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Perception of Trends.
Biotechnology
Ms. Maria Zimmerman, Senior Agricultural Research Officer,
Research and Technology Development Service, described
biotechnology as any technique that uses living organisms to make
or modify a product, to improve plants or animals or to develop
micro-organisms for specific uses. Biotechnology holds many
promises, particularly more efficient breeding, more adapted
varieties, improved medicines and bio-remediation, better fibres,
more disease resistance, and more resistance to environmental
stresses (e.g. cold, drought). Excessive use of GMOs (genetically
modified organisms ) could also present risks of losing traditional
goods, environmental hazards or unknown consequences. As for
all innovations, GMOs might not be the best answer but a chance
should be given for science to improve its results. The divergence
between the US and EU positions on GMOs was mentioned,
noting that each situation has its particular case. Biotechnology is
a tool: it may help solve the food problem in the future and its value
cannot be denied, nor can its risks. Impacts will ultimately depend
on how this tool will be used.
Ms. Maria Zimmerman, Senior Agricultural Research Officer,
Research and Technology Development Service, described
biotechnology as any technique that uses living organisms to make
or modify a product, to improve plants or animals or to develop
micro-organisms for specific uses. Biotechnology holds many
promises, particularly more efficient breeding, more adapted
varieties, improved medicines and bio-remediation, better fibres,
more disease resistance, and more resistance to environmental
stresses (e.g. cold, drought). Excessive use of GMOs (genetically
modified organisms ) could also present risks of losing traditional
goods, environmental hazards or unknown consequences. As for
all innovations, GMOs might not be the best answer but a chance
should be given for science to improve its results. The divergence
between the US and EU positions on GMOs was mentioned,
noting that each situation has its particular case. Biotechnology is
a tool: it may help solve the food problem in the future and its value
cannot be denied, nor can its risks. Impacts will ultimately depend
on how this tool will be used.
We can help even in this section, help others, our world and lives,
and have a economical support.
Mr. Ali Gurkan, Senior Commodity Specialist, Basic Foodstuffs
Service, presented the FAO Information System for the Dairy Sector
as an example to establish a similar system for organic commodities
production and trade. The aim of the information system is to
disseminate and exchange information on the world dairy economy.
Two services have been established: a Dairy Outlook (which
consists of a regular newsletter, distributed mainly by e-mail) and a
Dairy Bulletin (available only in e-mail; it allows registered users to
post questions and answers). A similar system for organic
agriculture would be important to develop and exchange information
on technologies available and on the situation of the organic
agriculture system.
and have a economical support.
Mr. Ali Gurkan, Senior Commodity Specialist, Basic Foodstuffs
Service, presented the FAO Information System for the Dairy Sector
as an example to establish a similar system for organic commodities
production and trade. The aim of the information system is to
disseminate and exchange information on the world dairy economy.
Two services have been established: a Dairy Outlook (which
consists of a regular newsletter, distributed mainly by e-mail) and a
Dairy Bulletin (available only in e-mail; it allows registered users to
post questions and answers). A similar system for organic
agriculture would be important to develop and exchange information
on technologies available and on the situation of the organic
agriculture system.
Organic agriculture focuses on the interactions between organisms
and systems (holistic approach), as well as on very low external
input and high internal process activity. The organic movement
does not therefore support:
• one way solutions which weaken the system approach;
• technology that is difficult to access or expensive to farmers;
• unnecessary risks for the environment or health;
• universally used “super” cultivars (regional breeding and
selection of crops are preferred instead);
• unnecessary risk of resistance (e.g. the very useful Bt toxin
could become ineffective as a natural insecticide, if the Bt modified
plants provoke resistant pests);
• patenting of genetically engineered resources.
and systems (holistic approach), as well as on very low external
input and high internal process activity. The organic movement
does not therefore support:
• one way solutions which weaken the system approach;
• technology that is difficult to access or expensive to farmers;
• unnecessary risks for the environment or health;
• universally used “super” cultivars (regional breeding and
selection of crops are preferred instead);
• unnecessary risk of resistance (e.g. the very useful Bt toxin
could become ineffective as a natural insecticide, if the Bt modified
plants provoke resistant pests);
• patenting of genetically engineered resources.
Brazil’s potential for organic agriculture
Brazil is the country with the greatest diversity of life forms.
Climatic and edaphic variation is tremendous, and the greatest
single economic activity is agriculture, in all its diverse forms.
