www.rdpb.go.th
Royal Initiative Projects
Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Center http://www.rdpb.go.th
coastal made up of saline soils
deterioration of the mangrove forest
study and research on fishery
propagation of marine life in the coastal areas Photo Credit thttp://www.rdpb.go.th
Royal Initiative Projects
Pikun Thong Royal Development Study Centre http://www.rdpb.go.th
swamp land poor quality acidic soil
conducting study and research on peat soil
development of organic soil
Photo Credit thttp://www.rdpb.go.th
Royal Initiative Projects
Puparn Royal Development Study Center http://www.rdpb.go.th
problems of soil deterioration water shortage forest encroachment study and research on forestry
through irrigation system cultivation of economic crops
which can increase the farmers' income
promotes animal husbandry such as swine and poultry farming, and integrated fish raising
Photo Credit thttp://www.rdpb.go.th
Sufficiency Economy
His Majesty the King Rama IX began promoting the philosophy of Sufficiency Economy more than two decades ago as a guideline for the Thai people to have a stable and resilient subsistence. The fundamental teaching of the philosophy is for the people at all level follow the “middle path” as an appropriate model for the conduct of every aspect of life. The conduct starts within the family then moves to the community, and then to the government levels in the areas of development and good governance. This enable the people to better meet the challenges arising from globalization and achieve sustainable development.
Photo credit : asean-agrifood.org
Global Warming Temperature increase
Emission Unsustainable soil
management Overuse of agro-chemicals Intensive tillage Removal of vegetative cover Urbanization/soil sealing Wetland/peatland drainage Monocropping Loss of soil structure Reduction of organic matter
inputs Soil compaction Soil erosion/disturbance
Sustainable Soil Management Conserving/increasing soil
diversity Implementation of the Voluntary
Guidelines on Sustainable Soil Management (VGSSM)
Increasing soil organic matter inputs
Crop rotation/diversification Better soil surface coverage Reduce tillage Monitoring soil-organic carbon
stocks Reduced soil contamination
Thank you very much
Domo Arigatou
Domo Arigatou Gozaimasu
