Organic Farming with a tropical twist
Organic farming has long been touted as an environmentally friendly alternative
to conventional agriculture. Strong evidence to support that claim was
established when researchers found that fertilizing apple trees with
synthetic chemicals produced more adverse environmental effects than
feeding them with organic manure or alfalfa, according to a new study in the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reported ScienceDaily1.
GREENFIELD, Mass. (January 9, 2006) — With organic industry growth
continuing at a steady pace of nearly 20 percent per year, new organic offerings
have proliferated in the marketplace. From snack foods and baked goods to
frozen items and dairy products, grocery shelves carry organic alternatives in
nearly every food category. There are even non-food products that carry the
organic seal, too. That is why it is important to understand the various organic
labelling options2.
Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
Made in the Philippines atop Mt. Banahaw, Tropical Tradition's Virgin Coconut Oil
is organic and unrefined. The company makes their oil from some of the most
nutrient rich organic coconuts in the world, which are grown in the volcanic soil of
Mt. Banahaw and are very rich in lauric acid. Tropical Traditions pride
themselves on this unrefined oil that is made by family producers who are
certified organic according to strict USDA standards. Made using traditional
methods that have been used for hundreds of years, the coconut oil is not mass
produced and no chemical or high-heat treatment is used during production3.
1
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/03/060306214303.htm
http://www.organicnewsroom.com/2006/01/get_smart_about_organic_labels.html
3
www.tropicaltraditions.com
2
Organic Palm Oil
Palm oil comes from a tropical palm tree (elaeis guineensis - NOT the same as
coconut palm trees), which is native to the tropical areas of Africa, where it grows
wild. The palm oil palm was introduced to South East Asia in the early 1900s,
and Malaysia is now the world leader in exports of palm oil. Being an introduced
crop to Asia, they are mainly harvested from large plantations, which cannot
grow the palm oil nuts organically. Virgin Palm Oil (sometimes referred to as
"Red Palm Oil") is palm oil that is traditionally made and maintains the natural
nutrients of carotenes (precursors to Vitamin A) and the antioxidant tocotrienols
(Vitamin E). 4
Vanilla Growers Going Organic to Beat Competition
The international market for vanilla is getting tough. Vanilla prices have been
declining worldwide since January 2004, and many farmers have abandoned the
crop. Prices have been declining due to an increasing number of producers and
decreased demand as food processors turn to lower-cost synthetic flavours. The
one place where a profit can still be had is in the growth of organic vanilla5.
Organically grown mangoes catching on
An organically grown variety of mango here is attracting lovers of this luscious
summer fruit. The mangoes, available in the Kesar variety, are priced slightly
higher than the regular mangoes and enjoy their own customer base. The
initiative for the organic mango comes from the Society for Research and
Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions (Sristi), an NGO that
promotes organic agriculture6.
Organic bananas gain market share
In the United States and Canada, organic bananas account for just 0.5 percent of
total banana consumption, FAO said in the study entitled "The market for
'organic' and 'fair-trade' bananas". In the EU, organic banana sales of some
40,000 tonnes represent one percent of total banana turnover7.
4
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/red_palm_oil.htm
http://www.naturalfoodnet.com/nfnportal/article.aspx?aid=643
6 http://onlypunjab.com/fullstory2k5-insight-news-status-25-newsID-2335.html
7 http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?id=42487-organic-bananas-gain
5
Hawaii Considers Ten-Year GMO Ban
Field testing and growing some genetically modified Hawaii crops could
be banned for 10 years, according to bills making their way through the
legislature.
Supporters say a moratorium is the only way to protect organic crops
from genetically modified experiments. But opponents of the ban say it
puts coffee and taro in great danger of succumbing to diseases.
Taro is one of Hawaii's oldest crops. But it's at the heart of debate
about modern genetically modified agriculture8.
Organic perspectives
Developing countries, that represent the main suppliers of tropical organic
commodities to northern markets, may face trade barriers due to different country
requirements. International equivalence of organic standards is of key
importance to decrease government administration and to prevent redundant
certification. The application of the principle of equivalence would bring mutual
benefits to both exporting and importing countries because it would ensure
flexibility to exporters and conformity with requirements of importers. Growth
prospects of organic trade will be availed only if official measures are established
for international equivalency of organic standards9.
What about the wine?
For 20 years, the world of wine has been revolutionized. The litres of "étoilé" and
"Margnat Village" from our childhood have almost disappeared. We consume
better quality wine but less of it. Furthermore, the arrival of foreign wines on the
market has shaken the French leadership. As a result: new techniques have
appeared and we are rediscovering the soil.10
8
http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/Hawaii022806.cfm
http://www.foa.org/organicag/doc/Organic_perspectives.htm
10
http://www.seniorplanet.fr/write.php?id=11198
9