The general philosophy amongst many research workers of the
very large and effective National Agricultural Research
Corporation is to develop appropriate home-grown solutions to
problems in agricultural production, and adapt technologies
from other countries or create new ones.
There is a strong movement for agriculture that conserves the
soil and the environment, and yields products free of agro-
chemicals. The process in the area of biological control of crop
pests (used widely in maize, soybean, and sugar cane), the
great success in breeding of plant genotypes resistant to
disease and soil acidity, as well as the replacement of nitrogen
fertilisers by biological nitrogen fixation, are all evidence of this
movement
Brazil is the country with the greatest diversity of life forms.
Climatic and edaphic variation is tremendous, and the greatest
single economic activity is agriculture, in all its diverse forms.
The general philosophy amongst many research workers of the
very large and effective National Agricultural Research
Corporation is to develop appropriate home-grown solutions to
problems in agricultural production, and adapt technologies
from other countries or create new ones.
There is a strong movement for agriculture that conserves the
soil and the environment, and yields products free of agro-
chemicals. The process in the area of biological control of crop
pests (used widely in maize, soybean, and sugar cane), the
great success in breeding of plant genotypes resistant to
disease and soil acidity, as well as the replacement of nitrogen
fertilisers by biological nitrogen fixation, are all evidence of this
movement
Defining organic agriculture
Within this overall framework of sustainable agriculture, organic
agriculture is one form of agriculture that can be equated to an
“organisational principle”. The main approach of organic
agriculture is to manage a mixed farm, as much as possible, like
an organism within a closed system. Since site-conditions are
individual properties by definition, a farm can be conceived as
an individual entity. Compared to other types of agriculture,
organic agriculture depends more on specific site-conditions
and is therefore forced to combine the best adapted elements to
an holistic approach.
The aims and principles of organic production are:
• nearly closed cycles of nutrients and organic matter within
the farm;
• predominantly farm-produced manure and compost;
• if needed, slowly soluble minerals for fertilising only (P/K);
• if possible, self-produced seeds;
• weed control by crop rotation, cultivation, thermal methods
and competition effects;
• pest control based on homeostasis and inoffensive
substances, use of predators promoted by structures like
hedges, flowering plants, etc.;
• lasting fertility due to efficient “reproduction of soil organic
matter”;
• encouraging and enhancing biological processes (N2
fixation);
• for animal welfare, appropriate housing systems and
suitable feeding with farm grown crops (10-15% of daily ration in
dry matter can be imported).
The aims and principles related to social implications of organic
agriculture are:
• within the national economy, optimum input to output ratio
regarding material and energy;
• within the household economy, stable monetary results;
• within the market system: fair trade and prices; regional
mixed production; transparent consumer-producer relationship;
quality of produce; and satisfaction to work in harmony with laws
of nature;
• minimised negative impacts on producers, consumers,
and environment;
• maximum conservation of soils, water, air and wildlife.
Organic agriculture relationship with environmental quality is
enhanced through mix of crop and livestock farming that creates
diversified production systems. Flora and fauna needs are
fulfilled, and diverse landscapes are maintained, through wide
crop rotation with flowering forage legumes, linked with
hedgerows, pasture, shading trees, and other biotops.
Organic agriculture aims at building soil fertility and vitality within
a more or less closed system and the systematic target-oriented
organization of nutrient flows is far more important than
avoidance of synthetic inputs.
In brief, the main principle of organic agriculture is to feed the
soil rather than plants and to be “bio-intensive” instead of
“chemio-intensive”. It promotes environmentally, socially and
economically sound production of food and fibres. These
systems take local soil fertility as a key to successful production.
By respecting the natural capacity of plants, animals and the
landscape, it aims to optimise quality in all aspects of agriculture
and the environment. Organic agriculture dramatically reduces
external inputs (and therefore dependence on exogenous
resources) by refraining from the use of synthetic fertilisers,
pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Instead, it allows the powerful
laws of nature to increase both yields and disease resistance.
Organic agriculture adheres to globally accepted principles,
which are implemented within local social-economic, geo-
climatical and cultural settings. Therefore, IFOAM stresses and
supports the development of self-supporting systems at local
and regional levels.
