LivingLiving FarmsFarms ReferenceReference Generic Principles, Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Farm Management in South Africa LivingLiving FarmsFarms ReferenceReference Generic Principles, Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Farm Management in South Africa Compiled by Dr. J.S.B. Scotcher [email protected] 2010 version Cite this document as: Scotcher JSB 2009. The Green Choice Living Farms Reference 2009/2010 version, A. Goldblatt (ed.). Unpublished report to GreenChoice (a World Wide Fund for Nature and Conservation International partnership). For more information: Tatjana von Bormann [email protected] Heidi-Jayne Hawkins [email protected] WWF South Africa's Vision All citizens of South Africa value, respect and defend the integrity ofthe natural ecosystems that underpin the sustainable development of our country and the well-being of our people. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Over the centuries, South Africa has established a proud heritage of farming. Today’s farmers ensure that the country’s growing population is self-sufficient in virtually all major agricultural products, while producing more than half of southern Africa’s maize requirements and exporting many agricultural products to the world. But times are changing. Farmers are under increasing pressure to intensify their agricultural outputs to meet rising food demands and are faced with looming threats of a changing climate. The population of South Africa was 48 million in 2009, and is growing at about 2% per year. If this trend persists, by the year 2035, there will be nearly 82 million people living in South Africa, all dependent on the same level of natural resources yet aiming for a better quality of life. Some farmers have responded by expanding their area under cultivation and increasing their use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and water. Uncontrolled, these activities can lead to, among other things, soil erosion, water pollution, water scarcity, declining soil health, ecosystem degradation, species extinction and climate change. In South Africa, annual soil loss through erosion is estimated at 400 million tonnes; surface and ground water resources are already almost fully utilized; water is often so polluted that it cannot even be used for irrigation; ecosystems and the services they provide are being degraded or used at unsustainable levels; and a recent assessment found that almost 10% of the country’s birds and frogs, 20% of its mammals and 13% of its plants are threatened with extinction. In recognition of these threats (and of the threat of climate change), there is a move both legislatively and in general opinion towards promoting sustainability in farming practices. In addition, there is an increasing appreciation of both the local and global value of species and ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems support the tourism industry and provide critical goods and services such as increased water quality and availability, flood and erosion control, pollination, grazing, nutrient cycling, natural hazard protection and soil fertility. Conserving South Africa’s species and ecosystems is critical to accommodating the basic needs of its people, while preserving the resources that will enable its future generations and ecosystems to thrive. The goal of sustainable agriculture is to minimize any adverse impacts of farming on the environment, to demonstrate good stewardship of natural resources and to enhance social well-being, while providing a sustained level of production and profit. A number of international initiatives have recently emerged that promote sustainable production or use and locally, various sectors (such as forestry, sugarcane and mohair) have produced guidelines with economic, social and environmental criteria that promote sustainable production or use. While these and other initiatives and guidelines exist, and while many South African farmers have a feel for sustainable farm management and good land practice, the Worldwide Fund for Nature in South Africa (WWF-SA) and Conservation International (CI) identified the need for a single document that brings together current knowledge on sustainable farm management in South Africa. In response, the Green Choice Alliance (a WWF and CI–led partnership) has produced the generic, WWF- funded, Living Farms Reference. The Reference was developed through an extensive review of existing national and international sustainability guidelines and certification systems, of South African land management legislation, and through a series of multi-stakeholder workshops. It outlines basic sustainability principles that can be applied across different farms and includes brief descriptions of the methodologies and practices currently associated with sustainable agriculture in South Africa. The Reference is not intended as a farmer friendly document but was developed as a master document that could be customized for specific agricultural sectors. To achieve future food security and environmental protection in the face of current agricultural challenges we need to work across the whole agricultural supply chain. The Green Choice Alliance presents the Living Farms Reference in the hope that it will provide a starting point for greater collaboration between governments, farmers, consumers and industry; leading to the adoption of good and efficient farm management principles for the benefit of South Africans today and in the future. The Green Choice Living Farms Reference 1 2009/2010 version TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................................. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................................. 2 BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Agricultural Challenges .......................................................................................................................... 5 The Food Equation............................................................................................................................... 5 Economic Considerations .................................................................................................................. 6 Social Issues .......................................................................................................................................... 7 Environmental Challenges ..................................................................................................................... 7 Water ....................................................................................................................................................... 8 Land, Soil and Nutrients..................................................................................................................... 8 Biodiversity and Ecosystems............................................................................................................. 9 Climate Change ....................................................................................................................................... 10 A Sustainable Solution .......................................................................................................................... 12 What is sustainability?...................................................................................................................... 13 Existing Sustainability Guidelines ................................................................................................ 14 The Green Choice Living Farms Reference ...................................................................................... 15 Green Choice ....................................................................................................................................... 15 Developing the Reference ................................................................................................................ 15 Legal Requirements........................................................................................................................... 16 Structuring the Reference (P C & I)................................................................................................ 18 THE LIVING FARMS REFERENCE........................................................................................................ 21 THE ECONOMIC PRINCIPLE.............................................................................................................. 21 1. Economically viable farm production is maintained or enhanced. .................................... 21 Criterion................................................................................................................................................ 21 Indicator........................................................................................................................................... 21 1.1.1 A written land-use plan that promotes sustainable farm production exists....... 21 Indicator........................................................................................................................................... 21 1.1.2 Profitability or viability of the farming operation is planned on an annual basis. 21 Indicator..........................................................................................................................................