Ecology and Farming No 1/2011

Page 1

ecology farming nr 1 // February 2011

AND

IFOAM

BUY DIFFERENT BUY 7IN1

SEEDS FROM INDIA

Yes, Organic can feed the world!

But how?

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

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Table of Con tents

FEBRUARY 2011 // NR 1

Market & economy 12 Green banking

food security 18 How can organic feed the world?

Triodos bank’s trade finance for or­ ganic and fair trade export projects Some figures from the market and the chain

The theme of the BioFach Congress. IFOAM director Markus Arbenz ­explains how organic agriculture can feed the world’s growing ­population

education 14 Schoolgardens

Agro-biodiversity 30 Breeding for resilience

23 Coffee economics

Country reports 37 Russia Short report about biodynamics in Russia

42 Iran Rapid development of organic production after a difficult start

How to breed robust, more stress tolerant cultivars in organic ­agriculture

Organic & health 39 Buy ‘Seven in One’

LOGO invites young people from Eastern Europe to do scholarships in organic farming

Standards & certification 34 Ecosocial

46 Seed, the life line

Ifoam issues 16 The organic movement meets in

A certification system In Latin America integrates organic standards with environmental, social and ­economic goals

Organic schoolgardens in Ghana are used as farmer field schools, and to feed the children

28 Trainees on organic farms

South Korea

The 17th IFOAM Organic World Congress will be held in Korea in September.

44 The IFOAM OGS Draws the line between what is organic and what not

Food choice is one of the tools for supporting sustainability Vanja Ramprasad report from India about the real green revolution

And more.... Editorial 5 News 6 Calendar 49 Preview next issue 50

Innovation in agriculture 24 Organic greenhouses Mike Nichols from New Zealand travelled to Europe for a workshop and opens a debate about which system to choose: aquaponic or growing in the soil?

Country-reports 8 The first Russian organic ­products chain

Marina Goldinberg reports on chain development in Moscow Oblast

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ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

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Work ing Working with

Nature

introduction

Denise Godinho

Peter Brul

At different times In different places

Innovation & inspiration

Bejo, a name that stands for quality

World leader in seed for organic outdoor vegetables • Breeding • Seed production • Processing • Sales For the organic market

Nuremberg, Germany 16-19 February 2011 hall 5, stand 114

It is not a coincidence that the re-launch of Ecology &

for the daily meals of schoolchildren. Creating syner-

Farming is timed to coincide with BioFach 2011; the

gies, these school gardens also serve as demonstration

theme of this fair is also the title of our feature article in

plots for Farmer Field Schools, where local farmers

which we ask, “Yes, Organic can feed the world!

learn how to make compost and to farm organically.

But how?”

In India, the Foundation for Genetic Resource Energy,

The high level of attendance at BioFach in 2010, a

Ecology and Nutrition (GREEN) works with small and

year of economic crisis, with 43,669 organic trade visi-

marginal farmers to preserve endangered species,

tors from 121 countries and 2,557 exhibitors from 87

varieties and breeds, through community seed banks

countries – indicates that there is enough passion in

and organic agriculture. Instead of prioritising pro-

the organic world to feed the world. In this edition, the

ductivity (to the detriment of genetic diversity) organic

article by Markus Arbenz, IFOAM’s Executive Director,

farmers use (and build) biodiversity by breeding crop

explores the ways in which organic produce can nou-

varieties for quality, nutrition, resistance and yield.

rish the world and the challenges that we face on the

These are but two examples of the many stories that

way to achieving food security.

actors from all over the globe have to tell. They echo the full diversity of the organic movement which IFOAM

Taking place every February, BioFach is certainly the

represents. The organic industry is a very innovative

place to do business, but it is also a celebration, an

movement. Around the world farmers, market garde-

organic party, where people get inspired by what the

ners, agronomists, traders, food processors and others

organic industry shows and shares together. At this

face challenges and problems for which they find their

BioFach we will also be celebrating the re-launch of

own solutions. Ecology & Farming aims to continue

Ecology & Farming: Over the last months a number of

to document these innovations in organic agriculture,

organic allies have dedicated their personal time and

developments in markets, and ways of cooperating

made in-kind and financial investments in order to

so as to strengthen the organic movement in different

breathe life back into IFOAM’s flagship publication. We

places. It hopes to inspire professionals all over the

firmly believe that it is a project worth fighting for and

world to pick up on new ideas and to develop their own

are happy to be now able to offer readers this first, now

solutions. We invite you to join us on our journey across

bi-monthly, 2011 edition of Ecology & Farming.

the organic world!

As you look through this magazine, you will find con-

We hope you enjoy reading this first new issue and that

trasting stories from around the globe that cover the

you will be inspired to become a regular subscriber. If

organic food chain from field to fork. The innovative

you have a story that you would like to share with us,

School Garden Project (OSGP) in Ghana sets up orga-

we would be happy to hear from you.

nic school gardens that produce fruits and vegetables

More information about our organic seed programme? Bejo Zaden B.V. • (+31) (0) 226 396 162 • www.bejo.com

www.bejo.com

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

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// DENMARK Denmark is a small country, but it is a big player in the organic world. It has the highest per capita sales of organic products of any country in the world, at €138 per person per year. Sales of organic products in Denmark continued to rise again in 2010, despite the recession. One major reason for this success is the cooperation that exists between the organic sector and the main retailers. According to Henrik Hindborg, Marketing Manager at Organic Denmark, this is because consumers continue to search for quality products that are healthy and take animal and environmental protection aspects into

// ORGANIC TEXTILES Bolstered by continued strong manufacturer demand even during recessionary times, organic cotton continued its steady growth in 2009-2010, according to the fifth annual Organic Farm and Fibre report by the Textile Exchange, the leading global organic cotton and sustainable textiles nonprofit organisation (formerly known as Organic Exchange). According to the report, production of organic cotton rose by 15%, from 209,950 metric tonnes (MT) in 2008-09 to 241,276 MT (just over 1.1 million bales). Organic cotton now represents 1.1 % of global cotton production and organic cotton was being grown on 461,000 hectares in 2009-2010. There has been a veritable explosion in the production of global organic cotton in the last four years (a 539 % increase) since 2005-06, when only 37,000 MT were produced. The organisation anticipates similar strong growth this year. With Tajikistan recently entering the market, organic cotton is now grown by approximately =274,000 farmers in 23 countries in 2009-2010 (up from 22 countries in 2008-09). India remained the top producing nation for 2009-10 for the third year

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account and the retailers recognise this. Highly educated people spend more than 20% of their food budget on organic produce, compared to the national average of 7.6 %. Organic products sell best in large cities like Copenhagen. This strong position is partly related to Denmark’s strong position track record in research into organic agriculture. In September 2010, the Danish Food Industry Agency received 50 applications for its organic research and development programme: the applications exceeded the available funding (€12 million) by a factor of four. The final programme is a

in succession, growing over 80 % of the organic cotton produced globally and increasing its production by 37 % in the past year. Syria moves from third into second place, swapping places with Turkey. The other remaining countries (in descending order) are: China, United States, Tanzania, Uganda, Peru, Egypt, Mali, Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Israel, Benin, Paraguay, Greece, Tajikistan, Senegal, Nicaragua, South Africa, Brazil, and Zambia. According to LaRhea Pepper, Textile Exchange senior director, “Manufacturers, retailers and consumers, and most importantly, farmers, have all signalled their continued interest in supporting organic cotton production and the risks that came with it despite the recession.” She continued: “In addition, the strong growth is an indication of the work Textile Exchange is doing with brands and retailers that have strong strategic plans and engagement all the way to the farm.” Liesl Truscott, Textile Exchange farm engagement director and the lead author of the report, notes that the organic cotton sector cannot rest on its laurels despite the rapid growth. “As organic cotton grows in volume,

combination of projects with a short term focus on integrating product development and longer term goals of knowledge building and dissemination about primary production, processing and marketing. A number of the projects contain elements for commercializing products and have market-oriented initiatives. Others are directed more towards primary production. All the selected projects have a strong focus on practical application through linking research, development and demonstration, and direct involvement of the stakeholders as partners in projects. More about the programme can be found at www.icrofs.org.

we must continue to strengthen integrity in production, certification, and processing”. All 2008-2009 all the stocks of organic cotton were purchased as has most of the current year’s crop. As such, “brands interested in nailing down their supply need to build organic cotton supply security into their planning strategies now, preferably by implementing forward contracts,” stressed Truscott. According to the organisation’s Organic Cotton Market Report 2010, global retail sales of organic cotton and home textile products topped 4.3 billion US$ in 2009. Data from the 2010 market will be available this spring and reported in Ecology and Farming.

// SOLUTIONS FOR SALINIZATION? There is as much brackish water in the world as fresh water, both account for just around 1 % of the total volume of water on earth. There are 1.5 billion ha of saline land which cannot be used for agricultural purposes. And 20% of the 230 million ha of irrigated land in arid and semi-arid areas is affected by increased salt content of the soil and /or water. This salinization is often irreversible. There is increasing competition for fresh water and with a growing world population this is only likely to increase. The challenge is to find ways of using more brackish water in agriculture

and to find solutions for salizination. Salt tolerant crops might have a potential for the production of food, oils and energy. For many years Marc van Rijsselberghe has been working on organically producing salt tolerant crops on the Dutch island of Texel. He produces a range of food crops and wellness products. As an expert in producing and marketing these typical crops, he has just received a grant of € 2.5 million for research on the salt tolerance of crops. The research will be undertaken with experts from several universities. The next issue of Ecology and Farming will carry more about salt tolerant crops.

// GLOBAL SALES OF ORGANIC FOOD AND DRINK RECOVERING The global market for organic food and drink is recovering from the financial crisis. After several years of double-digit growth, the market expanded by just 5 percent in 2009. Healthy growth rates are resuming as the ‘mainstreaming’ of organic products continues. A major driver of market growth in all geographic regions is increasing distribution by mainstream retailers. The European market for organic food and drink was the most affected by the financial crisis. Declining consumer spending power and the rationalisation of organic product ranges by food retailers caused the UK market to contract in 2009. The German market, the largest in Europe, showed no growth. However in some countries - including France, the Netherlands and Sweden - the organic market showed resilience, expanding

by over 15 percent. Healthy growth is continuing in the North American market, which this year has overtaken the European market to become the world’s largest. Supply continues to fall short in many organic product categories, leading to imports from various countries. Latin America has become a major source of organic fruits, vegetables, meats, seeds, nuts and ingredients. The fresh produce category comprises most organic food and drink sales. Fruit and vegetables such as apples, oranges, carrots and potatoes are typical entry points for consumers’ first organic purchases. Their fresh nature appeals to consumers seeking healthy and nutritious foods. Dairy products and beverages are the next most important organic product categories. The 3rd edition of the Global Organic Food and Drink Market Report gives a detailed analysis of the

Exci ting News

market for organic products in each geographic region. Regional reports contain information on market size, revenue forecasts, market drivers and restraints, regulations and standards, category analysis, sales channels breakdown, consumer behaviour, competitive analysis, retailer profiles and business opportunities. The report is a result of almost ten years of continuous research into the global organic food industry. Expert analysis and insights are provided to inform key business decisions and marketing plans. Future growth projections are given in terms of organic food production, market growth rates, and industry developments. Business opportunities in each geographic region are highlighted for the benefit of new entrants and exporters. Source: Organic Monitor: The global market for organic food and drink (December 2010)

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

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Country-reports

The Organic Corporation is the only player in Russia involved in the whole organic cycle: from production to retailing.

The first Russian organic products chain

by Marina Goldinberg

The interiors of the shops are made out of natural materials and decorated in sunny orange colours.

O

ne of the challenges was low awareness among Russians about what organic produce is. Accor-

ding to experts, strong government support in agriculture, public education and training will be required in Russia to foster the development of organic sector. Also a uniform Russian organic standard needs to be established. Currently there is only one project in Russia that is involved in the full cycle of organic production - the Organic Corporation. It was founded in 2006 with the aim of developing the organic market in Russia. The corporation aims at promoting a careful and conscious attitude towards the health of the Earth and its people, to improve people’s physical and spiritual health and the ecological balance. Promoting organics is one of achieving this and encouraging people to share responsibility for the present and future. At present, the Organic Corporation has three main business areas: a distribution company, agricultural production and processing and a network of specialized stores.

Russian lifestyles are becoming less different from European ones. A healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition and environmental concerns are changing from being “fashion trends” into a way of life, at least in the bigger cities. The history of organic production in Russia is being written before our eyes. However, at present, one can hardly call it a triumphal story. The organic entrepreneurs, who have bet on increasing demand for healthy food, have gone through many disappointments.

