Organic Day

I attended a discussion on organising the Organic Day 2009 last Wednesday night. The committee members which include representatives from CETDEM and Section 19 Residents Association went through the purpose of organising, format, proposed activities and etc. The purpose is to raise awareness about organic food leading to the sustainability living. One of the interesting and pertinent points for discourse was by promoting organic produce, we are asking people to buy and eat locally produce. However, it was discovered later that many of the products sold at the retail organic shops are imported stuffs. At this juncture, no many products are locally made and accredited.

The association of organic farming with environment is reducing the use of chemical pesticide and fertiliser, hence minimise the chances for food contamination and environmental pollution. It is also meant producing the required nutrients for plants at the source. For example, composts are generated from the local waste. Indirectly the idea is getting people to self sustain by having environmental life cycle of resources/waste for guidance. The farmers will convert the waste into resources and vice verse. It is also about reducing the carbon footprint.

Hence, the question of getting organic produce from oversea or elsewhere with a distance from the consumers is tantamount of against the objectives of encouraging organic farming, I presume. We have to encourage people of eating healthy with organic products, those locally produce instead of imported. Then, the questions of regulating, incentives, awareness raising and capacity building programmes, enforcement and etc have to be in place.