57
Government policy can help ranchers shift to silvopastoral systems with less
risk. In Colombia, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is implementing more opportunity for ranchers to formalize ownership of land through
secure land titling and helping ranchers to gain greater access to finance, as well as
to certify they did not gain land through deforestation. Pilot programs are now available that provide low-interest loans and technical assistance to ranchers who want
to convert their operations to silvopastoral systems. Eventually, more retail chains
may be incentivized to purchase zero-deforestation beef, similar to retail agreements in Colombia with coffee growers.
By focusing on reducing costs, by providing quality meat and milk, and by certifying zero-deforestation branded meat and milk, Colombia’s ranchers may be able
to compete with imported products for the rising number of middle-class consumers. Implementing silvopastoral systems is an example of how innovation and productivity benefit farmers, consumers, and the environment.
2.8.2 How Innovation Grows More Sustainable Pork
in the United States
Decades of public research and development along with research and growing partnerships with the private sector have resulted in high levels of pork productivity in
the United States. Today is only takes five breeding hogs to produce the same
amount of pork from eight hogs in 1959, or 38% fewer breeding animals.
3
As
recently as 1989, the United States was a net importer of pork; today it is a net
exporter, reaching more than 100 countries.
4
Consumers in these markets trust the
safety and quality of US pork products, and demand continues to grow.
This substantial increase in pork productivity demonstrates how TFP works and
the economic and environmental benefits of productivity growth.
Widespread adoption of innovative technologies and practices has increased
pork output using the same amount or less land, labor, fertilizer, feed, machinery,
and livestock. Efficient uses of these inputs generated cost savings for producers
and consumers and improvements in the environmental footprint of the pork and
animal feed value chains.
Pork productivity begins in the genes. Genetic researchers and veterinarians analyzed hundreds of animal traits to select and mate pigs to breed descendants that are
healthier, use less feed, and produce more meat. Heritage breeds are cross-bred to
create the best meat flavor and quality for consumers.
The pork feed value chain has also experienced a dramatic increase in productivity and sustainability (Box 2.9). Over the past 30 years, productivity-enhancing crop
technologies and practices reduced the amount of land, labor, machinery hours,
3 https://www.pork.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/10-174-Boyd-Camco-final-5-22-12.pdf
4 https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/charts/83729/usporkexports1.png?v=42887
2 Productivity in Agriculture for a Sustainable Future
Government policy can help ranchers shift to silvopastoral systems with less
risk. In Colombia, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is implementing more opportunity for ranchers to formalize ownership of land through
secure land titling and helping ranchers to gain greater access to finance, as well as
to certify they did not gain land through deforestation. Pilot programs are now available that provide low-interest loans and technical assistance to ranchers who want
to convert their operations to silvopastoral systems. Eventually, more retail chains
may be incentivized to purchase zero-deforestation beef, similar to retail agreements in Colombia with coffee growers.
By focusing on reducing costs, by providing quality meat and milk, and by certifying zero-deforestation branded meat and milk, Colombia’s ranchers may be able
to compete with imported products for the rising number of middle-class consumers. Implementing silvopastoral systems is an example of how innovation and productivity benefit farmers, consumers, and the environment.
2.8.2 How Innovation Grows More Sustainable Pork
in the United States
Decades of public research and development along with research and growing partnerships with the private sector have resulted in high levels of pork productivity in
the United States. Today is only takes five breeding hogs to produce the same
amount of pork from eight hogs in 1959, or 38% fewer breeding animals.
3
As
recently as 1989, the United States was a net importer of pork; today it is a net
exporter, reaching more than 100 countries.
4
Consumers in these markets trust the
safety and quality of US pork products, and demand continues to grow.
This substantial increase in pork productivity demonstrates how TFP works and
the economic and environmental benefits of productivity growth.
Widespread adoption of innovative technologies and practices has increased
pork output using the same amount or less land, labor, fertilizer, feed, machinery,
and livestock. Efficient uses of these inputs generated cost savings for producers
and consumers and improvements in the environmental footprint of the pork and
animal feed value chains.
Pork productivity begins in the genes. Genetic researchers and veterinarians analyzed hundreds of animal traits to select and mate pigs to breed descendants that are
healthier, use less feed, and produce more meat. Heritage breeds are cross-bred to
create the best meat flavor and quality for consumers.
The pork feed value chain has also experienced a dramatic increase in productivity and sustainability (Box 2.9). Over the past 30 years, productivity-enhancing crop
technologies and practices reduced the amount of land, labor, machinery hours,
3 https://www.pork.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/10-174-Boyd-Camco-final-5-22-12.pdf
4 https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/charts/83729/usporkexports1.png?v=42887
2 Productivity in Agriculture for a Sustainable Future