Organic Farming and Transgenic Agriculture bicultural Ecology NCP=- - PH Where: NCP= Net Community Productivity History of Agricultural Development Food Gathering Green Revolution Organic Farming High inputs of energy subsidies including fertilizers, pesticides, fossil fuels, mechanization, imigation& advanced technol ogy High outputs at the expense of environmental integrity Contamination of ground water surface water by agrochemicals sediments ete resurgence ad and animal health(e.g. residual effect of methamidophos in vegetables, Agent orange in ietnam, cr oss-Atlantic DDT contamination) Hazards to h esistance and animals Problems of Conventional due to Erosio Salinization Loss of organic matter Problems of Conventional Farming Problems of Conventional Farming It is an altemative agriculture in which the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is replaced by Organic Matter(e.g. crop residues, green manures, farmy ard manures)& biological control. The objectives an produce quality and safe fo to minimize health hazards 1. Organic wastes heterogeneous in property and are highly variable in nutritive value Limitations of Organic Agriculture 2. Mineral ization of organic matter C: Nratio(nitrate depression period) Limitations of Organic Agriculture Limitations of Organic Agriculture 4. Acceptance by farmers ctant to give up the use of agrochemical Soil adjustment after prolonged years of conventional farming Productivity decline& sustainability 8. Carcinogenic due to elevated nitrogen level in farm products Organic Farming in Hong Kong Organic Farming in Hong Kong 2. Daily Consumption of Fresh Food Organic Farming in Hong Kong long Kong 4. Advantages Disadvantages of Agncultural Development in Hong Kong Modemization, specialization, market-oriented and competitive Full use of market information Development of specialized agriculture, e.g. organic farming and protected farming 6. what has aFCd done? rovide efiective and efficient marketing channel Provide low-interest loans to farme Organic Farming in Hong Kong 7. Current Trend of Organic Farming1 Organic Farming and Transgenic Agriculture Agricultural Ecology Photosynthesis: Productivity: NCP = PG – PR –PH Where: NCP = Net Community Productivity PG = Gross Productivity PR = Respiration PH = Heterotrophic consumption History of Agricultural Development Food Gathering Domestication of Crops Green Revolution Organic Farming Transgenic Farming Conventional Agriculture (since Green Revolution) Also known as high input agriculture, capitalist agriculture & industrialized agriculture High inputs of energy subsidies including fertilizers, pesticides, fossil fuels, mechanization, irrigation & advanced technol ogy High outputs at the expense of environmental integrity Palaeotechnic Agriculture Neotechnic Agriculture Pest Control & Pest Fluctuations Problems of Conventional Farming Contamination of ground water & surface water by agrochemicals & sediments Hazards to human and animal health (e.g. residual effect of methamidophos in vegetables, Agent orange in Vietnam, cross-Atlantic DDT contamination) Pest resurgence and resistance Loss of genetic diversity in plants and animals Problems of Conventional Farming 5. Destruction of wildlife species 6. Reduced soil productivity due to: Erosion Salinization Loss of organic matter Compaction Acidification Problems of Conventional Farming Problems of Conventional Farming Organic Agriculture It is an alternative agriculture in which the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is replaced by Organic Matter (e.g. crop residues, green manures, farmyard manures) & biological control. The objectives are: to protect and preserve the agricultural and natural environments to preserve biodiversity to produce quality and safe foods so as to minimize health hazards to recycle and reuse organic wastes Limitations of Organic Agriculture 1. Organic wastes heterogeneous in property and are highly variable in nutritive value Limitations of Organic Agriculture 2. Mineralization of organic matter Time Lapse C : N ratio (nitrate depression period) Limitations of Organic Agriculture 3. Labour, delivery & storage Limitations of Organic Agriculture 4. Acceptance by farmers Farmers reluctant to give up the use of agrochemical Loss of agricultural export 5. Soil adjustment after prolonged years of conventional farming 6. Social & value adjustment 7. Productivity decline & sustainability 8. Carcinogenic due to elevated nitrogen level in farm products Organic Farming in Hong Kong 1. Physical Setting Organic Farming in Hong Kong 2. Daily Consumption of Fresh Food Organic Farming in Hong Kong 3. Productivity in 1999 Organic Farming in Hong Kong 4. Advantages & Disadvantages of Agricultural Development in Hong Kong Organic Farming in Hong Kong 5. Agricultural Development Principles Modernization, specialization, market-oriented and competitive Safe, quality farm produce with high add-on values Full use of market information Development of specialized agriculture, e.g. organic farming and protected farming Organic Farming in Hong Kong 6. What has AFCD done? Provide infrastructure Provide effective and efficient marketing channel Technological support Provide low-interest loans to farmers Search for new market Organic Farming in Hong Kong 7. Current Trend of Organic Farming