SNV ProPoor REDD+ agriculture

SNV Pro-Poor REDD+ Agriculture Benefit Distribution Systems Renewable Energy Low Emission Development Plans Multiple Benefits Participatory Forest Monitoring Agriculture and forests are intrinsically linked because the expansion of the former is traditionally at the expense of the latter, making agriculture one of the leading drivers of deforestation1 One of the most important challenges for the success of REDD+ is to develop approaches that can satisfy the demand for agricultural products and maintain the livelihoods of the many individuals that depend on agriculture, in a manner that does not require the clearing of forests Pirard and Treyer (2010)2, estimated that between 1980 and 2000 83% of new cropland in tropical areas came from natural forested land According to Creed et al (2010)3, 38% of forested land is at high risk of conversion for agriculture Different farming types have different production systems, constraints and risk management strategies which produce different interactions with forests For commercial agri-business, increased yields are likely to drive further deforestation while intensification for small scale and subsistence farmers may lead to a reduced impact on forest areas.4 Different REDD+ approaches and policy options will be required depending on the farming type and landscape within which it is occurring Table provides a summary of some of the key policy options with high potential to meet the dual objectives of REDD+ and agriculture It also highlights the potential socio-economic impacts Table 1: Summary of key policy options5 Policy Description Potential socioeconomic impacts Political feasibility Other policies necessary for improved effectiveness Large-scale land use planning Identification of priority areas for forests for REDD+, agriculture and other land uses Depends on the area and the outcome of the plans Plan should provide greater certainty Moderate; Need strong ownership from regional levels of government Inclusive and participatory process essential for community ownership of plan Tenure reform Securing property rights and tenure claims in forest and agricultural areas; underpins other policy measures If customary use of land is not recognised, further marginalisation of some forest users Moderate but will depend on political power of various interest groups Intensification (commercial agriculture) Increasing agricultural productivity in ways that are ‘climate smart’ in areas away from forests Rising food prices for urban consumer if intensification can’t meet rising demand Generally higher if employment opportunities are created Intensification (small scale and subsistence agriculture) Increasing agricultural productivity in ways that are ‘climate smart’ for all smallholders Benefits to smallholders High Restriction of extensification into forest areas Agroforestry Use of trees in agricultural production systems Additional bi-products which may be particularly beneficial for smallholders High Support and extension services Payments to ecosystem services Payments to landholders for maintenance of existing forests Only landowners are able to benefit Provides an additional income stream to farmers High Improving connections to markets in intensification areas Restriction of extensification in forest areas High in areas identified for intensification Geist, H.J and Lambin, E.F., 2002 Proximate causes and underlying driving forces of tropical deforestation Bio Science, 52(2): 143-150 Pirard, R and Treyer, S., 2010 Agriculture and deforestation: What role should REDD+ and public support policies play? Idées pour le débat N°10/2010 Paris, France: IDDRI Creed, A., Strassburg, B and Latawiec, A., 2010 Agricultural Expansion and REDD+: An Assessment of Risks and Considerations to Inform REDD+ and Land Use Policy Design Policy Brief SNV REDD+ More than 1.6 billion people depend, to varying degrees, on forests for their livelihoods Some 350 million people who live within or adjacent to dense forests depend on them to a high degree for subsistence and income In developing countries about 1.2 billion people rely on agroforestry farming systems that help to sustain agricultural productivity and generate income.6 SNV and agriculture Two billion people worldwide are affected by poverty, hunger or malnutrition, three quarters of whom, including most smallholders, live in rural areas in developing countries From rice farmers to forest people to pastoralists, these individuals and their communities depend on the land, water and forest resources for their livelihoods SNV aim to facilitate these people to work and trade their way out of poverty through improving market access and empowering them to seize the opportunities that exist in agriculture With a growing world population, food demand is projected to increase by 70% globally over the next 40 years, challenging food security but also creating opportunities for smallholders Climate change and great weather variability requires the introduction of more climate resilient agricultural practices SNV’s key response is to provide climate smart, market-based solutions through value chain development and innovative business initiatives (see Figure 1) We strengthen food security and the environmental sustainability of production through focusing on agricultural policies and innovations which recognise smallholders’ potential Figure SNV and agriculture Sustainable Markets Value Chain Development • Producer Group Strengthening • Multi-Actor Platforms • Strengthening Business Service Providers • Sustainability Standards and Certification • Value Chain Financing • Climate Proofing, Vulnerability Analysis • Public Private Policy Dialogue • Knowledge networking Climate Smart Agriculture Food Security Inclusive Business Allow companies to include the poor into their value chains • Supply Chain Development • Work Force Development • New Market Entry Tea, Spices, Rice, Maize, Cassava, Cashew, Fruits, Vegetables Bamboo, Acacia, Pangasius, Shrimps, Cocoa , Non Timber Forest Products Graham K and Vignola, R (2011), REDD+ and Agriculture: A cross-sectoral approach to REDD+ and implications for the poor, REDD-net, London for a summary of the literature Adapted from Graham K and Vignola, R (2011), REDD+ and Agriculture: