GREEN NEST

ISSUE NO. 20, Jan - June 2005

How I Feel..

The ‘Big’ day finally is over. This also means that my headache or heartache is also over. No thanks for this exhibition! In fact, this was my worst and most frustrated experience among the 4 exhibitions we have organized so far. Months’ long search for an affordable and proper venue was itself time consuming and as the days drew closer and closer gave me many sleepless nights, in fact until the exhibition day itself! The delays of payment by many of the exhibitors indeed upset me besides the anxiety and uncertainty of how the exhibition and seminar would fare.

The delay of advertisement and flyers would have been avoided if only… Besides all these, there were many other details to look into or work on since I still work without an assistant. Now I must seriously look for one! Thank god, luckily Li Yoon and especially Charles were there to help. Thanks to Gurmit, Xhin and Jovian for their help when needed. Charles Tan, the most effective Chairman of the CETDEM Board of Directors who played a prominent role in organizing this exhibition is forever responsive and hardworking. CETDEM is lucky to have him as a board member.

Ok, at last how do I feel?

Sigh... How do I feel especially after the Organic Watch Exhibition 2005? Many people congratulated us for the very ‘successful’ event we have had and are looking forward for the next exhibition in 2006! Honestly, deep in my heart I am tired… not so much of the physical work and preparation that are involved but, mentally I am drained out ……drained by the lack of concern of some farmers, retailers/wholesalers/distributors and cafes that are in the organic field. It is as if ‘it is your baby, why should I support you?’

Perhaps I am wrong, there could be other reasons and also I could have stepped on many people’s toes. However, for some, if it was a question of unaffordability, one could always ask for a special rate as we did subsidise some exhibitors. Anyway, unless we can see better enthusiasm and support from all sectors, I don’t see it is meaningful and healthy to have the exhibition just for the promotion and sales of products only. It ought to be different – educative and disseminating more information and knowledge especially on farming technologies and food processing (technologies that are nature friendly) etc through posters and visual presentations.

On a more positive note, there is an improvement in a couple of distribution outlets who are better organized and well equipped in promoting their products and educating the visitors.

It will be a dream come true if one day the concerned groups could put aside their differences and interests to work together, strengthening organic farming in Malaysia & thus see the organic movement grow. As it is, we can’t even claim we have a movement! I am also frustrated that some local Research Institutes/Universities or Government Agencies, which have done quite a bit of research on composting, farm tools and food process, animal feeds and research work related to health, have also shown no interest. Perhaps, the exhibition is too small and less glamorous for them to participate and after all it was organized by a small NGO. Again I may be wrong…

No doubt the exhibition was a success in terms of visitors as we saw many new faces. We also saw much potential business interest, be it in farming, kitchen gardening, new organic outlets, business partnership and so on and so forth. The participation of Department of Agriculture (DOA) and NASAA (National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia) were encouraging though they could have put up a better show. Nevertheless, CETDEM is pleased with DOA’s active participation not only in the exhibition but also in the seminar themed ‘Where Is the Organic Market Heading?’ as well as giving a number of Talks and Demonstrations.

What CETDEM really hope to see in the future is for all the stakeholders and interest groups from all sectors once and for all to forgo their differences and work together, not only to promote organic farming and create public awareness but how to make the organic farm more sustainable and a healthier market. Well, this in itself is a challenge!

JOIN CETDEM, TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Food For Thought

Are the organic farms in Malaysia, even worldwide, using farming practices that are Sustainable? Some may be yes, more may be no, and some may be to a certain extent. From the daily operation and farming system adopted, the amount of energy used (inputs and outputs), the farmer will be able to know if the farming system is energy efficient and sustainable. Even any claimed very organic farm that uses a lot or depends much on natural occurring mineral compounds, this natural resources will also one day be depleted…

The Organic Market is Confusing

* Farms that have just converted from conventional practices into organic are claiming to be organic and selling at HIGH prices on par as organic prices.

* Farms that do not make an attempt / effort to recycle farm wastes / make their own compost or fertilizers, but solely depend on external resources – their farm intention could only be seen as “Produce to Sell’’… this farming system is unsustainable and money driven.

Labelling

* The next time you pick up an “Organic” product, make sure you read the label very carefully. For example, Organic Oat Milk… and you think all the contents within are organic … in reality it is ONLY one ingredient that is organic and the rest are chemically grown! Similarly, how can sea salt or seaweed be claimed as an ‘organic’ product?

* NATURAL unpolished / brown rice. Honestly, how can the rice be natural when they were chemically grown? I can understand, if the rice is being processed into rice bran/meals and without adding any additives etc, then it can be claimed as natural.

In my view, the organic farming / market situation is in a sorry state, without proper monitoring – neither from the Ministry of Agriculture, nor the Ministry of Health.

CETDEM has moved away from Organic Search thus this recent exhibition’s theme was Organic Watch as we are concerned about the direction in which the organic farming and market is moving. However, CETDEM can not pursue it alone…

Notification

Of late, CETDEM has been receiving many enquiries and interests in attending the Organic Farming (OF) / kitchen gardening courses. The OF Project Coordinator will be redesigning the course curriculum to commence the course by October this year. The announcement will be made online or print media.

Activities:

Jan 6 Visit to Farmer Choo Ling Hock's farm

Jan 17, Demo on farm composting to Encik Ishak and his staff at his Dragon Fruit Orchard in Tanjung Malim. The one year old 2 ha. Dragon Fruit farm.

Jan 26 - Visit to Pontian DOA Station and its farmer supported farm, which uses IMO as a source. The 2 acres, one year old farm (natural farming - in conversion) belongs to Mr. Ng Eng Hwa. The farm is located about 12 km from the town.