Guandong Province, a key agricultural hub in China, is renowned for its high agricultural trade volume and significant contribution to technological and scientific progress. However, the province’s agricultural practices are not solely focused on productivity and profit, but rather, they are deeply rooted in Ecological Civilization and thousands of years of land stewardship under traditional farming practices.
This approach acknowledges that civilization thrives as ecology thrives; that man and nature are one; the integrity of natural resources (water and land) is invaluable and benefits mankind; and that humanity has a role in the natural system. The goals of such social and environmental reform according to these principles and using the various capitals (economic, educational, political, cultural, social) are to minimise climate disruption and social injustices.
- Resource conservation and environmentally friendly agriculture
- Minimizing climate disruption and social injustices
- Integration between urban and rural contexts
Professor Wen Tiejun, an expert in macroeconomics and sustainable development of Renmin University, suggests that in order “to confront the social and economic changes underway at a global level, we need to work on the integration between the urban and rural contexts.” Some of the methods to achieve this integration are to engage consumers directly with the food they eat through organic farming, urban farms and Community Supported Agriculture close to population centres so that they understand the relationship between healthy soils and thriving communities.
Classic Agroecology: The Case of Rice Production
A classic example of agroecology is rice production, where aquatic animals are produced in the paddy. Ducks manage pests and weeds, fertilise the fields and oxygenate the growing medium. This practice has been shown to reduce emissions by around 40% according to studies in 2017. A case-study of such a mixed farming polyculture system in Anhui was highlighted in a 2023 United Nations report on Climate-Smart agriculture in China: the old is new again.
| Benefits of Mixed Farming Polyculture System | Description |
|---|---|
| Increased farmers’ income | Farmers can earn more by producing multiple crops and animals simultaneously. |
| Improved food safety, food security, and environmental and biodiversity preservation | The system promotes sustainable agriculture and reduces the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. |
| Lower volume of inputs due to synthesis of mutually beneficial elements | The system utilizes nature’s circular systems to produce more with less. |
The implementation of green development policies has led to a decrease in required inputs and a slowing of water and land degradation. The macro-level trend is encouraging, but to maintain this direction, we should continue to encourage engagement by consumers with food, their farmers and farming practices through Community Supported Agriculture and other social enterprises and localized farm systems.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in Guandong Province
Community Supported Agriculture is a system of risk sharing between farmers and consumers that originated in America in the 1980s. In China, it is translated as 社区支持, a form of social sustainable agriculture (社会生). Consumers pay for a share of the harvest up front and sometimes offer their labour.
CSA was introduced to Hong Kong around 2003 by NGOs like Partners for Community Development. The first CSA conference in China was held at Renmin University in 2009. Since then, several farms have been established, such as Little Donkey Farm, Shared Harvest Farm, and others.
| Farms | Description |
|---|---|
| Little Donkey Farm | A government-supported CSA in partnership with Renmin University Rural Construction Center and Sustainable Development Advance Institute. |
| Shared Harvest Farm | A 2.6-hectare farm associated with Community Food Safety Research and Extension Center, Tsinghua University. |
These farms were established in response to chemical reliant farming practices, environmental damage, and erosion, and food safety concerns. By building relationships between consumers and farmers, these concerns are alleviated.
Urban Agriculture in Hong Kong
Urban agriculture is becoming increasingly important in Hong Kong as the region faces food security concerns. The city has only 1.8% of its vegetables produced locally, and awareness is growing that urban agriculture is necessary to alleviate organic waste issues and reduce food mileage and carbon footprint.
Grow CityU is a living laboratory of sustainability, the first organic rooftop in Hong Kong. It promotes urban rooftop farming and educates people on sustainable lifestyles. There are garden plots for students and staff to farm, and organic fertilizers, seeds, and farming tools available. Intercropping and crop rotation are encouraged to minimize disease, and plastics must be removed from the garden to avoid contamination.
Macau’s Potential for Ecological Civilization
Macau, a small but densely populated region, is yet to develop a Community Supported Agriculture or community farm that provides the full gamut of offerings available in Hong Kong or mainland China. However, with the right community buy-in, Macau can also become an Ecological Civilization.
The region has seen the establishment of small backyard plots, hospice gardens, and a market garden in Coloane open to the public. While there is still much work to be done, Macau’s potential for Ecological Civilization is promising.
Conclusion
The development of community-supported agriculture, community organic agriculture, and permaculture in Guandong Province and Hong Kong is crucial for sustainable development. These models can offer cross-generational mentoring and various forms of therapy for the vulnerable and disadvantaged in society. By promoting urban agriculture and engaging consumers with food, farmers, and farming practices, we can create a more sustainable future for our communities.