The Bio-Market stores are currently the only chain in Moscow with a complete range of organic products (more than 3,500 items). Some of the national chain supermarkets do have shelves with organic products, but their range is very limited; often just juices and groceries. This limited selection does not meet demand

bakery with wooden mills, where grain is ground into

and cannot provide a proper balanced diet. People

flour on demand. In addition, the store on the Rublevs-

also need dairy products, fruits and vegetables. From

ky Highway has a pleasant bio-cafeteria, where chefs

the very beginning Bio-Market stores have carried a

cook both traditional Russian dishes (including the

full range of organic products - including food, cosme-

famous beetroot soup, Kiev cutlets, salad, coated her-

tics, domestic items and products for children and the

ring, etc.) and European meals using organic products.

family. One of the objectives was to create a special

The stores are taking on the feel of family clubs, where

atmosphere, emphasizing that “organic” is not just a

people come with their children and friends, to spend

label but a lifestyle. To support this idea, the interiors

half a day in master classes or tasting sessions.

of the shops are made out of natural materials and decorated in sunny orange colours. Environmental

In order to give people the opportunity to not only

friendliness is on display everywhere: for example, the

understand, but also feel, what organic products are

shoppers are offered wicker baskets and cloth-bags.

Bio-Market regularly holds tasting sessions and culinary

Bio-Market sales consultants are conversant with all the

master-classes with chefs, confectioners and chocola-

nuances of organics and eagerly share the secrets of

tiers. Those who wish to try organic make-up can get a

a healthy lifestyle with the shoppers. One of the main

makeover at a beauty shop at the same store.

attractions is a chocolate machine, in the centre of

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the floor space, where chocolatiers make chocolates

Bio-Market stores also stage a variety of thematic

from Belgian organic chocolate with a choice of fillings

events: “Perfect Health Days”, “Children’s events” (with

including praline, marzipan and marmalade. There is a

entertainers), tea ceremonies, and a “Christmas Fair”.

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

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Country-reports

Bio-Market also has a number of nutritionists, ayurve-

line of EtoLeto products is packaged in glass bottles,

basic principles of the Corporation: Health, Environ-

dic doctors, paediatricians and other alternative health

which better preserve the high quality of the product,

ment, Care and Fairness. Before starting work, every

experts who are available for consultations. Bio-Market

are easy to use and are recyclable.

employee must learn about organic standards, the

pays special attention to children: in the cafeteria there

The distribution business of the Organic Corporation,

characteristics of organic production, the product range

is a special menu for children and the store regularly

The use of any hormones is strictly prohibited on the

the Eco-product Trading House, plays an important role

and become familiar with the company’s philosophy.

has puppet shows and parties during which Bio-Market

farm. Any livestock with a disease is kept apart from

in developing the organic market in Russia. Its main

The manufacturers of organic products often organize

staff involve children in making pastries, drawing pictu-

healthy animals, and treated with homeopathic and

objective is to increase the range of organic produce

workshops and master-classes. Regular company

res, doing origami, colouring chocolate bars with edible

other natural remedies whenever possible. To preserve

available in Russia and to make organic products avai-

visits are organised to the Spartak farm, allowing every

paint and making candies. Some buyers trust the store

nutritional quality, the raw materials are processed as

lable for people with an average income. Currently,

employee of the Corporation the opportunity to have

staff so much that they leave their children under the

gently as possible. Chemical refining and deodoriza-

the product range of the Eco-product Trading House

personal contact with organic farming and the livestock

supervision of the animators for hours! In 2011, the

tion, hydrogenation, irradiation, genetically modified

includes more than 1,500 items, covering all commodity

whose milk they sell. The Organic Corporation has

company plans to launch an eponymous internet shop.

ingredients and chemical and synthetic substances are

groups - imported foods, cosmetics, household items

seconded its employees to the organic enterprises in

completely banned.

and the Corporation’s own produce. Since European

Europe and Canada in order to increase their know-

producers are major suppliers of organic products to

ledge and experience.

Swiss colleagues provided a good deal of assistance in

the Russian market, the warehouse of the company is

helping develop the Spartak organic farm. At the begin-

located in Germany, which allows a fast response to

The state of the world’s natural environment and peop-

ning of the transition period to organic farming, a few

changes in demand, and allows the import of goods in

le’s increasing awareness about their health, means that

organic farming specialists from Switzerland were invi-

the required quantities in the shortest possible time. All

interest in organic products will keep growing. Organic

ted to bring their expertise and to work in the company.

the imports of products are carried out in strict compli-

produce is not only relevant to our health, but also

Despite the vast differences with the Western European

ance with Russian laws.

to that of our children. The question at stake is how

farms with which they were familiar, these new col-

quickly and extensively this will occur. Even today we

leagues had no doubts about the potential of Spartak.

One of the most important issues for the Organic Cor-

can already proudly say that the Organic Corporation

And, despite the language barrier, mutual understan-

poration is the question of the involvement of staff at

has made a great contribution to the development of

ding and fruitful cooperation with the farm’s employees

all levels in the common cause and their adherence to

organic market in Russia.

was surprisingly quickly reached. One of the key issues that had to be addressed was However, retailing is not the only activity of the Organic

that of organic certification. In February 2008 in Nur-

Corporation but is the tip of the larger iceberg of the

emberg (Germany) during BioFach, the world’s largest

“full cycle of organic produce”. The Corporation aims

international fair of organic products, the Organic Cor-

to establish the first unique production chain in Russia,

poration reached an agreement on organic certification

running from the seed to the counter. To this end the

with the renowned Swiss company Bio Inspecta. Based

Organic Corporation has its own organic farm (Spartak,

on the agreement, the representatives of Bio Inspecta

located near Moscow) with its own production and

have regularly supervised all the activities taking place

processing facilities and a distribution branch (the Eco-

on Spartak’s premises; inspecting every stage of pro-

product Trading House).

duction - seeds, agricultural land and farming techniques, storage, processing and packaging. The inspec-

The Organic Corporation’s farm began conversion in

tors carefully examine not only fodders and fertilizers,

2006, more or less from scratch. In 2010 the farm was

but any bag or other container that they may find on

certified by the Swiss certifier Bio Inspecta. Pest con-

the farm. At the end of July 2009 an end of conversion

trol is done solely by biological and physical methods.

inspection was carried out and resulted in the issuing of

Much of the work is done manually, so as to not cause

an international certificate of conversion, approving the

harm to the plants and soil. The farm has a number of

organic status of Spartak farm and its dairy and vegeta-

cattle, which are allowed to graze freely in the summer,

ble products.

although because of the weather, the livestock is kept

10

indoors during the winter. The organic standards, in

In the summer of 2010, the first line of Russian organic

terms of the area per head of cattle, are fully observed.

dairy products, sold under the brand name EtoLeto

The cattle are fed with organic roughage and concen-

– milk, yogurt, sour cream and cottage cheese - first

trates, produced on the farm.

appeared on the shelves of Moscow stores. The entire

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Market & economy

Organic and fair-trade: a growing market

Trade finance: a crucial link in the sustainable value chain

comes in. LATCO receives a loan from

Triodos Sustainable Trade Fund is one of the special purpose funds of Triodos Bank, which is one of the world’s leading sustainable banks with a network of offices in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Spain and Germany. The bank has been active in the organic and fair trade sectors for many years, providing effective financial solutions for producers, export organizations, wholesalers and retail companies. Since its founding, in 1980, Triodos Bank has mobilized millions of Euros to support the fair trade and organic industries from ‘crop to shop’. For more information see: www.triodos.com and go to sustainable trade.

the fund with which the farmers can be

company sources, processes and exports sesame seeds from some 1,000 smallholder farmers in the Santa Cruz area. Since sesame is not an indigenous crop, the founders spent a considerable amount of time and money on providing technical to convert to organic production.

Recent and expected future growth rates for the organic and fair trade markets reflect a growing consumer awareness of global trade issues and a wish to consume sustainably, along ethical and environmental lines. In both Europe and the United States market demand for many product categories (e.g. soybeans, sugar and cocoa) is greater than local supply. This leads to ever increasing demand for imports from Latin America, Asia and also Africa. However, not all suppliers and farmers in these regions are able to fully grasp this market opportunity, particular due to a lack of access to (trade) finance. Long-term sustainable trading partnerships

the need for pre-finance arises. Seen from

financial institutions. Triodos Bank has

To tackle these challenges farmers need

this perspective, trade finance is a key

been among the pioneers in this field for

the support of committed buyers. For

instrument for building sustainable trading

many years. In 2008 the bank launched a

such buyers the quality of the product is

partnerships.

special earmarked fund to support value

just as important as the fairness to produ-

In most developing countries, agricultural

chain finance: the Triodos Sustainable

cers, business partners or to the environ-

lending is seen as high risk and is therefo-

Trade Fund.

ment. Buyers in the organic and fair trade

re avoided by the banking system. Where

market are committed to entering into

agricultural lending does exist, it is based

Access to finance

long-term and sustainable trading part-

on an over-reliance on hard collateral:

The demand for this fund and this type

nerships with local sourcing companies

land and buildings. Farmer cooperatives

of finance has been significant from the

that can meet their quality criteria.

often do not have enough assets to cover

start. By the end of 2010, the fund was

The single most important precondi-

their financing needs, especially during

financing more than 30 producers’ orga-

tion for building a partnership is timely

the cash-intensive harvest season. Value

nizations and sourcing companies from

payment to farmers, at the time of the

Chain Finance provides an alternative

Africa, Latin America and Asia. These

harvest. However, farmers’ cooperatives

approach to traditional agricultural len-

companies are involved in the export of

generally lack the necessary cash to

ding. Instead of relying on hard collateral,

various commodities and perishables,

bridge the period between harvesting

it relies on strong and committed value

including coffee, cocoa, sugar, olive oil,

and being paid by their buyers, and thus

chains. Over the past ten years, this type

cotton, nuts and herbs.

do not have the resources to guarantee

of lending has been successfully pionee-

One of the clients in the Triodos Sustaina-

timely payment to farmers. This is where

red by a few national and international

ble Trade Fund’s portfolio is LATCO Inter-

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

About Triodos Bank

in 2003 by Ray and Yoshiko Clavel. The

support to farmers to grow the crop and

By NELLEKE VEENSTRA

12

national from Bolivia. LATCO was founded

Harvest time for sesame runs from March until June. LATCO has to pay the farmers upon delivery of the sesame at the collection points, after which it is transported to LATCO’s processing plant. Here the sesame is sorted, cleaned, hulled and

paid upon delivery. This bridges the gap until payments from overseas customers are received. These payments are then used to repay the loan from the Triodos Sustainable Trade Fund. In this way the loan follows the payment flow of the value chain, and has become a crucial link in establishing a sustainable partnership between LATCO’s customers, who are reputable long term buyers that provide the company, and its farmers, with a long term outlook on income generation. Another important effect of this sustainable value chain is that it enables LATCO to improve overall quality standards,which

packed. Throughout the rest of the year LATCO ships the processed sesame to its

money at the moment that they bring in

further strengthens the relationship with

customers in Japan, Europe and the USA.

the harvest. They cannot afford to wait

the overseas customers, and results in a

LATCO does not receive payment for its

for months while it is processed, stored

higher price for the product. Together with

exported goods until final delivery has

and shipped. If they had to do this they

the organic premium this contributes to

been made.

would sell the sesame to local middlemen

an overall higher income for the farmer.

for a lower price in order to obtain much However, the success of this value chain

needed cash.

http://www.triodos.com/en/about-triodos-

depends on the farmers, for whom

This is where the value chain finance faci-

bank/what-we-do/our-expertise-overview/

sesame is their cash crop, receiving their

lity from Triodos Sustainable Trade Fund

sustainable-trade/

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

13


education

By inge vos

Organic school gardens in Ghana The Ghana Organic Agriculture Network (GOAN) is implementing the Organic School Garden Project (OSGP) in Ghana, together with Agro Eco - Louis Bolk Institute. The project is funded by Oxfam Novib.

T

he OSGP has developed organic gardens in 24 schools in Ghana over the past three years. The

gardens produce vegetables and fruits that are used in the pupils’ meals. The organic gardens are also being used as demonstration fields for Farmers Field Schools (FFS), to train local farmers in organic farming practices. The Organic School Garden Project  started in 2008 with 10 schools in 7 different districts. Each school has a 1-acre organic garden. The gardens produce organic vegetables and fruits for the pupils’ meals, providing them with healthy, safe and nutritious food (no pesticides or residues) which is also environmentally friendly. Crops grown in the gardens include leafy vegetables, cabbage, tomato, pepper, onion, aubergines, okra, carrots, water melon, citrus and pineapple. The Government of Ghana established the national Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) a ten year programme established in 2006. Its aim is to provide balanced meals to school pupils at primary schools, but it has done little to stimulate the local production of ingredients required to prepare the meals. The OSGP complements the GFSP by stimulating the production side. It was set up after extensive consultation with the Director of Finance and Administration of the GFSP, who provided input into the design of the project. Each one acre organic school garden also serves as a demonstration farm for training adult farmers using the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach. Each FFS has trained around forty farmers, with another forty farmers attending open days and going on exchange visits). In total, the OSGP has trained 1920 farmers in 24 different communities within 3 years. The OSGP financially supports the schools  in developing their organic gardens, especially during the first year of operation, when garden tools need to be acquired. When the school garden is well established it can operate independently, providing organic vegetables and fruits to the school pupils.

