Summary: Information / Discussion

Organic and sustainable agriculture

In this session on organic and sustainable agriculture, presenters talked about the wide-ranging social as well as agricultural and ecological benefits of organic farming. They also talked about the power of the consumer in making positive choices when purchasing food.

Dr. Angelina Briones from the University of Binos, he Philippines, told delegates, "Organic agriculture is sustainable agriculture put in practice". Besides food production, she explained, it can support poverty alleviation, functional literacy and social cohesiveness". Presenters agreed that organic farming is the only way to protect environmental and human resources.
Lawrance Woodword from ElmFarm Research Centre observed that while scientists spend enormous amounts of money on genetic engineering, cultural traditions and nature itself provide many practical techniques for crop protection, citing the nin tree and the use of animals, such as ducks, for insect control.False-Myths about Organic Agriculture
According to Dr. Briones' studies, organic agriculture is generally seen in diverse negative ways by the general public: a backward agriculture with no need for intensive research, an agriculture that will impoverish and starve the nation, or a kind of agriculture with products just for the elite or for export.

In her view, organic agriculture is ecologically sound; it regenerates the land, regains biodiversity and restores productivity. It produces quality food for society, contributes to agro-ecosystem health, and provides diverse sources of food and income to the farming household.

The Philippines and the Dominican Republic were used as case studies where organic farming is producing lower food prices. This is because poor farmers avoid bank loans, preferring to use natural pesticides and fertilizers, and bio-gas from animals to provide fuel for light and cooking.

Organic agriculture has been a viable option for poor farmers in countries such as Indonesia, Egypt, Costa Rica, China, Japan and Brazil.

The future is in our hands
Organic agriculture brings up awareness about other topics and rights. "Farmer-leaders advocate agrarian reform, land occupation, intellectual property rights and genetically modified crops", concluded Dr. Briones. Added Mr. Geir, "The future is in our hands, even if we are not farmers. We go to supermarkets, and if your hand goes for fast food or slow food...you are the one who decides what to eat".

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