Background
Circular economy approaches have been a major enabler of transforming agri-food production to achieve the world sustainable development agenda. In organic rice production, a circular economy model has been adopted through farming rice-shrimp together, to minimise the pollution from chemical uses and reduce production costs. However, a main challenge is the rising sea tide and increasingly salted water in coastal regions where are popular to the rice-shrimp farming.
The project is undertaking case studies with the rice producer, farmers and other relevant stakeholders to identify the sustainable practice in this circular economy production system. It aims to enhance understanding of impacts of key technical, managerial and social factors on resilience and sustainability of the production system and develop solutions to achieve the sustainable production goals under climate change.
Research
With present challenge of the increasingly salted water, the uncertainty in productivity, farmers engagement and product quality significantly affect the sustainability of the rice-shrimp farming. Case studies are undertaken with the rice producer, farmer cooperatives and local agencies to verify climate resilient production against the uncertainties. Research insights have been developing into technical, economic and managerial aspects:
- Through an analysis of the productivity, resistance of salty water and cost of production of crop/shrimp variants, demonstrate optimal solutions for practical guidance in various scenarios - seasons, weather, resources. This will minimise the impact of climate change.
- Analyse relationships among the agri-food producers, farmers, seafood producers, cooperatives and local governments and inform efficient organisational setting of supply chains, including pricing, risk aversion approaches, contracting mechanism and government regulations, towards collaborative operations in circular supply chains.
Impact
The case-based research will generate great impacts on sustainable practice of the organic farming and food production with minimised climate change impacts. The research with cases in South Asia will generate wider impacts on facilitating transforming agri-food production practice, particularly benefit to agri-businesses under climate change threats.
Through verifying and disseminating the circular economy enabled rice-shrimp production model with the stakeholders, the project will enhance sustainability of agri-food production sector with:
- Enhanced farming environment performance by minimising the pollution from chemical use of pesticide and fertiliser;
- Enhanced economic performance by reducing costs of production resources in rice farming;
- Enhanced consumer health and social welfare by facilitating low cost organic food production;
- Enhanced understanding of resilient and efficient management approaches to the rice farming under climate change;
- Enhanced sustainable food security in principal food supply around the world by disseminating the sustainable circular economy practice under climate change in Asia.
Dr Dong Li
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