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ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

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Ifoam issues

Just prior to the main conference, from

IFOAM Associates and Supporters are

the 26th to the 28th of September 2011,

welcome to participate in the G.A.. Associ-

there will be various thematic pre-confe-

ates may ask for the floor and speak to the

rences in different locations around South

G.A., although they do not have the right

Korea. These conferences will focus on

to vote.

aquaculture, cosmetics, ginseng, tea, textiles, urban agriculture and wine.

Still at the G.A., a new IFOAM World Board

Special funds have been set aside to faci-

will be elected; 10 positions are open to be

litate participation from developing coun-

filled. Election to the World Board means a

tries to the Organic World Congress. The

challenging opportunity to work to further

level of sponsorship offered can in­clude

develop the worldwide organic movement.

conference registration, accommodation

The World Board decides on all issues

and/or travel, will depend on the candida-

not yet determined by, and reports to, the

te’s in-kind contribution to the conference.

General Assembly. World Board members raise funds for IFOAM; they contibute to

The 17th IFOAM Organic World Congress, the place to be in September!

The organic movement meets in South Korea The 17th IFOAM Organic World Congress, the first in Asia, will be held in the Paldang Region, Gyeonggi Province of the Republic of Korea, from the 28th of September to the 1st of October 2011. The Organic World Congress (OWC) is the space where the organic movement comes to meet, exchange experiences and develop ideas and strategies for the development of organic agriculture worldwide.

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

provide strategic input to the development

the Namyangju film studios, located in

of IFOAM; they use personal and profes-

a beautiful green area in Namyangju

sional skills, relationships, and knowledge

City, from the 3rd to the 5th of October

for the advancement of IFOAM; and they

2011. The General Assembly convenes

represent IFOAM at global events.

in conjunction with the IFOAM Organic

All activities for the IFOAM World Board

World Congress (OWC). The IFOAM G.A.

are voluntary, with no reimbursement for

is the democratic decision-making forum

contribution of time, unless otherwise

of the international organic movement,

specified by World Board decisions. When

where IFOAM’s World Board is elected

necessary, travel and accommodation

for a three-year term. The G.A. provides

costs will be borne by IFOAM. Women,

strategic guidance to the World Board,

farmer representatives and people from the

he theme of the conference, “Orga-

which appoints official committees,

global South are especially encouraged

nic is Life”, reiterates the philo-

working groups and task forces based

to consider presenting their candidacies.

sophy of organic farmers that emphasizes

on the motions and recommendations

Candidates will be presented in IFOAM’s

respect for all living things. The Organic

of IFOAM’s membership. IFOAM G.A.s

Newsletter ‘In Action’ 60 days before the

World Congress (OWC) consists of a main

are very dynamic and lively gatherings,

G.A. and to the General Assembly in South

conference with a systems values track

inspiring the members, board and staff to

Korea.

and a research track, covering a wide

work towards achieving IFOAM’s mission

range of topics. The programme is orga-

of leading, uniting and assisting the orga-

For information on OWC sponsorship of

nized in partnership with the International

nic movement in its full diversity. IFOAM

participants from developing countries,

Society of Organic Agriculture Research

members are invited to participate in the

please contact sponsor@kowc2011.org.

(ISOFAR). Besides the system values and

G.A. by: submitting motions about strategic matters in writing before the G.A.; proposing and convincing candida­ tes to run for the World Board; preparing and submitting a bid for hosting the 2014 OWC and G.A.; contributing to the participative processes at the G.A., i.e. motion bazaar, strategic consultations; voting at the G.A. (motions, World Board, bids).

For more information on how to submit

T

research tracks, the congress will also feature artistic presentations and joint sessions incorporating presentations from practitioners and researchers on topics of common interest as well as well as open spaces to facilitate creative dialogue, final programme for IFOAM’s Organic World Congress 2011 will be announced in June 2011.

16

the World Board’s decision-making; they

General Assemply (G.A.) will take place

once every three years and takes place

inspire and initiate concrete action. The

Denise Godinho

Following the OWC, the 2011 IFOAM

a motion to the G.A. (IFOAM members), apply for a World Board position (members and non-members), or submit a bid to host and organize the IFOAM Organic World Congress and General Assembly in 2014 (IFOAM members), please contact Thomas Cierpka: t.cierpka@ifoam.org For additional information and deadlines go to: www.ifoam.org/kowc2011

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

17


food security

By Markus Arbenz

BioFach special theme: Food security

Yes, organic can feed the world! But how?

“We need a paradigm shift - a new strategy based on ecosystem intensification for increasing the resilience of farms and using biodiversity wisely.”

So far, the world has managed to meet the challenge of food productivity. Today, there is a 25% global oversupply of food - measured in terms of the calorific production (after post harvest losses) needed to feed the world’s population. The challenge is ensuring that hungry people have access to this food. The strategy of ecologicalintensification, using organic principles and practices is a new paradigm for feeding the world while at the same time empowering the poor and mitigating against climate change and biodiversity loss.

People before commodities: The IFOAM Food Security Campaign Agriculture is back on the agenda of international decision makers. Through targeted activities during the World Food Day and related summits and conferences, IFOAM has been bringing the message of ‘Sustainability through Organic Agriculture’ to the heart of the debate. IFOAM’s message is that Organic Agriculture is not merely a certification standard but a strategic option that can greatly contribute to improving security. IFOAM continues to carry this message to decision makers in the public or private sectors, at local, national or international levels.

W

hy is it that we have enough food to feed the world’s current popula-

tion (and an extra 1.5 billion people) but that world poverty and hunger is increasing and is predicted to continue to do so? Despite sufficient global food produc-

Talking about organic food and food production at BioFach...

tion, there are one billion hungry or starving people in the world, most of them living in rural areas. It is expected that the world will produce 70% more food by

how deprived people will get access to healthy food and it neglects the key challenges of equipping the poor with access to resources, appropriate farming systems and personal skills. This is a extension of the type of thinking that created the problem in the first place and is incapable of ensuring that all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to enough safe and nutritious food to meet

hunger, climate change, the loss of gene-

Sadly, the recently revived debate on

their dietary needs and food preferences

tic diversity, ecocide and land grabbing

agriculture and food security has been

enabling them to live active and healthy lives.

are some of the consequences of this - to

largely characterized by a renaissance of

tion (FAO) of the United Nations estimates

The main causes of hunger are poverty

land by international investments, land-

which the world has to find effective ans-

productivity-oriented strategies. Some of

that 80% of this will need to come from

and a lack of livelihood opportunities.

grabbing and bad governance. While

wers. The IAASTD report clearly stated

these rely on techno-scientific and large-

Is ‘Organic’ just a certification standard

productivity increases and only 20% from

Conventional, green revolution-based

globalization has opened up opportunities

that ‘Business as usual is not option any

scale agribusiness options which involve

for rich people?

bringing new land into production. Both

or industrial agriculture currently fails to

for many, it has also amplified the chal-

more’. Addressing the global food securi-

substantial economies of scale, but which

It is widely acknowledged that organic

strategies will have effects in terms of

feed 15% of the world’s population - so

lenges facing humanity. More than ever,

ty challenge is not a question of doing the

are neither ecologically and socially

agriculture has brought tremendous

loss of biodiversity, degeneration of soils,

it’s clear that focusing solely on produc-

our planet and its poorest inhabitants

same things more effectively, but about

sustainable, nor efficient in land use. The

benefits many of those involved in it. It

water demand and, of course, climate

tion does not solve global hunger. Often,

are suffering the consequences of poorly

developing an appropriate and equitable

proposed ‘second green revolution’ does

currently achieves sales of over 50 billion

change.

smallholder farmers are pushed off their

thought through strategies. Poverty and

strategy.

not provide any convincing answers as to

US$ annually, which benefit millions of

2050. The Food and Agriculture Organiza-

18

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

19


food security

BioFach 2011

of nutrient cycling, stimulating soil biology

soils or limited water resources the yields

through composting, crop rotation, mixed

from organic production are often much

cropping or agro-forestry. These practices

greater. Thus organic production helps

enhance the health, vitality and producti-

improve productivity in the areas where it

vity of farm ecosystems. Higher levels of

is most needed.

organic matter in the soil enhance water

There is huge potential to significantly

retention and build robust soils that are

increase agricultural productivity and

resilient to erosion. Avoidance of toxic

biodiversity by harnessing, developing

pesticides and the utilization of diverse

and intensifying biological soil activities.

species enhance (rather than inhibit)

Eco-intensification generally also involves

nature’s constant drive for balance, the-

more labour and better knowledge, thus

reby enabling the ecosystem to regulate

contributing to more opportunities for

pests and diseases naturally. The farming

landless poor people and improving the

system is managed through applying

‘quality of work’.

ecological knowledge and practices that stimulate and beneficially intensify the

If the world is to nourish its people on

systems’ ecological functions.

the principles of eco-intensification, we need to learn much more about natural

people along the value chain (not least

expressed the thoughts of many experts:

Eco-intensification often draws on the

processes in order optimize diversified,

small scale producers and consumers).

that organic production is good for cre-

knowledge and practices of the world’s

locally adapted food production systems.

Eco-intensfication as a reality.

Yet there is still a widespread misconcep-

ating added value for those who can tap

traditional farming systems that have nou-

This could not be achieved overnight but

Ethiopia and Egypt are two countries that

tion that organic agriculture cannot feed

into the right market niches. But its broa-

rished communities for hundreds, or even

would involve a slow transition of lear-

are already adopting strategic elements

the world. In 2009, at a high-level expert

der applicability has not been appreciated

thousands, of years. The key to success

ning and undoing the negative impacts

advocated by the organic movement. In

forum on how to feed the world in 2050,

and as a consequence, organic agriculture

of unsustainable

both countries, land has been regenera-

Jacques Diouf, FAO Director General sta-

has rarely managed to be part of a broad-

farming of past

ted with organic agriculture and people-

ted : While organic agriculture contributes

based vision for international organizati-

decades. Howe-

centred approaches. This has resulted in

to hunger and poverty reduction and

ons, governments or donor agencies. This

ver, if humanity

thousands of people finding confidence

should be promoted, it cannot by itself

is despite the impressive impacts that

invests resources

in their farming abilities and being better

feed the rapidly growing population. He

organic agriculture has had in recent years

and effort in lear-

able to feed their families. The Ethiopian

ning to better use

government has recently put organic

the potential pro-

practices at the heart of its national agri-

vided by nature,

culture development policies and Egypt

the existing land

has been dramatically reduced pesticide

and water and

use after consultation with local organic

human resources

farmers.

on the livelihoods of rural people, often in highly marginalized and fragile environ-

20

Spearheading the New Green Economy

ments. The organic movement needs to

Organic operators are potential key players in the New Green Economy that has been envisaged by UNEP. A fast-growing community of organic consumers (the annual value of organic retail sales worldwide is US$ 50 Billion) are looking for agriculture products that are not just healthy and tasty, but also contribute to environmental sustainability and the food security of the families and communities that grow the produce. Organic standards and verification systems assure fair prices and support the resilience of organic producers to both climatic and economic shocks. Through ethical investment and consumption choices the entire value chain is contributing to enhanced food security and promoting products that have a smaller ecological footprint and improve the livelihoods of the producers.

improving livelihoods.

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

make policy makers more aware of the potential of organic farming as a viable and proven strategy for developing and

“The reality is that conventional, green revolution-based or industrial agriculture fails to feed 15% of the world’s population - so it’s clear that focusing solely on production does not solve global hunger.”

will be able to

The need for a paradigm shift - a new

provide more than

Supporting small-scale farmers across the

enough food to

world strengthens the livelihoods of the

strategy based on affordable production

is to consciously work with, rather than

meet the requirements of an expanding

poor and increases their access to food.

systems for the poor - is obvious. The

against, nature and to support ecosy-

human population. We are confident that

To make this a reality, the right policies

answer to the question, how can orga-

stem services. In places where intensive

organic agriculture can provide abundant

are needed at international, national and

nic agriculture meet the growing global

agriculture is practised most farmers who

food to feed a growing world population.

local levels, policies that require corpo-

demand for food can be summarized in

convert to organic production achieve

The main bottleneck to such a vision

rate social responsibility and support the

one word: eco-intensification.

yields that are close to those of conven-

becoming a reality is not the limitations

capacity of the poor, through relevant

Eco-intensification has several aspects. It

tional farms, within a few years of con-

of natural resources but a lack of political

research and advisory services in ecologi-

involves intensifying the natural process

version. In marginal areas with depleted

willingness and imagination.

cal intensification.

