Sustainable agriculture and resource management in Asia

The chapter begins by considering why during the period 1967-82, cereal production in Myanmar, Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan increased by more than 90%, which resulted in a rapid growth in caloric intake. Yet cereal production in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao, Nepal and Vietnam increased at a rate less than their population growth (about 50%) during the same period, giving only a small increase or considerably negative growth in caloric intake per caput. The analysis suggests that the most decisive factor of the success of the Green Revolution was political stability and sustained government policy, the experience of the latter countries indicates that the donors' role was smaller than the countries' own efforts in terms of investment, and that the technical breakthroughs bypassed these countries. The implications of environmentally sustainable agriculture are discussed in relation to Japan's agricultural foreign and domestic policy. The implementation by Indonesia of successive National Five Year Development Plans since 1969 is used as a case study. Suggestions are made for sustainable agricultural projects relating to agroforestry, pepper cultivation and slash-and-burn techniques in Indonesia. The development of innovative technology for agricultural resource management is examined, in relation to watershed management and pilot research for sustainable agriculture in agro-ecological areas. The conclusion considers the future following the agreements signed at the UNCED held in Rio de Janeiro, 1992. The highlights of the Rio Declaration are listed, based on the broad consensus reached, and realistic targets of socioeconomic development are sought in harmony with sustainable development and ecology.