SYNOPSIS

Presently, food security and climate change are two common issues of concern in most nations. Modern agriculture has been linked with the two issues, both as a contributor and as the affected. The focus of this talk is on the nature on this interrelationship, the way forward and, the opportunity windows that are open for engineers in the process.

To mitigate its negative contributions to the global warming phenomenon, modern agriculture practices need to undergo changes. Several approaches to reinvent these practices have been undertaken in several countries. One such approach is that of Sustainable Agriculture. Of late this approach has advanced into a more restorative approach called Regenerative Agriculture. These approaches are briefly outlined. Lack of agricultural land for food production is a stumbling block to increasing local food production. One approach to overcome this is to undertake farming on any available land space irrespective of its size or location. Such approach is called Micro Farming. This approach is more liberal in terms of the scale and location where food is produced and also by whom. It is apparent that partial resolution of the twin local issues of food security and climate change could be achieved by integrating Regenerative Agriculture into Micro Farming and by popularising it among all citizens. The all-in-one approach is called Regenerative Micro Farming. Similar approach has been adopted successfully elsewhere. The strategies and practices that could be adopted by practitioners of this approach is highlighted in the talk. As enabling professionals, engineers could take on several roles in Regenerative Micro Farming and participate in the effort to improve our environment and food availability.


BIODATA OF SPEAKER

Ir. Ayob Sukra
KMN, BSc (Hons) (Silsoe), MSc
(Reading), PEPC, MIEM, MIAgrE (UK)

Ir. Ayob Sukra is an agricultural engineer with bachelor and master degrees in the discipline. He had 36 years of work experience in R&D specialising in farm machinery design & development, and in mechanised production systems for tropical food crops. He also had several years of management experience at an R&D organisation. Ir. Ayob and wife had for over 15 years operated their own organic home-based micro farm focusing in herbal, medicinal, and selected edible plants. He had also been supervising the family’s small holder farm involving rice, coconut and oil palm. Publications (with ISBN) authored by Ir. Ayob: Books and booklets (12),refereed journal articles (7), published conference papers (25).