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

21


Market & economy

Project scale has a large influence on the cost price

Your Partner In Organic Potatoes, Vegetables and Fruits Im- & export of fresh and industrial organic potatoes,

The economics of coffee

By PETER BRUL

I

n 2010 more than 7 million tonnes of coffee were produced, by millions of farmers. Small scale farmers (with less than 10

hectares) cultivate approximately 9 million hectares of coffee, while large scale farmers cultivate approximately 3 million hectares. Despite this 75% of the world’s coffee is produced by

Costs per ton in small and large scale organic coffee projects (in US$)

Annual coffee production: Certification Management Total

50 tons/year 160 240 520

200 tons/year 40 60 130

large scale farmers on plantations. costs related to the system. One can distinguish between fixed costs, that do not depend on the yield per hectare or per farm

vegetables and fruits. Custom designed and reliable services

and variable costs, that are more related to the yield. The fixed costs of an organic coffee project involve those for

for sourcing and marketing your organic products.

field officers, certification, extra management, and extra processing costs, the variable costs relate to buying and storage. In smaller projects a large part of the organic premium need to go to cover the extra costs of certification scheme only a smaller amount goes to provide extra income to the farmers. Producer Countries

Organic coffee accounts for  around 0.5 % of the world market, and a large part of this produced by smallholders, rather than large scale farmers. The world’s supply of organic coffee in 2010 was estimated at more than 200,00 tons of green coffee (up from 100,000 in 2007). More than 50% of this comes from Latin America. There are more than 300,000 organic coffee producers in more than 20 countries. Global demand has been estimated at 70,000 tons of green coffee in 2007 and more than

The America’s Asia and Oceania

Africa

• Brazil • Colombia • Peru • Costa Rica • Mexico • USA

• Ethiopia: washed and natural arabica • Kenya: washed arabica • Madagascar: robusta • Tanzania: robusta, natural and washed arabica • Uganda: robusta, natural and washed arabica

• East Timor • India • Indonesia • Papua New Guinea • Sri Lanka • Thailand • Vietnam • China • Australia

150,000 in 2010, the lion’s share being in the USA and Europe. Organic (and fair trade) coffee production started in Chiapas,

The Netherlands

Hall 7/7-625

Mexico in the early 1980s. Most of the producers in Mexico

A 20% premium for organic coffee  is considered normal, but

and the other 25 organic coffee producing countries are small-

this can increase or decrease in relation to supply and demand.

holders, often working in cooperative structures. The niche

The premium often increases as a percentage when coffee pri-

markets of organic, fair trade and other sustainable labels, such

ces are low (30 to 40%) and decreases with high prices. The

as ‘Rainforest Alliance’ provide a way for them to survive. The

current organic premium for Arabica is about US$ 330 per ton

cooperatives get a premium price, but there are also additional

and for Robusta it is about US$ 250 per ton.

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

23


Innovation in agriculture

In early October Mike Nicholls visited the Netherlands to attend the first ISHS Symposium on Organic Greenhouse Horticulture at the University of Wageningen Greenhouse Research Centre at Bleiswijk. At this symposium it became clear that there is a huge difference in the definition of organic, which varies greatly from country to country. In fact the only common factor appeared to be that the inputs used in climate controllable greenhouses or tunnels must be derived solely from natural, non-chemical, sources.

F Harvesting at BiJo.

or example, in Scandinavia, it is

production for organic production. This

accepted that, provided the roots

sector faces the major constraint that

are still attached, plants can be grown in

peat—a major constituent of substrates

an organically derived nutrient solution

is a non-renewable resource, and that

and sold as organic. In the USA there are

peat bog exploitation is not sustainable

now two aquaponic operations certified

in the long term. Valérie Gravel (Canada)

as organic by the USDA. In the rest of

explored the complex nutrient manage-

Europe it is a requirement that all organic crops are grown in the soil. The situation becomes even more complex when one

The conference delegates visited the University of Wageningen Research greenhouses at Bleiswijk.

examines the way in which these crops

The first ISHS Symposium on Organic Greenhouse Horticulture

Organic greenhouse horticulture symposium

ment of organic systems, presenting a case study of six organic soils that use a re-circulating system, with certified organic nutrients. Wim Voogt (Netherlands)

are grown. In the Netherlands many

organic greenhouses within Europe does

demonstrated the difficulties of providing

greenhouse organic crops are produced

not clarify matters, apart from a ban on

greenhouse crops with sufficient nutrients

in a very similar manner to conventional

hydroponics, the EC regulation contains

within a soil based non-recirculating

greenhouse crops in terms of heating and

no specific rules for greenhouses. There

system while also complying with the

carbon dioxide inputs, whereas in Austria

are also considerable differences between

European Directives relating to annual

and Italy supplementary heating can only

EU countries on the use of energy and

N and P application levels. I presented

used to avoid crop damage from frost.

also on the use of substrates. The lack of

my paper on organic hydroponics, which

Finally in some situations it is permissible

a level playing field is felt by many produ-

essentially flies directly in the face of con-

to sterilise the soil with steam in order

cers to lead to unfair competition.

ventional organic growing.

This appears to be in direct opposition

Highlights of current research

Soil health is a key factor in ensuring crop

to the concept of developing a healthy

The meeting commenced with an over-

productivity,  and greenhouse production

soil, as steam leaves a virtual biological

view from Rob Meijer of the issues

has its own distinct problems. Unlike field

vacuum which can be invaded by any

facing and current research into, organic

production, the opportunities for crop rota-

organism. This is not to suggest that the

greenhouse horticulture world-wide. This

tion are minimal, so alternative methods

general standard of organically grown

proved to be a near impossible task,

of controlling pathogens are needed. Soil

crops is poor—nothing is further from

but it provided a start in filling in some

suppressiveness is one possible means of

the case, but to emphasise the lack of

previously blank boxes. It showed that

reducing the activity of pathogens. André

a clear-cut policy on how organic crops

in Switzerland and Austria up to 14% of

van der Wurff (Netherlands) demonstrated

can or can not be grown. It also raises

greenhouse production area was organic,

that suppressiveness was pathogen-

the question of who should have the

but in most countries with significant

dependant, at least for the fungi Verticil-

authority to make the decisions on what

greenhouse industries (e.g. the Nether-

lium and Pythium and for the nematode

to control weeds, nematodes or fungi.

By MIKE NICHOLS

constitutes an organically grown crop. To date this has been the organic movement, often (later) backed up by minimum legal standards but it is debatable whether

Retail pack of ‘Wild Wonder’ tomatoes.

they (with their vested interests) are the appropriate group to determine the future

‘There are large differences between EU countries over what is permitted in organic glasshouses’

direction of greenhouse organics. The Dutch experiences show the difficulties of using a soil based system is very clear, but the current regulations there prevent Nico Vergote at Kruishouten with organic greenhouse tomatoes.

24

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

exploring the obvious possible advanta-

lands) only 2-3% was organic.

Meloidogyne. Another possible solution

ges of using a recirculating hydroponic

Fabio Tittarelli (Italy) provided an insight

for greenhouse crops is to use the “Köver”

system. The regulatory framework for

into the outlook for vegetable nursery

system. This was described by Willemijn

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

25


Innovation in agriculture

‘Maintaining nutrient levels, deterring pests and diseases and minimising energy use are three of the challenges facing organic glasshouse production’.

Fresh lettuce ready to be cut at BiJo.

A “Wild Wonder” tomato variety.

Cuijpers from the Louis Bolk Institute (Net-

(in mid-winter) high nitrate levels in the

soil. While it is relatively easy to reach

developments have got it wrong, but sim-

herlands). The “Köver” system involves

soil became a problem. Valérie Gravel

Above-ground pathogens can also be a

self sufficiency in terms of soil fertility, the

ply because the philosophy that states

dividing each bed in the greenhouse into

(Canada) presented a paper on organic

problem in organic systems, and Michael

energy required for greenhouse heating

that the crops MUST be grown in the soil

half with a physical barrier, and leaving

greenhouse tomato production using rai-

Raviv (Israel) demonstrated how the risk

requires a much larger quantity of bio-

raises too many problems.

half the bed fallow (or planted with an

sed bed containers filled with either peat

of bacterial canker on tomatoes (a major

mass. Reductions in energy use for both

Many of the recent developments in

antagonistic crop), and then annually

or coir (coco peat). This presentation was

problem in some countries) can be greatly

heating and cooling can be achieved by

greenhouse productivity have come from

alternating the part of the bed planted with

followed by one from her colleague, Mar-

reduced by the correct composting of

using heat pumps and a deep aquifer.

improving the plant environment and

the main crop. In general the system was

tine Dorais, who demonstrated increased

contaminated plant debris from infected

Nico Vergote (Belgium) described the

the root zone environment. Improving

found to be impracticable, because yields

yields by using oxygen enriched irrigation

plants. Martin Koller (Switzerland) then

heat pump system used at Kruishoutem,

of the crop plants fell, due to competition

water to increase the soil oxygen content.

explained that although sulphur was an

Belgium, which relies on very deep (100m)

excellent fungicide for controlling pow-

drill holes for heat storage.

with the antagonistic plants. There is also

aeration has been a major factor. It is Conference delegates visiting the organic tomatoes at BiJo. Note glasshouse heating/ cooling system.

extremely difficult (if not impossible) to grow a heavy crop of greenhouse toma-

considerable interest in the biological

A key factor for the future successful pro-

dery mildew, it has harmful effects on

toes (or other fruit vegetables) in the soil

disinfection of the soil with grass and

duction of organic greenhouse tomatoes

beneficial organisms, and that potassium

The symposium involved visits  to organic

other fresh organic materials that can sup-

will be the grafting of the scion (variety)

bicarbonate is a potential substitute. He

greenhouse crop producers, including

ferred via heat pumps into a deep aqui-

profile into the water table. There is still

press persistent diseases and pests. This

onto the appropriate rootstock. To date

also posed the question of how best to

Frank de Koning’s property which totals

fer. Similarly, surplus heat from the fruit

one major pest which has proved difficult

approach involves covering the soil with

the development of tomato rootstocks

control sciarids (fungus gnats) in pot-

7ha of greenhouses, were converted into

vegetable greenhouses is transferred into

to control even by grafting onto resistant

fresh organic matter and then with airtight

has been a fairly ad hoc procedure, but

ted herbs. He concluded that neem oil

organic production in 1999. His main

the aquifer. During the winter months this

root stock, and that is nematodes. Using

plastic. The resulting anaerobic conditions

Jan Venema (University of Groningen,

and BT were unsatisfactory, and that the

focus is on peppers and tomatoes, with

energy is used to provide the heat needed

steam to sterilize the soil against patho-

offer an alternative to steam sterilisation,

Netherlands) described a Dutch program-

nematode (Steinernema feltiae) was the

a specific specialisation in “heirloom”

to grow the fruit vegetables and, if neces-

gens (or weeds) appears to go against

but the time lag between treatment and

me aimed at delivering a reliable scree-

best solution.

tomatoes, which he markets as “Wild

sary, to prevent frost damage to the cut

all the tenets of organic production of a

the next time the bed can be used is a

ning method to identify biomarkers that

Wonders” in very neat retail packs. His

fresh crops. It is a very efficient set up.

healthy soil filled with a range of micro-

major barrier. Steaming remains the most

can be used as generic tools to identify

Meeting the challenge of climate change.

latest innovation is a greenhouse clad in

Large pipes can be raised to the top of

organisms. Similarly the use of biological

effective, and preferred treatment, but is

the best rootstocks. It must be remem-

There is considerable interest in the

haze glass to provide diffuse light. This

the crop to absorb the heat from solar

fumigants under plastic covers does not

expensive both in labour and in energy.

bered that the grafting of vegetables onto

efficient use of energy in order to make

system, based on work from the Universi-

radiation, and can be lowered to close to

appear appropriate.

rootstocks is a fairly recent development,

greenhouse cropping more sustainable.

ty of Wageningen, should produce a 10%

ground level when the crop requires hea-

The next session involved comparing

and there could well be interesting inter-

The carbon dioxide footprint is a major

increase in yield.

ting. Otherwise the crops were grown in

Having said that, there is no doubt that

different growing systems for organic

actions between specific rootstocks and

consideration in greenhouse horticul-

exactly the same way as any other normal

the organic movement has had a major

glasshouse production. Wolfgang Palme

scions, similar to those that exist in fruit

ture and global organic standards do

BiJo Greenhouses is a most impressive

organic greenhouse crop.

impact on conventional growing, by redu-

(Austria) examined an initiative (near

trees. Grafting is being developed to

not address such sector-specific issues.

