5.10 Consequences of Agricultural Practices

Describe the environmental effects of Modern Food Production in your country such as pollution, land cover change, desertification, or soil salinization.

Pollution: Food production and livestock directly contribute to emissions, in addition to indirectly contributing to emissions through land use change. These emissions are the main contributor of climate change, and are thus an important indicator of a food system’s contribution to climate change. Furthermore, the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture can lead to water pollution, affecting both surface and groundwater resources. In the Latin America region, over 26% of the population lives on less than $5.50 USD a day. However, in Nicaragua, a Central American country just north of the economically prosperous Costa Rica, the panorama is much worse. Poverty levels are currently at $2 USD a day for 30% of the population with 50% of the households in rural areas living in extreme poverty.

Land Cover Change: In Nicaragua, the food sovereignty model has been a cornerstone of the Sandinista revolution, representing a significant shift in land use patterns. This model illustrates a system of food production that is completely antithetical to the industrial food chain34. However, land cover change still occurs due to various factors, including agricultural expansion and deforestation. These changes can lead to loss of biodiversity, disruption of ecosystems, and increased carbon emissions. The dynamics of land use, based on LANDSAT satellite images from the years 1978, 1986, 1998 and 2011 in La Vía Láctea (Nicaragua), was analyzed to estimate its impact on four ecosystem services (habitat for species, carbon stock, greenhouse gas regulation and food production)4

Desertification: Many parts of Nicaragua, including agricultural regions, are experiencing increasing groundwater depletion, where the withdrawal rate exceeds the recharge rate. This can lead to desertification over time, degrading the land and making it less productive for agriculture. Severe droughts caused by the El Niño weather effect have critically impacted Nicaragua since 2014 with lower-than-historical rainfall and extended dry seasons hitting hard at the rural agricultural sector. Cattle ranchers in the departments of Boaco and Matagalpa have witnessed the fluctuating climate over the past few years and noticed its direct impact to their profitability.

Soil Salinization: While specific data on soil salinization in Nicaragua is not readily available, it’s important to note that the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in modern agriculture can lead to soil salinization. This can reduce crop yields, degrade soil health, and ultimately threaten food security. Soil salinization is a multifactorial phenomenon that can occur naturally by raising sea level or water intrusion from sea, river or groundwater, but can also be of anthropogenic origin through agricultural intensification, inappropriate management practices, and use of residual irrigation water or excessive application of mineral fertilizers.

describe agricultural practices that have altered the landscape such as slash and burn, terraces, irrigation, deforestation, draining wetlands, shifting cultivation, or pastoral nomadism. 

Slash and Burn & Shifting Cultivation: These are traditional farming practices that involve clearing land by cutting down and burning trees and plants. After a few years of cultivation, the land is left fallow to regain its fertility. While specific data on slash and burn or shifting cultivation in Nicaragua is not readily available, it’s important to note that these practices can lead to deforestation and loss of biodiversity.

Terracing is indeed a significant agricultural practice, especially in hilly or mountainous regions. By creating flat areas on slopes, terracing allows for more effective farming and can help prevent soil erosion, a major environmental concern. However, it’s worth noting that while terracing can increase agricultural productivity, it also significantly alters the natural landscape, which can have impacts on local ecosystems. Additionally, the construction and maintenance of terraces require significant labor and resources, which can have socio-economic implications for farming communities.

Irrigation and Draining Wetlands: In Nicaragua, addressing water excess and scarcity is crucial for agricultural productivity and food security. Drainage systems, similar to those used in the United States, are installed to manage water-logged conditions, allowing for a longer growing season and reducing yield losses from excessive precipitation. Irrigation systems, which can range from small on-farm arrangements to vast regional schemes, are also essential, especially considering that only up to 10% of arable land in Nicaragua is irrigated. These systems utilize various water sources, including surface water and groundwater, and employ different application methods like flood irrigation, sprinkler systems, and drip irrigation. However, these practices can have environmental impacts, including increased chemical losses to water bodies and changes in ecosystems. Therefore, sustainable practices such as soil improvement and efficient water management are vital. Healthy soils with good aggregation, enhanced organic matter levels, and limited compaction can reduce the need for irrigation water. Ultimately, balancing the benefits of irrigation and drainage with their environmental impacts is key to sustainable agriculture in Nicaragua.

Pastoral Nomadism: In the Latin America region, including Nicaragua, sustainable ranching systems are being implemented. Instead of traditional, large swaths of land for cattle grazing, silvopastoral systems are ranching models that focus on three forage levels - grasses, bushes, and trees - and within a controlled smaller plot of land. The impacts of these systems are widespread. The ranchers invest less into their farm as they now have sufficient food year-round.

Deforstation: The rate of deforestation in Nicaragua is alarming. The country, home to the second-largest rainforest in the Americas after the Amazon, is losing its forests at the fastest rate in the world2. Deforestation has surged since 2014, when the government took direct control of Nicaragua’s national forestry agency. This environmental disaster has been fueled by corruption inside Nicaragua’s forestry agency, the Instituto National Forestal (Inafor), and enabled by the first family. The impact of this deforestation is far-reaching. It threatens the livelihoods of indigenous communities who depend on the forests for their survival. Furthermore, it leads to the loss of biodiversity and disrupts ecosystems. The situation is particularly dire in Nicaragua’s Bosawás and Indio Maíz biosphere reserves, which have experienced severe encroachment into primary forests by cattle ranching, mining, and logging.

describe the recent changes in the diets  of the population due to agricultural practices in your country

Recent changes in the diets of the Nicaraguan population have been influenced by improvements in agricultural practices and technology. 

Between 2015 and 2019, communities along Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast have seen an increase in the production of nutrition-smart crops and products. This has been achieved through better agricultural practices, technology, and nutritional knowledge, leading to enhanced food security and nutritional status. 

Smallholder-farmer associations have gained capacity and technical skills in food security, nutrition, food production, post-harvest management, food processing, and marketing. As a result, agricultural productivity increased by 78%, and the number of food groups consumed daily by women and children under five increased by 91%. Additionally, sustainable ranching systems have been introduced, focusing on pasture rotation, planting drought-resistant forage, and improving water access points for cattle. 

This model of ranching, which includes silvopastoral systems, has led to less investment needed in farms and sufficient food year-round2. These initiatives have contributed to a more diverse and secure diet for the Nicaraguan population, particularly in rural areas where poverty and malnutrition levels were previously high.