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Volume No. 1 Issue No. 49 - Friday October 03, 2003
Why Dominica Can Become an Organic Nation
by Terri Henry


I read with great interest the article by Neal Nixon on trading foods and the ensuing articles and continuing debate about organic farming. I would like to contribute my opinion in support for organic farming.

When I first read the piece by Colin Lees on the proposal for totally organic nation I was excited at such a bold statement and all it�s possibilities and therefore have been dismayed at some of the more pessimistic and cautious responses.

When faced with such a grand scale task it is imperative to remember that turning Dominica into a completely organic nation is not an overnight project but rather a gradual process. If a total conversion to organic farming is the goal it will involve a journey and as with any journey it must begin with small steps in order for us to reach the destination. To suggest that we just shelve the issue �until the next century� is to lack foresight and awareness of the course of development.

It is true that organic farming does require greater knowledge of the land, plants and overall environment. However it does not necessarily mean more hours of labor or back breaking work. In fact techniques used in biodynamic and permaculture farming can actually decrease overall workload.

By planting crops that work in harmony together, mulching and other simple holistic techniques it is possible to significantly reduce time spent on weeding and pest control whilst also producing higher yields and tastier, more nutrient rich foods.

There are going to be certain pests that appear without pesticides to eradicate them but working in harmony with nature many of these can be greatly reduced, let�s not forget that organic banana�s are currently being produced successfully throughout the Caribbean region.

The trend of the increasing demand for organic and ethnic foods in the US and Europe is very encouraging and should certainly fuel the move to increase our supply of these products. However we must also avoid becoming solely dependent on the large supermarkets as our only outlet.

Their huge power and influence can often leave the small farmer as the loser in the constant battle to drive down prices. Diversity is always the key to survival and there are many ways in which we could exploit this.

If organic farming became widespread and more publicised within Dominica this would certainly fit in with the image of the �nature isle�. There is a growing interest in courses and training, which promote and teach skills to live sustainably and in harmony with nature.

Dominica could attract this growing sector of people and indeed become a centre for organic excellence. Many organic farms around the world are part of the scheme known as WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) in which volunteers come to offer their services to assist farms on the island. This volunteer power will have the effect of reducing workloads on the farm, whilst increasing tourism and trade on the island.

It is also important to look at multiple uses of any product. For example the bark from the stem of banana trees can be recycled and made into Banana paper! As strange as it may sound this is already happening on many Caribbean islands and again fills the growing demand for unique, natural and environmentally sound products.

Even a brief consideration of the many negative side effects of the chemicals used on our foods should lead us to question their widespread and un-monitored usage. We cannot afford to ignore the devastating and long-term effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on the health of humans, our environment and wildlife.

Many foods still contain residues of these pesticides when harvested and eaten. Their use equates to a slow poisoning as they build up in our bodies causing diseases such as cancer, birth deformities and reducing fertility, immunity and mental ability. Within the environment they eradicate many of the micro-organisms and creatures which are vital to maintaining soil fertility.

Robbing the soil of its precious natural life soon leads to the vicious cycle so often seen in intensive western farming where each year more and more chemicals must be applied to achieve the same yields and thus decreasing fertility further each time.

We must also remember that food is not simply a commodity. Natural foods are a gift from nature, our source of nourishment and life. A more holistic perspective views the farmer as a guardian of mother-nature with finely tuned skills knowledge and intuition rather than just landowners with chemical spray guns.

The world is changing dramatically in many ways. Our journey away from nature and sustained assaults on the earth, of which multi chemical farming is one of them, leaves us on the brink of irreparable damage to our environment and poses great threats to human survival.

Now is the time to recognise the potential and inevitable effects of these changes on our health and the environment and do all that we can to reverse the trend by modifying and adapting our energy use and farming methods. This is the time to be pioneering this transition in order that we survive and thrive in years to come in all ways � physically, environmentally and financially.


Comments about this article? Email:
editor@
thedominican.net
Telephone:
1-571-236-9502
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1-202-589-7937

Volume No. 1 Issue No. 49
Fear and Imagination
First Caribbean Diaspora Empowerment Conference
Laundry Facilities for PMH
More of an Organic Nation
What About the Aerial Tram?




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