10.5 ha of hi-tech greenhouses that orga-

Vienna) for producing a range of Bras-

overcome a range of problems, including

Many large greenhouse operations now

nically produce a wide range of cut fresh

An over-strict regulatory regime?

cultural chemicals and shifting thinking

sicas (Pak Choi, Mustard, and Tatsoi) in

improving nutrient use efficiency, sub-

use Combined Heat and Power (CHP),

salads (8ha), along with tomatoes and

I am cynical about the realities of pro-

towards biological control.

plastic houses without any heating. This

optimal temperatures and salinity, but one

and sell superfluous electricity into the

cucumbers in an environmentally friendly

ducing organic crops in greenhouses as

approach seemed to offer some potential

of the major problems with organic green-

grid. Another possible solution is to use

and energy efficient manner. All of the

effectively and efficiently as conventional

The Proceedings of the symposium will

for the production of low energy organic

house production of fruiting vegetables

organic matter to produce biogas for

cut fresh salad crops are grown at “low”

crops. This is not to suggest that the

be published as an Acta Horticulturae by

crops. However when growth was poor

is nematodes—particularly the Root Knot

cogeneration, before applying it to the

temperatures, and surplus heat is trans-

growers (and scientists) involved in such

ISHS (www.ishs.org) in the near future.

without nutrients leaching through the soil

cing (or even eliminating) the use of agri-

Nematode (RKN) or Meloidogne spp. 26

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

27


Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus Republics

education

N

owadays some positive changes are

course also provides information about

possibilities in Germany.

becoming visible. The first organic

agriculture, organic farming and living con-

In the final seminar the trainees reflect

ditions in Germany.

on their experiences, enjoy a party and

associations in the former USSR cooperate closely with partners in the Western

The majority of the population in the states of the former USSR struggle with difficult living conditions. Low salaries and high unemployment rates are some of the reasons that many people don´t pay attention to environmental issues. However, environmental problems do exist; in the form of radioactive contami­ nated regions, degraded soils, air pollution or inefficient waste water management.

Education in organic agriculture by HARTWIG MENNEN

28

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

receive a certificate, detailing their results

world. They are seeking to acquire theo-

More than 250 students take part every

in oral and written tests during the semi-

retical and practical information about the

year in six to twelve month long intern-

nars. Many of the students value this

basics of organic farming, in order to esta-

ships in the organic sector. LOGO res-

experience of working outside their own

blish their own production. The German

pects the interests and capabilities of

country. LOGO also encourages speci-

non-profit organisation LOGO is playing a

the students and the requirements of

alists from Western countries to go on

key role in building these bridges.

the farms. The internships are mostly on

internships and work on organic farms in

organic farms and can involve beekee-

partner countries.

LOGO was founded in 1995  by German

ping, growing wine fruit or vegetables,

farmers and agricultural engineers. The

grass land management, cattle farming,

Companies in the Western European orga-

association supports organic agriculture,

dairy, milk processing, and pig husbandry.

nic sector have become active in Eastern

through providing professional and general

Students with a high level of linguistic pro-

Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus

education and seeks to promote better

ficiency and previous foreign experience

Republics. These companies are often

international cooperation and understan-

can get a traineeship in areas such as the

looking for local employees with foreign

ding. LOGO works with partners in Ger-

food trade, food processing or agricultural

experiences. LOGO has organized two

many, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and

engineering. More than 90% of the trai-

international conferences on “Education,

the Caucasus Republics. The association

nees are accommodated in the houses of

innovation and ecology” in partnership with

currently has around 210 members and its

the guest families and eat with the family.

the agricultural universities in Samarkand

activities are supported by organic farmers,

This close contact with members of the

(Uzbekistan) and in Ufa (Russia). It has

agrarian organisations, universities and for-

family and with German employees helps

become obvious that interest in organic

mer interns. The main activities are setting

the interns develop their German language

agriculture is growing in these countries. In

up internships on organic farms, translating

skills. The trainees spend much of their

the future more young agrarian specialists

technical literature, arranging international

leisure time with the guest families and

will find work in the organic sector.

conferences and supporting organic farms

often develop long-standing friendships

in partner countries. The work of LOGO

with them.

Organic agriculture  is more developed in Georgia than in other former USSR coun-

is mainly financed by organic farmers, working with trainees. Some projects are

During the interships  LOGO offers a num-

tries. LOGO is supporting an organic farm

financally supported by government mini-

ber of seminars, which are also attended

in Telavi that is planning to process milk to

stries, companies and the German Acade-

by former trainees who act as caretakers

make yoghurt and hard cheese. Produc-

mic Exchange Service (DAAD).

and interpreters.

tion will start in early 2011. Seminars for

When the new trainees first arrive in Ger-

young farmers are currently being planned

Cooperation with international partners.

many they attend an introductory seminar

with two Georgian associations (SEMA

LOGO has organized internships in orga-

to orientate them. They also receive a

and RCDA).

nic enterprises for agricultural students

number of documents, including an agri-

There is very little literature about organic

from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Geor-

cultural dictionary, report books and basic

agriculture available in the Russian or

gia, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, Moldavia, Rus-

background information about German

Uzbek languages. With the help of former

sia, Tajikistan, the Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

agriculture.

trainees LOGO has translated a number of

More than 2,700 students from approxi-

Logo also provides a seminar to introduce

books such as “The Handbook of Direct

mately 60 universities have already parti-

trainees to organic agriculture, where the

Marketing” and “Organic Vegetable Gro-

cipated. Twice a year German farmers and

trainees learn about the sector through

wing” into Russian in order to help farmers

former trainees visit partner universities

a series of lectures and excursions. The

with their practical work. They are availa-

to select students, who undergo written

main subjects concern organic farming,

ble in Mitchurinsk / Russia and from the

tests and interviews to test their German

renewable resources and renewable ener-

headquarters of LOGO.

language skills and general knowledge.

gy. Some lectures are given by members

The internships on organic farms will

They also have to show some agricultural

of organic associations and by farmers.

remain LOGO’s main task. But further con-

knowledge and be able to drive a tractor.

Another seminar on “professional qualifi-

ferences, book translations and other acti-

LOGO helps students to prepare for the

cation in international cooperation” pro-

vities with organic farmers in the partner

language test by providing a language

vides information about work possibilities

countries will follow.

course (available at www.logoev.de). This

with international companies and study

www.logoev.de

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

29


Agro-biodiversity

The national French agronomic research institute (INRA), and the technical institute for organic agriculture (ITAB) organized a conference in Paris in December 2010, on behalf of the Organic and Low-input Agriculture Section of the European Association of Plant Breeding Researchers (Eucarpia). Some 130 people from 20 countries participated, including private, public and farmer breeders and breeding researchers. The topic was a new and challenging one for plant breeding: ‘Breeding for resilience: a strategy for organic and low-input farming systems?’

Crop breeding to strengthen the resilience of organic farming systems

Breeding organic seed By Edith T. Lammerts van Bueren, Isabelle Goldringer and Frédéric Rey

T

he organizers also invited some ecologists to dis-

ming system. In light of the definitions for resilience, a

cuss the basic principles of resilience, an impor-

robust cultivar can be defined as one that has the abi-

tant concept within the ecology of complex ecosy-

lity to continue to produce under conditions of stress.

stems. The aims of the conference were to find ways

It is able to recover from a period of stress without

to translate this concept into plant breeding for orga-

losing too much yield and/or quality. Plant breeders

nic and low external input agriculture and to find out

already have experience and familiarity with ‘robust’,

what lessons plant breeders can learn from ecologists.

‘reliable’ or ‘flexible’ cultivars. Some cultivars that have proven to be very stable in their yield have been on

Ecologists define resilience  as the ability of a system

the market for a very long time. But, in most cases,

or organism to continue to function under conditions

such cultivars have been just lucky chances, since

of stress. This can be measured by the capacity of

breeders have not purposely bred for robustness.

a system or organism to recover after a disturbance,

However, with global climate change there is an incre-

and the speed with which it can return to equilibrium.

asing demand for plant breeders to explore ways of

This concept is closely related to ‘robustness’ a basic

contributing to resilient farming systems by developing

property of a biological system, which describes the

robust cultivars.

system’s ability to maintain its functionality against external and internal disturbances.

One of the corner stones of organic agriculture  is incorporating biodiversity within management strate-

A caption of approximately fourteen words or at least three line is required here

Organic and low external input agriculture avoid using

gies. In plant breeding too, diversity can be a tool to

high levels of nitrogen or water. As such there is often

improve the adaptability of cultivars to changing and

more variability in growing conditions (both within and

unfavourable growing conditions.

between fields) than in intensive systems. As a result organic and low external input agriculture need to

One option for breeders  is to collaborate with farmers

adapt more sophisticated ways of managing the far-

who know their local field conditions and are capa-

ming system. These can include encouraging biodiver-

ble of selecting the most appropriate plants for their

sity instead of suppressing it – which in turn stimulates

needs. Such a decentralised approach will increase

a higher level of self regulation and resilience.

the diversity of cultivars, as different cultivars flourish under different conditions and populations have

30

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

For organic and low-input farmers, who have limited

different preferences. Such practices have already

means of controlling their environment, yield stability

been adopted in the South (e.g. in the Philippines

is often a more important cultivar trait than maximum

and China) and is now also being applied in Northern

potential yield. Such farmers prefer ‘robust’ or ‘reliable’

countries, such as France (cereals, brassicas), the Net-

cultivars that enable them to build up a resilient far-

herlands (potatoes) and USA (cereals, quinoa, hops).

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

31


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Some breeding researchers are convinced of the need to move away from monocultures, not only on a crop

Tradin has more than 30 years of experience. All our product are certified organic.

level but also on a cultivar level. They are exploring ways to incorporate genetic diversity into the wheat cultivar by developing modern landraces that contain many different genotypes with characteristics that

can buffer against spatial and temporal variations in

growing conditions. Martin Wolfe and Thomas Döring

(UK) discussed such composite cross-populations that

have been bred from multicrosses. When replanted by

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farmers these populations can evolve over time and adapt to local conditions. Research is now showing that

a potential in approaches that improve plant-soil inter-

genetically diverse populations also enhance the bio-

actions. Several breeding projects at Wageningen Uni-

diversity of beneficial soil life and insects and improve

versity and Research Centre, IRD in France and FiBl in

ecosystem services. Pollination is a crucial ecosystem

Switzerland are seeking to develop new ways of impro-

service, supporting not only seed setting but also the

ving the efficiency of nutrient uptake, to compensate

heterozygosity of cultivars, which can contribute to

for lower nitrogen availability. Several approaches are

the buffering capacity under conditions of abiotic and

being considered, including improving root architecture,

biotic stress. Maria Jose Suso (Spain) drew attention

and interactions with beneficial soil organisms such as

to the worldwide decline of pollinators and urged plant

mycorrhizas. F. Denninson from the University of Minne-

breeders to enhance plant-pollinator traits in order

sota, USA discussed these approaches, the trade offs

to reverse the losses of some specific functional flo-

involved and how the search for a new balance among

ral characteristics caused by conventional breeding

these conflicting goals may open new opportunities.

approaches. It is encouraging to see  that plant breeding research is Another historically neglected area of plant breeding

increasingly focussing on crop improvements suitable

has been the below-ground traits of plants. Jerry

for low-input and organic farming systems. The next

Glover, from the USA, stressed that a large amount of

step will be for breeders to implement such strategies

agricultural land is marginal and at risk from degra-

in their future plant breeding programmes.

dation from annual cropping. Such systems would be Reference:

Many farmers prefer robust or reliable cultivars that enable them to build up a resilient farming system

Goldringer, I. 2010. Breeding for Resilience: A strategy for organic and low-input farming systems? Proceedings of the Eucarpia conference Organic and Lowinput Agriculture Section, 1-3 December 2010, Paris. INRA and ITAB, France. Downloadable (for free) from http://www.eucarpia.org/03publications/OrgandLow2010Proc.pdf or from http://orgprints.org/

made less vulnerable by using perennial versions of major grain crops. Such crops develop a larger root system and can tap into deeper soil layers. Glover reported on several breeding programmes in different Northern and Southern countries that are exploring this approach. Since organic farmers are very focused on enhancing soil fertility and soil life, there would also appear to be

32

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

KOSHER KOSHER KOSHER KOSHER

Of all the products we have a very varied range

Tradin Organic Agriculture B.V. | Prins Hendrikkade 12 | 1012 TL Amsterdam | The Netherlands Phone +31 (0)20 407 44 99 | Fax +31 (0)20 497 21 00 | info@tradinorganic.com | www.tradinorganic.com


Standards & certification

adequate programme for environ­ mental conservation and restoration; adequate management of water resources, solid residues. liquid effluents and gaseous effluents; the conservation of biodiversity;

Socio-environmental and Fair Trade certification for organic products and processes.

