Issues and challenges of sustainable agriculture in the Cameron Highlands
The challenge of producing enough food is increasingly affecting almost all developing countries as they prioritise support for industry ahead of agriculture. However, in recent decades, many countries, including Malaysia, have realised the need for food security and self-sufficiency and have emb...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Environmental Management Society, Malaysia
2009
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/2290/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/2290/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/2290/1/MJEM_2009_6_Barrow__ok_.pdf |
| Summary: | The challenge of producing enough food is increasingly affecting almost all
developing countries as they prioritise support for industry ahead of agriculture.
However, in recent decades, many countries, including Malaysia, have realised
the need for food security and self-sufficiency and have embarked on an
intensive agricultural programme. Consequently, many tropical highlands
suitable for crops are suffering environmental damage through intensive farming
with little or no enforcement and control. The Cameron Highlands of Malaysia is
an example whereby large tracts of pristine montane forests have been cleared
for intensive farming, both for food crops and flowers. This paper examines how
farmers, with little government help, interact with environment, changing
markets, infrastructure development, indigenous peoples, tourism, and other
factors. The paper is based on detailed observation and interviews with farmers,
grower associations, government officers and indigenous people to gather
information related to farming, land degradation, threats to production and
possible sustainable farming options. The results show that Cameron Highlands
farmers, despite being left alone facing great challenges, are adapting well and
are often flourishing. Many have intensified production, and some are moving
toward less environmentally-damaging sustainable strategies. Pressure from
NGOs and civil society with stricter government regulation has led to better
control of land clearance and degradation, but this has forced farmers to move
to neighbouring states. Organic farming is taking off though only a small
percentage of growers are involved. Overall, the farmers have demonstrated
great resilience, learnt new techniques, initiated and supported more
environmentally friendly farming methods, and adapted well to environmental
and socio-economic change with little or no outside help |
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