Technologies

This learning sequence examines methods of conserving and recycling nutrients in food and fibre production in the countries of Asia.

Engage

1. Watch the documentary exploring sustainable farming (below) and write a paragraph describing what the New Economic Forum's proposed vision is for farming. Discuss your findings as a class.
2. Conduct a Compass Point activity focusing on this new vision:
   • E – describe what excites you about this vision.
   • W – describe what worries you about this vision.
   • N – describe what you need to know to make an balanced evaluation about the vision.
   • S – describe your current stance on the proposed vision and why have you come to this position.
3. Pair up and share your answers.

Explore

1. Watch the documentary below describing low input sustainable farming practices in India and Vietnam. Discuss as a class the difference between current mechanised farming methods and LEISA methods.
2. Gather information from the following websites:
   • ‬‬‬‬Putting Farmers First – the organisation's website describing low input sustainable farming
   • ‬‬‬‬LEISA practices in India – a series of images showing low external input sustainable agriculture in India
   • ‬‬‬‬VECO – an article describing sustainable farming practices in Vietnam
   • ‬‬‬‬SNV sustainable rice growing in Vietnam – a website describing sustainable rice growing techniques
3. Conduct a ‬‬‬‬compass rose activity for each set of farming practices and have a class debate on the positives and negatives of each. Decide as a class which practices might be more appropriate for developing countries such as India and Vietnam.

Reflect

1. Look at some of the current collaborative projects between Australian scientists and communities in the Asia region. Assess and describe the importance of knowledge sharing and future food security.
   • Developing climate change adaptation strategies for farming communities in Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh and India – describing current collaborative CSIRO agricultural projects with countries of Asia
   • ‬‬‬‬TIA Research programs – describing collaborative Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture projects occurring in the Asia region
2. Use the ‬‬‬‬Futures wheel to predict the impact of knowledge collaboration. Discuss your responses.

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