The Brazilian Ecosocial Programme

BY ALEXANDRE HARKALY

a reduction in the environmental impacts caused by productive activi­ ty and in greenhouse gas emissions; develop a programme of environ­ mental education, and; other environmental aspects specific to each enterprise. There are also minimum criteria for human

n 2004, the Brazilian based certifier

I

discharge of effluents into a water

IBD launched the Ecosocial Programme

body that does not comply with

a commitment to transparency,

with the purpose of contributing to

environmental legislation;

land regulation,

continual socio-economic development.

evidence of the hunting, capture and

compliance with labour legislation

The present social and environmental

sale of wild animals;

and the requirements of labour

situation requires the use of more specific

improper exploitation of property

agencies,

certification tools to audit the social

rights;

recognition of unionized labour,

and environmental issues that occur

the use and manipulation of Gene­

improved health and safety

in certified enterprises, besides those

tically Modified Organisms;

standards,

already used in organic certification

absence of formal procedures for

pro-rata benefits to permanent and

protocols.

hiring and paying employees;

temporary workers,

evidence of social, cultural, political,

profit sharing,

In order to be certified in the Ecosocial

religious, ethnic, racial, sexual and

provision of adequate training

Programme enterprises must provide an

age discrimination, child labour or

opportunities (management and

initial diagnosis, showing the social and

forced labour and;

technical),

environmental requirements that they

workers being exposed to risk wit­

support for basic and continued

intend to meet. It is also necessary for

hout proper individual protection.

education, for improved living, eating

and social development. These include:

them to provide an action plan that shows in detail how the required improvements will be made. The plan should aim to meet all the minimum (or critical) criteria listed in the guideline and set out at least two progress programmes related to envi-

The present social and environmental situation requires the use of more specific certification tool.

ronmental development and two related

Although many organic movements have a background of concern with social and economic issues as well as agricultural reform, organic standards have mostly entirely focused on agricultural aspects. Since the first attempts to combine elements of organic and fair trade certification, several organic certifiers have started to develop systems that integrate social and economic aspects. One interesting example is the Ecosocial Programme of the Brazilian certifier IBD. 34

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

to human and social development during the certification year. There are three sets of criteria. The first

These are the minimum criteria for envi-

and health conditions, to working,

are known as critical criteria. Failure to

ronmental management and for human

pregnant and breast-feeding women,

meet these critical criteria will lead to the

and social development. There are other

the elderly, and to addicts (smokers

suspension or cancellation of certification,

non-critical criteria:

and abusers of alcohol and drugs)

adequacy in terms of meeting envi­

and;

breach of traceability;

ronmental legislation and the requi­

support for social and cultural orga­

evidence of unauthorized defores­

rements of the relevant environmen­

nizations and opportunities to parti­

tation;

tal agency;

cipate in these.

even if other criteria are met. These are:

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

35


By peter brul

Biodynamic farming in Russia

In addition to these criteria the Ecosocial

Millennium Development Goals and the

the decisions about the programme).

Programme incorporates innovative cri-

Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The next step involves checking if the

teria for economic development that are

It also incorporates standards and norms

enterprise already complies with the cri-

based upon the principles of fair trade.

set out in SA 8000, ISO 14000 and BS

tical minimum standards set out in the

The certifier does not set a minimum price

8800. The IBD is certified in accordance

guidelines. Should any changes need to

or the value of the premium. Instead the

with the international standards establis-

be made in order to do so the applicant

price of the product is connected to pro-

hed in ISO 65, guaranteeing the integrity

will have to clarify how they will achieve

duction costs and market negotiations.

of the entire certification process.

these .

Country-reports

The latter must be carried out following ethical principles that guarantee clarity,

While working on the details relating to

transparency and benefits to the produ-

the adjustment to minimum criteria, the

cers.

Commission can also collect the data needed to make a social and environ-

The value of the Ecosocial Premium is

mental assessment of the enterprise,

determined by the need to invest in the

which should be complete by the time

social and environmental programmes,

that the Ecosocial Programme begins.

in accordance with the goals set by the

This assessment is based on the terms of

producers/industries (and approved by the

reference provided by the certifier.

certifier). Ecosocial also differs from other

I

n the discussions about world food security, the need for

health of the population, who are generally quite poor.

higher food production and land competition between

Nowadays you can find organic products in specialized

food and energy crops, the role of the world’s largest coun-

shops and some supermarkets in the big cities. Almost all

schemes in that it can be applied to any

After this assessment and checking the

try is rarely mentioned. Yet in Russia and other countries

of them are imported. There are some home-grown organic

organic product, not just those for which

minimum criteria, the organization has

of the former Soviet Union, such as Kazakhstan and the

agriculture initiatives, dating from the early nineties when,

the minimum price and premium have

a record of its social and environmental

Ukraine, huge agricultural areas are lying fallow. I do not

in cooperation with farmers and other volunteers from Wes-

Potential applicants for the IBD Ecosocial

situation, and begins to define the pro-

have the most up to date figures (which are difficult to

tern Europe, Russia’s first organic and biodynamic farms

certification scheme can read and down-

gress criteria (two social and two envi-

obtain), but some years ago 80% of the land previously

were established.

load the guidelines from IBD’s website.

ronmental) to be implemented during the

used for agriculture in these countries was not being used

fosters fair trade relationship;

Enterprises interested in this certification

certification period. It is recommended

anymore! Even before the collapse of the Soviet Union,

The German-Canadian farmer Bernhard Hack started a 100

provides incentives for open,

can then contact IBD and discuss their

that these criteria are defined in the gui-

agriculture was in a poor state: after 1992 it completely

hectare biodynamic farm in 1992 in Bolotovo, 150 kilome-

transparent and lasting negotiations

requirements and situation. This can lead

deline references.

collapsed. Most of the fields have been abandoned for

tres north of Moscow. He produced cereals, vegetables

between stakeholders;

to a proposal being drawn up and a con-

almost 20 years, with devastating effects for rural society

and dairy products and delivered these to the local com-

fosters social and environmental

tract being signed. The next step is a pre-

After the pre-inspection and the assess-

and food production. Most food products in the supermar-

munity and local schools. In the extremely difficult circum-

development in the production chain;

inspection: an IBD inspector will visit the

ment, the operator will have all data

kets in Russian cities are imported. The empty countryside

stances of last year, the farm had to stop, like many other

encourages the implementation of

applicant to check whether the operation

necessary to complete the question-

starts just half an hour’s drive outside a big city like Mos-

initiatives in previous years. Mr. Hack has now moved to

best production practices aiming at

has the required profile for certification

naire and file an application with IBD.

cow, which has 15 million inhabitants. Last year the forests,

another area in Russia to start a goat husbandry enterprise.

improving product quality.

and to assist the client in filling out the

When the application is complete,

the pastures and the occasional piece of cultivated land

The Ecosocial guidelines are based on the

forms. One requirement at this point is to

the first annual inspection can be

suffered a heavy drought and widespread fires. There was

There are other biodynamic initiatives, in Siberia and near

Conventions of the International Labour

form a management committee, which

carried out and, if the operation

nobody there to control the fires.

Saint Petersburg. The Tuzhyliny family in Siberia runs the

Organization (ILO), and several other

shall include at least one representative

meets the requirements, it

In Russia, agricultural work has a very low status and is

‘Harmony’ club. They give trainings in biodynamic farming,

international protocols, including Agenda

of each segment of the organization (in

will receive its Ecosocial

very unpopular. While it is relatively easy to acquire land to

publish an online newspaper and produce biodynamic pre-

21, the Global Compact Programme, the

order to ensure balanced participation in

certificate

start up in farming, it is very difficult to find capable people

parations and seeds. The NGO Biodinamika was founded

to work on the farms. On the few existing farms, most work

in 1995, in Saint-Petersburg. Their mission is to stimulate

is done by people from Uzbekistan and other, southern,

biodynamic farming in Russia, by providing agricultural

former Soviet countries. The agricultural schools, which

training and education. They organize a five day seminar

were once a key part of the education system, have almost

each year, and aim to start an agricultural school. The most

disappeared.

successful project is the ‘Tul’sky Zveroboy’ market garden,

already been defined. In summary Ecosocial:

IBD

is located at Botucatu, São Paulo State. Since its foundation in 1983, it has been operating in Brazil and abroad and has inspected more than 5,000 farmers with more than 520,000 hectares of farm land and 2.5 million hectares of land for wild crop harvesting. IBD has 25 certified clients, in 12 countries, with a wide range of products. IBD is the only Brazilian certifier with IFOAM, ISO 65 (EEC 834), DEMETER,

36

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

USDA/NOP and COR (Canada) accreditations and has a partnership for JAS certification. Its certificate is accepted around the world. IBD has recently been approved under the new Brazilian law 10.831 and cooperates with more than 10 certifiers and 40 inspectors worldwide who certify Brazilian imports of organic products. www.ecosocialnet.com for fair trade issues. www.ibd.com.br for organic issues.

which has been certified since 2007. But Russia is also a rich country, with well-educated

However, there are only 300 ha. of biodynamically farmed

people, who are concerned about the environment, the

land in the whole of Russia. Most of these are run by small-

economy of their country (which cannot be based solely

holders who are members of ‘Agrosophie’, the NGO that

on oil and gas only, and the attendant corruption) and the

introduced the Demeter standards into Russia.

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

37


Organic & health

Meet the Grower, check his ecological & social footprint

Meeting at BioFach of participants in the large European research programme on organic food quality and health.

Organic Produce: Nature & More is the award winning ‘trace & tell’ brand created by Eosta and allied companies in response to consumer demand for healthy, organic and fairly traded food. It communicates the engagement and commitment of each grower towards planet and people. The Nature & More ‘trace & tell’ system empowers consumers to make an informed purchase decision. Enter the unique code, which you find on the grower stamp, at natureandmore.com and Meet the Grower! Check his ecological and social footprint, including his carbon (air) and water footprint, with the help of the revolutionary ‘Sustainability Flower’. The Sustainability Flower is based on three societal indicators: social, cultural and economic life, as well as six environmental indicators: soil, water, air, energy, animals and plants. All nine dimensions are linked to specific key performance indicators which are in compliance with the requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The Sustainability Flower has been developed to serve as a tool to stimulate and monitor progress and improvement and is not a certification scheme.

Nature & More is the first to introduce carbon neutral products based on full life cycle CO2 assessments, compensated with credits obtained on organic farming practices by Soil & More. More info: soilandmore.com

Buy ‘Seven in One’ By Machteld Huber

There is a growing awareness among consumers about the need to consume more sustainably. Food choice is one of the tools for supporting sustainability. But consumers are increasingly confronted with conflicting information.

7in1

Different production approaches

m ’ I , i H ! Rob

Control model

Conventional approach

Adaptation model

Organic approach: robustness

using LED-lights, in sterile environments (that will not need pesticides) and will not require any polluting transport. This will be presented as the most sustainable choice. What should consumers make of this?

• focus on a problem • controll variation • continuous monitoring • direct intervention • static equilibrium

• focus on the system • use of variation • stimulation of selfregulation • indirect intervention • dynamic equilibrium (Ten Napel et al., 2006; WUR/LBI)

It is all a matter of scope and the answer can only be found if we take a broader view of production systems. Once we look beyond CO2 emissions, the differences between the conventional and organic systems become clearer. This broader perspective needs to take

F

account of ‘ecosystem services’, a term

or example, one newspaper report

more methane than those that remain

that describes the other services, besides

suggested that conventional green-

inside throughout the year. And it will

food production, that agriculture provides.

house tomatoes were more sustain-

not be long before produce is grown in

These include maintaining biodiversity

able than organic ones, because in one

‘parking lots’ situated below or next to

and habitats, water cleansing and the

instance, the former had lower CO2 emis-

supermarkets. Such ‘climate chambers’

recycling of organic material and nutri-

sions. And, cows that graze outdoors in

will produce fresh vegetables the year

ents. From this perspective organic pro-

meadows have been reported to emit

round, producing vegetables hors sol,

duction offers many more benefits.

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

39


Organic & health

Buy ‘Seven in One’: the outdoors, different types of housing,

more species than conventional ones and

to see how their food is grown find it a

basket”. If one consumer gives up eating

Most consumer surveys show that peo-

1  Healthy, safe and tasty food

in some cases calves remain with their

that this can enhance productivity and

refreshing experience to see the diversity

meat for one day a week that means that

ple’s expectations about the health ben-

mothers and there is no use of preven-

the stability of the farm (and wider) eco-

on display.

two less animals a year will be needed in

efits of organic products are the main

tive and growth regulating antibiotics.

system.

motivation for buying organic. There are

The aim of organic livestock husbandry

two aspects to this; on the one hand

is to increase the natural resilience and

people know that organic produce does

robustness of the animals through spe-

Organic agriculture is environmentally

not contain any residues and this cre-

cific management practices that seek to

friendly as there is no run-off of artificial

producers, so they can know where their

ates a sense of security. On the other

prevent diseases from occurring instead

fertilizers into the surrounding water

food is coming from, rather than buying

hand there are expectations that organic

of fighting them when they do occur.

regimes and it does not use any pes-

‘anonymous food’, the origins of which

ticides. In contrast it aims to increase

are not known. Many consumers greatly

produce has a generally beneficial effect

4  A clean and sustainable environment

the food chain. Likewise, more consum6  Connectedness to the producer

ers eating organic food will have a direct

There are more and more initiatives which

impact on the organic food chain, and on

connect consumers to local or regional

the associated ecological functions.

