IFMA Congress in Warsaw, Poland
Robert Patterson attended the 19th IFMA (International Farm Management Association) Congress in Warsaw, Poland during July, as well as participating in both the Pre and Post Congress tours which looked at agriculture in Poland. The majority of attendees were advisors and academics involved in extension research from around the world, but particularly from Canada, USA, UK, South Africa and New Zealand. This was a valuable networking and learning experience, which was initiated from attendance at the 18th IFMA Congress in New Zealand in 2011.
Some of the pertinent quotes and observations from the Congress and tours are as follows:
Australian farmers by necessity are very efficient and innovative, as they operate in a subsidy-free market economy. By comparison, subsidies in other countries stifle innovation.
All of the farms visited operated some leased country as well as that which they owned. This appears to be a very common practice throughout the world, with up to 70% of land farmed in many parts of USA and UK being leased rather than owned. Leasing is in its infancy in this part of the world, but it is expected that leasing will be a growing trend here, due to the increasing disconnect between those with capital to invest and those with the farm management skills and passion.
Land is seen as a defensive asset by those with capital, leading to increasing interest in it as an investment class. This will ultimately contribute further to upward price pressures on farm land.
Governments are becoming increasingly interested in how farm land is being managed, particularly with respect to fertilizer and pesticide usage. It was stated that if those involved in agriculture do not propose clever things with regards to the management of natural resources, governments will impose unrealistic programmes and restrictions on agriculture. It has to be demonstrated to the wider public, that farmers can be the best land managers.
Integrated Pest and Weed Management (IPM and IWM) will become increasingly necessary and desirable in future, as no new “silver bullets” from different chemical groups are in the pipeline.
The application of pesticides through seed coating rather than broadacre spraying will increase, as this treatment can be more targeted and better for the environment.
The world will not run out of food, as corn used in ethanol production in USA could be diverted to food, but the price volatility of corn and subsequently other grains will increase.
Weather volatility will increase with more severe events experienced, resulting in increased environmental stresses on crops.
MIS (Management Information Systems) will become increasingly important in agriculture, as measurement of appropriate parameters results in their more effective management
Training is one of the best motivational investments in staff.
Finally the best quote heard “farmers should purchase inputs and not be sold inputs”.