objectives

The overall objective is to contribute to the development of more sustainable interaction in the rural urban interface through effective recycling of by-products, wastes and water (here called urban wastes) in peri-urban farming systems based on sound risk assessments and policies related to human health and environmental impact. This will be achieved through developing an Integrated Knowledge Based System (IKBS), combining the goals of food safety, low environmental impact and high profitability for farmers.

There is a growing concern about the risk of contamination of waters, soils and agricultural products, in the rapid urbanising areas in Asia due to heavy, or inappropriate, use of organic wastes, fertilisers, pesticides, and poor quality irrigation water. In this project recycling of urban wastes and the use of agro-chemicals in current and novel small-scale vegetable based farming systems in peri-urban areas of China, Vietnam and Thailand, will be evaluated and provide consumer and producer organisations and local government with relevant science to help them find and negotiate solutions. Several factors, including crop product (food and fodder) quality, long term soil quality and fertility, pollution and potential pollution of surface waters, including impact on wetland and coastal areas, and potential leaching to underground aquifers, will be used for the evaluation.

Our hypothesis is that sustainable options can be developed through merging scientific and local knowledge and perceptions. Several tools such as simulation modelling, database development, and participatory methods, will be integrated to develop an IKBS to support decision taking. Vegetable-based farming systems, including current practice in China and Vietnam, and novel experimental systems in Thailand will be used as case studies.

Specific objectives

To quantify scientifically a) the environmental impact on soils and waters and b) risks for human and animal health as a consequence of the food and fodder quality, by current and alternative farming practices concerning the use of urban wastes, fertilisers and pesticides. Verification criteria: Database of current element balances and crop quality. Inventory of current and alternative pathways of urban wastes to the peri-urban small scale farming systems. Modelled scenarios for alternative farming practices emphasising the use of urban solid waste, wastewaters, fertilisers and pesticides. Estimation of the impacts of the scenarios in time and spatial scales. FAO-WHO and national limit values (maximum tolerable concentrations of heavy metals, pesticides etc).
To determine the local agro-ecological knowledge of producers/farmers, consumers, and policy makers on the use of “urban wastes”, food and fodder quality, farm profitability and environmental impact of the current and alternative farming practices. Verification criteria: Knowledge bases comprising what is known by different actors (farmers, consumers, policy makers) on each topic, analysis of knowledge flows amongst actors and analysis of key gaps in knowledge.
To implement and disseminate the knowledge gained in the project (objectives 1-2) through a) development of a set of decision support tools appropriate to different actors – advisers and policy makers and for farmers to be reached via advisers or community based organisations, as well as b) to develop interaction of producers/farmers and consumers through an effective and responsive local agricultural knowledge and information system as well as through a participatory learning process. Verification criteria: A set of decision support tools, developed based on the outputs from the objectives 1 to 2. Several study visits, workshops and Farmers Field Schools (FFS) and FFS clubs. Extension materials.
To contribute towards building local capacity through involving graduate Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai students in conducting research. Verification criteria: Several MSc and Ph.D. degrees will be obtained by the students involved using findings from the projects; Short courses will be organised for relevant topics.


An integrated knowledge based approach for nutrient and water recycling in small-scale farming systems in peri-urban areas of China and Vietnam
Main Internal Participants Objectives Timetable Documents Contacts Grants and Scholarships Workshops	The overall objective is to contribute to the development of more sustainable interaction in the rural urban interface through effective recycling of by-products, wastes and water (here called urban wastes) in peri-urban farming systems based on sound risk assessments and policies related to human health and environmental impact. This will be achieved through developing an Integrated Knowledge Based System (IKBS), combining the goals of food safety, low environmental impact and high profitability for farmers. There is a growing concern about the risk of contamination of waters, soils and agricultural products, in the rapid urbanising areas in Asia due to heavy, or inappropriate, use of organic wastes, fertilisers, pesticides, and poor quality irrigation water. In this project recycling of urban wastes and the use of agro-chemicals in current and novel small-scale vegetable based farming systems in peri-urban areas of China, Vietnam and Thailand, will be evaluated and provide consumer and producer organisations and local government with relevant science to help them find and negotiate solutions. Several factors, including crop product (food and fodder) quality, long term soil quality and fertility, pollution and potential pollution of surface waters, including impact on wetland and coastal areas, and potential leaching to underground aquifers, will be used for the evaluation. Our hypothesis is that sustainable options can be developed through merging scientific and local knowledge and perceptions. Several tools such as simulation modelling, database development, and participatory methods, will be integrated to develop an IKBS to support decision taking. Vegetable-based farming systems, including current practice in China and Vietnam, and novel experimental systems in Thailand will be used as case studies. Specific objectives To quantify scientifically a) the environmental impact on soils and waters and b) risks for human and animal health as a consequence of the food and fodder quality, by current and alternative farming practices concerning the use of urban wastes, fertilisers and pesticides. Verification criteria: Database of current element balances and crop quality. Inventory of current and alternative pathways of urban wastes to the peri-urban small scale farming systems. Modelled scenarios for alternative farming practices emphasising the use of urban solid waste, wastewaters, fertilisers and pesticides. Estimation of the impacts of the scenarios in time and spatial scales. FAO-WHO and national limit values (maximum tolerable concentrations of heavy metals, pesticides etc). To determine the local agro-ecological knowledge of producers/farmers, consumers, and policy makers on the use of “urban wastes”, food and fodder quality, farm profitability and environmental impact of the current and alternative farming practices. Verification criteria: Knowledge bases comprising what is known by different actors (farmers, consumers, policy makers) on each topic, analysis of knowledge flows amongst actors and analysis of key gaps in knowledge. To implement and disseminate the knowledge gained in the project (objectives 1-2) through a) development of a set of decision support tools appropriate to different actors – advisers and policy makers and for farmers to be reached via advisers or community based organisations, as well as b) to develop interaction of producers/farmers and consumers through an effective and responsive local agricultural knowledge and information system as well as through a participatory learning process. Verification criteria: A set of decision support tools, developed based on the outputs from the objectives 1 to 2. Several study visits, workshops and Farmers Field Schools (FFS) and FFS clubs. Extension materials. To contribute towards building local capacity through involving graduate Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai students in conducting research. Verification criteria: Several MSc and Ph.D. degrees will be obtained by the students involved using findings from the projects; Short courses will be organised for relevant topics.
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