Organic Benefits Third World Farmers

From: <www.organicts.com>

POORER FARMERS BENEFIT MOST FROM ORGANIC PRACTICES

February 14, 2002 Cardiff University (Wales, UK)

Farmers in developing countries are reaping the benefits of adopting Ogreen'
agricultural practices far more than their western counterparts, suggests a
report last week.

The report, by Nicolas Parrott at Cardiff University's Department of City
and Regional Planning, was launched by German Agriculture and Environment
Minister Renate Kunast, together with Greenpeace and the International
Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) at the Biofach 2002
conference in Nuremburg on 14 February.

Mr Parrott¹s report 'The Real Green Revolution' shows the extent and success
of organic and agroecological farming techniques being practised in the
developing world. The report gives analysis of the potential for new
techniques and practices that work with the grain of nature, not against it,
and generate food security and good yields. Case studies show that:

* In Madhya Pradesh, India, average cotton yields on farms
participating in the Maikaal Bio-Cotton Project are 20 per cent higher than
on neighbouring conventional farms.

* In Madagascar, SRI (System of Rice Intensification) has increased
yields from the usual 2-3 tons per hectare to yields of 6,8 or 10 tons per
hectare.

* In Tigray, Ethiopia, a move away from intensive agrochemical usage
in favour of composting has seen an increase in yields and in the range of
crops it is possible to grow.

* In Brazil, the use of green manures and cover crops has increased
yields of maize by between 20 per cent and 250 per cent.

* In the highlands of Bolivia, the use of bonemeal and phosphate rock
and intercropping with nitrogen-fixing Lupin species have significantly
contributed to increases in potato yields.

The author, Nick Parrott of Cardiff University says: 'The Real Green
Revolution shows how organic and agroecological farming can significantly
increase yields for resource poor farmers, improve food security and sustain
and enhance the environmental resources on which agriculture in the South
depends.

"It argues for an increase in funding for research and extension services
for the organic sector and developing innovative ways of promoting knowledge
transfer between local producer groups."

Greenpeace says: ³This exciting new report makes clear that organic
agriculture and agroecology can meet the requirements of the world¹s
population but it should be embedded in the fabric of local communities and
environments. Agriculture needs to work with and respect the local
environment and respect the Oservices¹ it can provide ­ not try to dominate
and subdue it. It¹s difficult to see how this kind of agriculture can ever
be provided for by ever-fewer multinational corporations based in far-away
countries, intent upon seizing Ointellectual rights¹ to seeds and
agricultural resources.²

International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) says:
"The Greenpeace report elaborates on an aspect of the organic concept that
is less known, i.e. the wide-spread implementation of organic and
agroecological approaches in developing countries, not targeting a premium
market, but local communities. The report demonstrates in a convincing way
how well adapted organic agriculture is for making a real difference for the
poor of the world."

To download the report visit: http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/realgreenrev.htm