A cross-sectoral approach to REDD+ and implications for the poor, REDD-net, London for a summary of the literature World Bank 2004 Sustaining forests – a development strategy Washington, DC SNV.2008 Using the Value Chain Approach for Pro-Poor Development: Experiences from Asia, Hanoi SNV activities on REDD+ and agriculture SNV already works with smallholder producers in and around forested areas to support them in upgrading to more sustainable production practices, while reducing pressure on nearby forests (see Box 1) The focus of our work to integrate REDD+ into our agriculture programme is focused around four priority areas: Developing tools to integrate REDD+ and agriculture Unless local communities have a genuine livelihood alternative they will not stop their current activities By careful selection, analysis and development of agriculture value chains it is possible to identify market based solutions which can be used to assist the poor (see Figure 2) SNV has built up an extensive track record in Value Chain Analysis.7 This approach can and is being adopted to ensure it integrates elements of REDD+ In most cases markets are local and producers have little incentive to adhere to best practices Therefore alternatives for integration of REDD+ and agriculture must be sought SNV has established the REDD+ Energy and Agriculture Programme (REAP) to develop supporting tools and aides to help better understand the relationship between agriculture and forest systems within different contexts in order to recommend and introduce REDD+ compliant practices This programme will work across SNV’s programmes in Asia and Africa This will build on the ideas outlined in Box and Figure Figure The steps in the value chain approach Step 1: Value Chain Selection Step 6: Performance Measurement Step 2: Value Chain Analysis Step 5: Identification and Selection of Interventions Step 3: Step 4: Assessment Identification of Market-based Solution www.snvworld.org/redd Land use planning A critical issue is how to balance the need for land from competing sectors to allow for agricultural development and sustainable forest management and protection This can be addressed through land use planning Land use planning should clearly identify areas for new agricultural production, preferably on previously cleared or degraded land, as well as areas that will be targeted for intensification Priority areas for REDD+, such as in denser forest areas, should be targeted and policies introduced to ensure that there is no expansion into these areas This could include removal of support for agricultural activities, land swap schemes, payment for ecological services (PES) schemes and outright bans The issue of factoring in emissions into land use planning is discussed in further detail in SNV’s work on low emissions development planning (See SNV REDD+ briefing paper on Low Emissions Development Planning) Engaging producers, traders and buyers to support higher agriculture standards Where farmers adhere to agriculture standards which require and monitor against environmental criteria then there may exist an incentive for the non-conversion of forests SNV is embarking on a project to work with industry, traders and shrimp producers in hotspots of deforestation in Ca Mau Province, Vietnam, to support them to meet high standards of production to access niche markets in Europe Such standards require the non-conversion of mangrove areas and therefore adherence to them provides a REDD+ compliant agricultural practice Based on this model of targeting areas of deforestation to work with producers, traders and companies along the supply chain to meet agricultural standards which require non-conversion of forested areas, SNV intends to work across a number of commodities; for example aquaculture, palm oil, cocoa and rubber, amongst others Target countries include Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Vietnam and Ghana Box SNV agriculture programme supporting REDD+ SNV is integrating elements of REDD+ into its agricultural programmes around the world This includes the cassava programme in Vietnam which was working with farmers to minimise their impact on forests by promoting better land management and ownership; the rice and vegetables programmes in Cambodia designed around land use intensification through sequential seasonal cropping and improvement of water management; and in Lao PDR SNV has been working to support communal titling and market access for bamboo producers in degraded forest areas For more information on these and other examples please visit: www.snvworld.org/agriculture Figure Agriculture and REDD+ compatible strategies Forest mosaic Degraded and barren lands Forest frontiers Relatively undisturbed forest Dominant agricultural systems Multiple Shifting cultivation; small and medium Concessions; small and medium Small scale subsistence REDD+ strategy Certification; agroforestry; integrated energy systems; planning and zoning Restoration; upgrading technology; intensification; planning and zoning Agriculture intensification and relocation; planning and zoning Bundling ecological services Tools for analysis Scenario modelling; value chain analysis Livelihood assessments; opportunity cost assessment Opportunity cost assessment; scenario modelling Economic valuation Supported by: Contact: Richard McNally Global REDD+ Coordinator rmcnally@snvworld.org For more information on the SNV REDD+ Programme go to www.snvworld.org/redd and follow us on twitter: @SNVREDD If you are interested in receiving our bimonthly newsletter then please contact Nga: nnguyendaotuyet@snvworld.org SNV REDD+ www.snvworld.org/redd ld / dd ... Contact: Richard McNally Global REDD+ Coordinator rmcnally@snvworld.org For more information on the SNV REDD+ Programme go to www.snvworld.org/redd and follow us on twitter: @SNVREDD If you are interested... Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Vietnam and Ghana Box SNV agriculture programme supporting REDD+ SNV is integrating elements of REDD+ into its agricultural programmes around the world This... development strategy Washington, DC SNV. 2008 Using the Value Chain Approach for Pro-Poor Development: Experiences from Asia, Hanoi SNV activities on REDD+ and agriculture SNV already works with smallholder