The central strategy of organic production

on people’s health, even if this is not yet

3  Biodiversity

the fertility of soils and, in this respect,

appreciate this sort of connectedness and

is to create an ecosystem, where the self-

fully proven. There is still much scientific

Biodiversity can be measured in terms

is focused on the future. Research has

the transparency it provides. Connected-

regulating properties of organisms can

debate over this issue. Although differ-

of the number, variety and variability of

shown that organic agriculture binds more

ness is often related to a desire for a more

function optimally, thereby avoiding the

ences in the nutrient content of organic

living organisms within an ecosystem.

CO2 than conventional systems.

responsible, sustainable and healthy life-

need to utilize pesticides and antibiotics.

and conventional produce are not always

Historically human activities have led

style and also makes it easier to pursue

The aim is to maximize the robustness

found, there are increasing indications

to a reduction of biodiversity and these

these goals – improving the quality of life

and resilience of organisms, their capacity

that consumption of organic produce by

losses have accelerated to unprecedent-

of these consumers.

to adapt to changes without losing their

humans and animals increases resilience

equilibrium (or homeostasis). This strategy

and general health levels.

7in1

7  A satisfied producer enjoying his/her job

is applied to the soil, the plants, the ani-

Producers who convert to organic pro-

mals and the farm itself.

Pesticide residues are only very rarely

duction often report an increase in job

This strategy of self regulation is central

found in organic produce (for example as

satisfaction. They develop their crafts-

to organic production and is in stark con-

a result of contamination from neighbour-

manship and skills, since organic farming

trast to conventional and more technolog-

ing farms) and antibiotic resistant bacteria

is not a cookbook of recipes, but requires

ical approaches which follow a strategy of

are found far less often. GMOs are not

making individual decisions appropriate to

control and standardization.

allowed in organic production.

specific situations. Producers feel reconnected to their original motivation for becoming a farmer.

This self regulating approach brings sev-

Many professional chefs consider organic

eral valuable benefits, which enhance a

products to be tastier. This is connected

wide range of ecosystem services (listed

to a lower level of fertilizer use in organic

below) which consumers might bear in

produce, and to harvesting the produce

mind when considering buying organic.

when it is (almost) ripe and not much

edly high levels over the past 50 years.

earlier.

40

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Awareness of these multiple benefits 5  A beautiful landscape

motivates consumers to buy organic

The ecosystem approach, which pro-

produce and to enjoy the knowledge that

motes self-regulation, increases the

they are making a difference through their

Many animal and plant populations have

abundance of species on a farm. In prac-

shopping basket. This can be empower-

declined in numbers and/or their geo-

tice this means more insects, butterflies,

ing and also have a larger impact: many

2  Animal welfare

graphic spread. This threatens the stabil-

flowers, bushes, birds and amphibians.

stakeholders in the food sector are very

The regulations for organic livestock pro-

ity of ecosystems. A systems approach,

An organic farm, with a diversity of crops

aware of “the power of the shopping

duction guarantee better animal welfare

such as that used by organic producers,

has a different appearance than one that

than conventional systems. There is more

supports and stimulates biodiversity. It is

grows the same crop in monocultures.

space for each animal, more access to

known that organic farms support many

Many people who visit organic farms

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

41


Country-reports

Pomegranate

By peter brul

Rapid development of organic production after a difficult start

Iran is often in the news for the controversies about its development of nuclear power systems and other political issues, such as human rights. It is very rare to hear anything about agriculture in Iran, although it is a strong agricultural country. Iran has a long agricultural history. The area around Persepolis in Fars Province (Persia) is, alongside Mesopotamia (now split between Iraq, Syria, Turkey), the birth place of farming as we know it.

Iran: An emerging organic player Azerbaidzhan, followed by almonds and pistachios near Isfahan, pomegranates near Shiraz, saffron in the north eastern province of Mashad, and dates and citrus fruits in the south. Today, more than 7.000 organic farms, with 80,000 hectares, produce a wide range of crops, including roses, rose oil, herbs and liquorice. The European certifiers Control Union, Ecocert and BCS were the main certifiers in 2010. Javad Zare, one of the pioneers in organic agriculture in Iran, expects that the certified area will expand in 2011 to more than 300,000 hecta-

T

he plain near Shiraz is still a highly productive area,

res. Although most organic production is for export,

with two harvests a year. Wheat yields can be as

there are also small first signs of a domestic market

high as 10 tons per hectare. Iran has a huge range of

emerging. Last year the first organic restaurant opened

climatic differences and is able to grow crops ranging

its doors in Tehran.

from the sub-tropical to the temperate. Every week,

Iran is a country with good natural conditions for orga-

somewhere in the country, farmers will be planting or

nic production, but it is a difficult country for export-

harvesting potatoes. Although it is possible to grow

oriented organic production. The political situation

many different crops, (and many different crops are

makes international communications and banking

exported), organic production started late. The first

relations difficult. The heavy bureaucracy does not

attempts were in the nineties, but they were not suc-

make it easy for exporters. Success greatly depends

cessful. The political circumstances were too difficult.

on developing good local relations. Iranian producers

In 2002 two returning emigrants tried again. The first

had a booth at BioFach in 2010 for the first time and

certified organic production (of sultanas) was in West

will participate again in the fair this year.

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1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

The first Iranian stand at BioFach last year

Iran is the homeland of pomegranate, which is largely used for juice production

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

43


Standards & certification

The organic sector is backed by robust organic standards and certification systems and these have helped it become one of the fastest growing sectors of the food market. There are now over 100 countries exporting certified organic products and organic trade is expanding at the rate of 15-20% a year. Close to 500 public and private certification bodies now operate in the global organic marketplace and there are already more than 70 countries with an organic regulation in place or under development. There are more than 100 different standards used to certify organic products across the world.

1 The IFOAM Family of Standards: This service is the core of the IFOAM OGS and draws the line between organic and non-organic standards. The Family contains all standards and regulations that have passed an equivalence assessment against a normative reference approved by IFOAM’s membership. The assessment is conducted by IFOAM, in accordance with codified equivalence assessment procedures. Upon approval and publication of a standard in the Family, the results of this assessment are published on the IFOAM website and in the OGS Courier. Admission and continued approval in the Family are subject to an admission fee and annual fees. All organic standard setters/ owners can apply, including governments, certifying bodies, associations and PGS initiatives. Admission into the Family grants the use of the Family logo in relation to the standard – it is not a product logo. IFOAM will encourage all governments and private bodies to make use

By Joelle Katto-Andrighetto

of the IFOAM Family of Standards as a basis for equivalence recognitions.

The 5 Services of the new IFOAM Organic Guarantee System (OGS):

2 The IFOAM Standard: An off-the-shelf organic certification standard main-

Standards via its OGS Courier (sign up for

tained by IFOAM, it is a convenient good practice standard, based on the former

the latest OGS news via ogs@ifoam.org)

IFOAM Basic Standards. It belongs to the IFOAM Family of Standards. The IFOAM

and those who subscribed early to the

Standard can be used as a reference in the development of an own organic

IFOAM Family of Standards are already

standard, as one example of a global organic standard in studies, campaigns,

being promoted during the BioFach 2011

regulations or any other purpose. Certification bodies and standard managers can

in Nuremberg.

IFOAM has launched the Family of

Leading, assisting and uniting the world of organic certification

sign a contract with IFOAM to obtain the right to use the IFOAM Standard for certification or to affirm compliance with it. These clients will also be involved in the development process of the standard, if they wish. 3 The IFOAM Community of Best Practice Standards: This service will be developed in the coming years by IFOAM. It will recognize organic standards that lead the improvement process of Organic Agriculture. Standard owners can apply for their standard to be recognized as part of the Community of Best Practice. For

T

hese impressive figures reflect the

Yet, there is no international governmental

and those trying to jump on the organic

admission into this category, standards must have passed an assessment against

growth and the diversity of the orga-

mechanism for establishing multilateral

bandwagon without committing to the

the optional Best Practices Requirements contained in the IFOAM Standards

nic sector. Under the umbrella of IFOAM,

equivalence of national organic regulati-

organic principles. Diversity must be

Requirements. Admission will be subject to a one-off admission fee plus an annual

During BioFach 2011, certification bodies

the international organic movement has

ons: often what is recognised as “organic”

accepted (even encouraged) while preser-

fee and will grant access to the Best Practice logo to be used in relation to the

interested in an IFOAM Accreditation or

developed international references such

in one country is not recognised as orga-

ving integrity.

standard.

in a Global Organic System Accredita-

as the IFOAM Basic Standards for Orga-

nic in another.

tion can discuss details with staff from

nic Production and Processing and the

The IFOAM Organic Guarantee System

4 IFOAM and the Global Organic System Accreditation for Organic Certification Bodies:

the IOAS. At the same event, IFOAM is

Principles of Organic Agriculture. In the

(OGS) draws the line between what is

These accreditations are based on the IFOAM Accreditation Requirements (former-

available to discuss with potential clients

past few years, our movement has beco-

organic and what is not. IFOAM will pro-

ly IFOAM Accreditation Criteria) and certifiers can apply to the IOAS (International

the uptake of the IFOAM Standard as

me increasingly successful in generating

mote those who are admitted into the

Organic Accreditation Service, a daughter company of IFOAM) to obtain either the

certification standard. Operators using a

interest and support from governments,

system as truly organic and encourage

IFOAM Accreditation or the Global Organic System Accreditation. Both accreditati-

standard that is in the Family and whose

many of whom have started very serious

their mutual recognition through multilate-

ons are conducted by the IOAS and subject to accreditation fees. IFOAM encoura-

certification body is accredited by IFOAM

organic programmes.

ral equivalence. Being admitted or accre-

ges all governments to recognize the IFOAM and Global Organic System accredi-

or their respective governments, will be

tations as necessary and/or sufficient for access to their organic market.

able to start using the Global Organic

One less-expected development is that

IFOAM believes that there is one common

dited within the IFOAM Organic Guaran-

government regulations have become

vision of what organic is, even though

tee System is, for organic standards and

increasingly important in defining what is

there may be slight differences in the

certification bodies, the most important

5 A Global Organic Mark for operators:  This mark is available to organic opera-

organic and how this should be verified.

details of standards and regulations. The

endorsement of their organic credibility.

tors certified to any organic standard or regulation approved in the IFOAM Family

All the OGS service logos are presented

Governments are now faced with the

organic movement has proven strong

Ultimately, IFOAM aims to have all repu-

of Standards and certified within a credible system (government-approved or

in the February 14, 2011 edition of the

daunting task of working out bilateral

enough to define this common vision and

table organic certification systems within

IFOAM-approved verification system). Use of the mark is permitted on the pro-

OGS Courier. See www.ifoam.org/ogs for

equivalence agreements with one another.

to lead the fight against “green-washers”

its OGS.

44

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Mark immediately after BioFach.

ducts under contract with IFOAM and is subject to a percentage fee.

more information.

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

45


Agro-biodiversity

by Vanaja Ramprasad their diversity, with small-scale, marginal,

sustenance is derived from the use of

India’s has many different geographical

farmers playing a major role.

diverse crops, flora and fauna.

regions and a vast genetic diversity with

Multi-cropping systems combine spe-

Seed has been the life line of food production, ever since organized agriculture began.

Seed, the life line of organic agriculture

India is home to over 100,000 rice varieties. Yet, more than 90 percent of these have been lost and the rest are on the brink of extinction.

In recent times, the potentials of seeds as a means of technological intervention in agriculture have captured the attention of the world, due to commercial interests on the one hand and, on the other, the urgent need to conserve diversity.