Within this overall framework of sustainable agriculture, organic
agriculture is one form of agriculture that can be equated to an
“organisational principle”. The main approach of organic
agriculture is to manage a mixed farm, as much as possible, like
an organism within a closed system. Since site-conditions are
individual properties by definition, a farm can be conceived as
an individual entity. Compared to other types of agriculture,
organic agriculture depends more on specific site-conditions
and is therefore forced to combine the best adapted elements to
an holistic approach.
The aims and principles of organic production are:
• nearly closed cycles of nutrients and organic matter within
the farm;
• predominantly farm-produced manure and compost;
• if needed, slowly soluble minerals for fertilising only (P/K);
• if possible, self-produced seeds;
• weed control by crop rotation, cultivation, thermal methods
and competition effects;
• pest control based on homeostasis and inoffensive
substances, use of predators promoted by structures like
hedges, flowering plants, etc.;
• lasting fertility due to efficient “reproduction of soil organic
matter”;
• encouraging and enhancing biological processes (N2
fixation);
• for animal welfare, appropriate housing systems and
suitable feeding with farm grown crops (10-15% of daily ration in
dry matter can be imported).
The aims and principles related to social implications of organic
agriculture are:
• within the national economy, optimum input to output ratio
regarding material and energy;
• within the household economy, stable monetary results;
• within the market system: fair trade and prices; regional
mixed production; transparent consumer-producer relationship;
quality of produce; and satisfaction to work in harmony with laws
of nature;
• minimised negative impacts on producers, consumers,
and environment;
• maximum conservation of soils, water, air and wildlife.
Organic agriculture relationship with environmental quality is
enhanced through mix of crop and livestock farming that creates
diversified production systems. Flora and fauna needs are
fulfilled, and diverse landscapes are maintained, through wide
crop rotation with flowering forage legumes, linked with
hedgerows, pasture, shading trees, and other biotops.
Organic agriculture aims at building soil fertility and vitality within
a more or less closed system and the systematic target-oriented
organization of nutrient flows is far more important than
avoidance of synthetic inputs.
In brief, the main principle of organic agriculture is to feed the
soil rather than plants and to be “bio-intensive” instead of
“chemio-intensive”. It promotes environmentally, socially and
economically sound production of food and fibres. These
systems take local soil fertility as a key to successful production.
By respecting the natural capacity of plants, animals and the
landscape, it aims to optimise quality in all aspects of agriculture
and the environment. Organic agriculture dramatically reduces
external inputs (and therefore dependence on exogenous
resources) by refraining from the use of synthetic fertilisers,
pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Instead, it allows the powerful
laws of nature to increase both yields and disease resistance.
Organic agriculture adheres to globally accepted principles,
which are implemented within local social-economic, geo-
climatical and cultural settings. Therefore, IFOAM stresses and
supports the development of self-supporting systems at local
and regional levels.
IFOAM's experience and perception of trends
The growing reality of organic trade
Mr. Bernward Geier showed a series of pictures of
conventional and organic fields around the world to illustrate
the life quality that organic agriculture can bring and the
possibility for this form of agriculture in different regions of the
developing world. He also referred to the current boom of
organic agriculture, by specifying that developments were not
restricted to Northern countries (buying of organic food in the
US amounts to 3.5 billion US$ a year and is growing) but also
to developing countries (e.g. organic tea in Egypt). The faster
the organic market develops, the more the organic movement
will be confronted with finding answers to the farmer's
“temptation” to specialize, and thus to sacrifice the
diversification principle on which organic agriculture is based.
Within the globalisation trend, seasonal and regional priorities
for nutrition and food security should be established to
promote exchanges from field to field, farm to farm, shop to
shop, village to village and region to region.
The growing reality of organic trade
Mr. Bernward Geier showed a series of pictures of
conventional and organic fields around the world to illustrate
the life quality that organic agriculture can bring and the
possibility for this form of agriculture in different regions of the
developing world. He also referred to the current boom of
organic agriculture, by specifying that developments were not
restricted to Northern countries (buying of organic food in the
US amounts to 3.5 billion US$ a year and is growing) but also
to developing countries (e.g. organic tea in Egypt). The faster
the organic market develops, the more the organic movement
will be confronted with finding answers to the farmer's
“temptation” to specialize, and thus to sacrifice the
diversification principle on which organic agriculture is based.
Within the globalisation trend, seasonal and regional priorities
for nutrition and food security should be established to
promote exchanges from field to field, farm to farm, shop to
shop, village to village and region to region.