T

he Green Revolution largely benefited

sowing. Saving seeds was part of the

occurred in the transition to modern agri-

farmers in irrigated areas, the fertilizer

culture and tradition of agriculture. Today,

culture which, through monocropping,

and seed industry and urban consumers.

however, the industrialization of farming

has greatly simplified agricultural proces-

However, small-scale farmers in dry lands

has undermined the role of the farmers in

ses and reduced genetic diversity, even

did not benefit much and often suffered

contributing to seed security.

within a single crop. The loss in genetic

adverse side effects. For centuries these

India was home to over 100,000 rice

diversity affects both domesticated and

farmers have used their heirloom seeds,

varieties. Yet, more than 90 percent of

wild flora and fauna. Much of the diversity

to preserve the genetic diversity of their

these have been lost and most of the rest

in India’s irrigated tracts was lost during

lands, domesticating crops through the

are on the brink of extinction. Evidence

the Green Revolution period, while the

simple act of selecting seeds for re-

shows that this severe loss of diversity

dry lands and semi-arid tracts maintained

46

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

specific characteristics that have evolved

cies and structural diversity in time and

Organic farmers breed crop varieties

along with these environments. Varieties

space through both vertical and horizon-

for quality, nutrition, resistance and

that have been found that are suited to

tal organization of the cropping regime.

yield, with practically no external input.

fragile ecosystems, such as drylands

Such systems have a higher biodiversity

Research has shown that these characte-

or saline coastal areas, are being con-

of plants, microbes and animals and this

ristics are more likely to be found in older,

served by farmers’ networks, facilitated

supports the productivity of crops - even

native cultivars. In particular, open pollina-

by GREEN. The Green Revolution, with

under stressful conditions - and mediate

ted varieties and indigenous breeds have

its focus has on increasing productivity,

the biological recycling of nutrients. In

diverse and regionally adapted characte-

through using a narrow genetic base

addition, indigenous local genetic diver-

ristics, suitable to organic agriculture.

of high yielding varieties, backed up by

sity can provide security against disease

In the last decade, the adoption of orga-

synthetic inputs and increased quantities

and pathogens, which may well increase

nic agriculture has indirectly established

of water, led to such local varieties being

as a result of climate change and conditi-

a rescue operation of species, varieties

neglected. Diversity has special signifi-

ons of drought. In the last 15 years, as a

and breeds, threatened by under-use or

cance for maintaining and enhancing the

response to changing climatic conditions,

extinction. Of the vast diversity in food

quality and productivity of agricultural

community seed banks for conservation

crops, rice, wheat and maize have beco-

crops. Geneticist Melaku Worede argues

have been introduced by the Foundation

me established as the world’s main staple

that a wide variety of plant and animal

for Genetic Resource Energy, Ecology

crops. Indigenous species that have a

species provide materials for nutrition,

and Nutrition (GREEN). GREEN has learnt

high-yield potential and are resistant to

food, feed, fibre and medicinal uses. Such

many valuable lessons through working

pests and drought, under different soil

diversity is also crucial for sustaining pro-

with small-scale and marginal farmers -

and agro climatic conditions, have been

duction systems, improving human diets

the true custodians of diversity - whose

underutilized and neglected.

and supporting biological systems, and

IFOAM

’s Position on Seed

Based on several motions during IFOAM’s General Assembly in Modena in 2008, IFOAM, together with interested stakeholders, has developed a position on seed. This position should guide organic stakeholders in the development of their seed policies, in terms of research, advice, communication and setting standards. In September 2010, a consultation on the draft seed position paper was launched among stakeholders and this has provoked a heated debate. A synthesis of this discussion is now ready for the approval of IFOAM’s World Board and will be published soon with more details in Ecology and Farming.

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 1-2011

47


Calen dar Items

FEBRUARY - DECEMBER 2011 //

are essential for the sustainability of local

or pest (or to several pests at one time)

ric designation for seeds that have had a

communities.

and then selecting a group of the most

gene from the soil bacteria bacillus thurin-

There is a need for a wide gene pool in

resistant plants and interbreeding them

gensis (Bt) added to them. This gene ena-

order to improve and multiply genetic

for several generations, the resistance of

bles the plant to produce a protein that is

resources for food and agriculture. Bree-

the population can be increased. Horizon-

toxic to some types of insects, especially

ding requires access to seeds and breeds

tally resistant cultivars are well adapted to

the American boll worm. Currently more

from both the formal and informal sectors.

the environment in which they are bred,

than half the pesticides used in India are

Open pollinated varieties, which represent

but may be less suitable for other growing

sprayed on cotton.

an important gene pool for resource-poor

conditions.

As farmers in India got on the pesticide

farmers living in marginalized and stress-

treadmill, more chemicals were required,

prone areas, are rapidly vanishing. They

‘justifying’ the need for Bt cotton. But Bt

are being replaced by a very limited num-

cotton does not offer a solution, or alter-

ber of hybrid varieties that require inputs

native to using pesticides, since cotton

that are not affordable to poor farmers

is attacked by seventeen other pests and

and which entail dependence on large

these require frequent and prolonged use

seed companies and increased quantities

of pesticides. The large-scale introduction

of water.

of Bt cotton has been resisted because it also has implications for monopoly con-

IFOAM is developing a position on orga-

trol and creating dependence for seed

nic seed which seeks to promote the

and other inputs.

co-existence of the formal seed sector and the informal (peasant) propagation in

Similarly, Golden Rice has been promoted

order to increase agricultural biodiversity.

as a way of alleviating malnutrition and

This will involve IFOAM in lobbying for the

blindness among rice-dependent popula-

FEBRUARY 15th 2011 IFOAM Summit / Member Meeting BioFach 2011 Nürnberg, Germany www.ifoam.org/ifoamsummit2011 FEBRUARY 16-19th 2011 BioFach Nürnberg 2011 Nürnberg, Germany www.ifoam.org/biofach2011 MAY 12-15th 2011 Ekoloji Izmir 2011, 10th Organic Product Fair Izmir, Turkey ekolojiizmir.izfas.com.tr MAY 26-28th, 2011 BioFach China 2011 Shanghai, China www.biofach-china.com

SEPTEMBER 22-24th 2011 BioFach America 2011 Baltimore, USA www.biofach-america.com SEPTEMBER 26th OCTOBER 5th 2011 17th Organic World Congress 2011 Gyeonggi Paldang, South Korea www.kowc2011.org

NOVEMBER 1-3rd 2011 BioFach Japan 2011 Tokyo, Japan www.biofach-japan.com

OCTOBER 3-5th 2011 IFOAM General Assembly 2011 Gyeonggi Paldang, South Korea www.ifoam.org/GA2011

DECEMBER 5-7th 2011 Middle East Natural & Organic Products Expo 2011 Dubai, United Arab Emirates www.naturalproductme.com

OCTOBER 5th-7th 2011 BioFach America Latina 2011 Sao Paulo, Brazil www.biofach-americalatina.com

DECEMBER 14-16th 2011 BioFach India 2011 Mumbai, India www.biofach-india.com

“Healthy flow of money in society”

establishment of an open source public

There are several challenges involved in

tions. Hunger in the midst of plenty is the

domain for varieties that are not protected

promoting and conserving varietal diver-

hallmark of today’s patterns of develop-

by intellectual property rights, so they can

sity within species. These include: the

ment. India’s food production levels peak-

be freely bred, propagated and traded by

loss of indigenous knowledge about seed,

ed at around 209 million tones in the year

farmers, without having resort to invasive

poor timing of seed sowing (in relation to

2000, yet even then some 42 percent of

technologies.

rainfall), poor local processing facilities,

the rural population consumed less than

lack of opportunities for adding value and

the recommended minimum 2430 Kcals

Many organic farmers, especially in the

poor market access.

per day. Inadequate calorie consumption

horticulture sector, have begun to pro-

There is growing resistance to the wide-

is particularly prevalent among farm hou-

duce their own seeds. In doing so, they

spread notions that food and seed are

seholds with less than one acre and the

have often had to rescue local varieties

merely commodities to be traded and

landless households.

and develop their own systems of selec-

genetically manipulated. In the last

More recently civil society mounted a

tion and distribution, including seed

decade, food and agriculture have been

persuasive campaign against introducing

exchanges between farmers (e.g. village

caught in the clutches of biotechnology

genetically engineered brinjal into India.

organic seed banks). Farmers who save

and genetic engineering, which is being

This campaign won the support of sensi-

their own seeds can gradually increase

offered as a solution to reduce hunger

tive scientists and farmers, and the move

• Support of industries who seek quality and safety in their products;

crop resistance to pests and diseases

and malnutrition through higher yields.

to allow GM brinjal was put on hold.

by breeding for horizontal resistance.

There are serious doubts about the so-

While an encouraging result, this repre-

• Networking in the NGO world;

This describes the ability of a crop to

called ‘pro-poor biotech’ that is emerging.

sented more a coma, rather than a full

resist many or all strains of a particular

Local companies riding on the back of

stop, on attempts to introduce genetically

pest (and differs from breeding for ver-

the biotechnolgy revolution are more

engineered food crops into the country.

tical resistance, in which the focus is on

concerned with serving the interests of

developing a gene that can resist one

multinational companies than meeting the

Dr. Vanaja Ramprasad is Founder of the

specific strain of a disease). By exposing

needs of marginal farmers. Bt cotton pro-

GREEN Foundation and IFOAM World

a population of plants to a certain disease

vides a concrete example. Bt is the gene-

Board Member

48

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Our Mission

• Explain and promote sustainable agriculture and animal production in its productive chain, aiming health and life integrity of humans, animals, plants, water, earth and air.

Our activities:

• Organization of national and international seminars and conferences. In 2010 the focus has been public health and quality of living in relation to food security and food origin; • High quality level networking in universities, industry, government, medical and consumer associations, sustainability orientation; • Support of small communities, who strive to protect the social, health, gender, economic sound and environment aspects of common living. Municipality impacts of global warming and food security;

• Consultancy and observatories in medicine, toxicology, agriculture, law and food. Etica da Terra /Instituto Ita Wegman do Brasil has won a special status -OSCIP- from the Ministry of Justice in Brasil in 2010.

Contact

Josiana Arippol E-mail: josiana@eticadaterra.org Tel: +55 11 3443-6423 Av. Brig. Faria Lima, 3729-4o/5o andares CEP: 04538-905 São Paulo/SP/Brasil

Josiana Arippol E-mail: josiana@institutoitawegmandobrasil.org Tel: +55 11 3443-6397 Av. Brig. Faria Lima, 3729-4o/5o andares CEP: 04538-905 São Paulo/SP/Brasil


Our organic seeds grow your success

In the next Issue!

APRIL 2011 // NR 2

Rijk Zwaan is a world-leading specialist in

Coming up in the next issue of Ecology and Farming (April 2011) Greenhouse horticulture: a reaction to the article by

creating high-quality vegetable varieties; also for the organic market. We do this through innovative research & development, led by the needs of our customers. It is our aim to be a

Mike Nichols. Should we allow aquaponics in organic

important for the future than climate change”. A discus-

greenhouses, or should we stick to soil-based horticul-

sion between soil scientists about the need for better soil

ture? This debate will have a big impact on the future

management strategies in organic agriculture.

development of organic greenhouse horticulture and for

knowledgeable, collaborative partner, with infinite respect for

Soil quality: “the loss of soil quality might be even more

the environment. Rijk Zwaan. www.rijkzwaan.com

Salt tolerant crops: producing and marketing of a new range of organic crops. The organic solution for agriculture

existing gardeners. Organic and Health: Machteld Hüber (author of ‘Buy 7

in saline areas.

in 1’) continues with a summary of scientific research on the relative health effects of organic and conventional products. Cocoa: the large players in the cocoa market follow both the short term interests of consumers and a long term interest in sustainable production. What prospects are there for the cocoa market being more organic and

423797RZW_adv187x126.indd 1

03-02-11 09:17

fairer? Integrity: the organic is now worth 50 billion dollars a year and continues to grow rapidly. That makes it

Country report: Turkey, the world leader in the organic

attractive for many entrepreneurs. A group of experts on

production of dried fruits and nuts, is developing new

inspection and certification is worried about the integrity

programmes for organic production, through exports and

of the organic seal and is trying to close the gaps between

developing the domestic market.

legislation, standards, inspection and certification on the

And more news, opinions facts and figures about orga-

one hand and the harsh reality on the ground on the other.

nic farmers and market gardeners, companies, innovations

A report from the ‘fraud team’.

in agriculture and market developments.

CONTACT Publisher  Jaap van Westering Editorial staff  Peter Brul (editor in chief) Denise Godinho Nick Parrott Contributors to this issue  Alexandre Harkaly, Denise Godinho, Edith Lammers van Buren, Mike Nichols, Markus Arbenz, Peter Brul, Inge Vos, Hartwig Mennen, Marina Goldinberg, Machteld Hüber, Vanaja Ramprasad, and Nelleke Veenstra.

Editorial office  P.O.Box 696 3740 AP Baarn, The Netherlands T +31 35 88 735 31 F +31 35 54 241 19 E p.brul@ecologyandfarming.com W www.ecologyandfarming.com Lay-out  Vilarrica bv, Baarn, The Netherlands Maurice Spithoven (design) Annemieke Praamstra Print  Drukkerij van Amerongen, The Netherlands - FSC certified

Advert acquisition  Van Westering Groep bv Baarn, The Netherlands T +31 35 88 735 31 Subscriber administration  P.O.Box 696 3740 AP Baarn, The Netherlands E subscriptions@ecologyandfarming.com W www.ecologyandfarming.com Subscription  Annual fee (2011), frequency of 6 x per year: Companies € 120,NGO’s € 90,IFOAM members can get a reduction of 50%

Ecology and Farming is published by Van Westering Groep bv, Netherlands, under the auspices of IFOAM 50

1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

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1-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING


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