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WORKSHOP ON GREEN PRODUCTIVITY AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: CASE OF NATURAL FARMING
MALAYSIA
Megat Amirul Saifulnizam Research Consultant National Productivity Corporation Afzai Nizam bin Sandiman Programme Coordinator National Institute of Public Administration Public Service Department Malaysia
The greatest challenge to organic farming is to change the mindset of the farmers that although it requires a high input labor cost but the economic returns in the long term is justifiable due to the premium price associated with organic farm produce.
organic environmentally friendly methods of food production with paddy farmers and found that the returns are much better than organic or even conventional methods. For practical applications of organic methods, proper definitions and standards are required so that those farmers involved in this system practice good agronomic practices which are socially, ecologically and economically sustainable. In countries, such as Europe, Canada and others where organic foods are popular, a system of farm evaluation has developed to ensure that products labelled and sold as organic actually originate from farms that follow organic production methods.
committee is responsible for policy and programme development, the decision to certify the applicant farm as organic or not lies with the certification committee. The Department of Agriculture is the certification body. Inspection officer of the certification body carry out on-site visit to verify that the farm activities conform to the standards of the certification programme and prepares report which forms the basis for the certification decision. Although the certification is currently not mandatory, operators producing organic crops are encouraged to comply with these standards and apply for certification with the certification body. Based on SOM, its general principles of organic agriculture is holistic production management systems which promotes and enhance agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It emphasizes the use of good management practices by using off-farm inputs, taking into account that regional conditions require locally adapted systems. This is accomplished by using, where possible, cultural, biological and mechanical methods, as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfill any specific function within the systems. An organic production system is designed to: enhance biological diversity within the whole system; increase soil biological activity; maintain long-term soil fertility; recycle wastes of plant and animal origin in order to return nutrients to the land thus minimising the use of non-renewable resources; rely on renewable resources in locally organised agricultural systems; promote the healthy use of soil, water and air as well as minimise all forms of pollution thereto that may result from agricultural practices; handle agricultural products with emphasis on careful processing methods in order to maintain the organic integrity and vital qualities of the product at all stages; and become established on any existing farm through a period of conversion, the appropriate lenght of which is determined by site-specific factors such as the history of the land, and type of crops to be produced.
The basis for certification of SOM is based on compliance with a code of practice set by the national organic standards. The standards set out guidelines concerning production, wrapping, transportation and direct sale of the cultivated organic food crops. Among the conditions to be fulfilled in the scheme evaluation are: Suitability of planting site, Transition period from conventional to organic system of production, Pesticide residue and heavy metal, Crop buffer and buffer zone system, Soil fertility Management, Good water management, Use of seed and plant material,
Use of fertilizers, soil conditioners and pest and disease control materials, Management of weeds, pests and diseases, Wrapping, storage and transport of farm products, Direct sale of products, Record keeping.
The benefit for the farmer is that products which have been produced by a certified organic farm can be labelled as organic. The farmer is entitled to use the logo of Organik Malaysia on all his/her products. Labeled as such, the products can be marketed as organic products at a premium price. The benefit to consumer is the assurance that organic products purchased are truly organic and safe from undesirable chemical residues as they have been produced in compliance with the national organic standard. Meanwhile, the benefit to the environment and workers is, that as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are prohibited under organic farming, environmental pollution or incidental poisoning of farm workers are minimized.
iii. After three months, the trees start to flower and blossom. iv. By September, the trees are ready for harvest. Cost Reduce The gore problem of dokong can be solved and the trees start to bear fruits. Total output was 4,300kg with a selling price of RM 3.20 RM 3.50/kg. Total revenue was RM 14,120 compared to the cost of using natural farming inputs which amounted to RM 1015.00.
Picture 3 Spray activity of control mixture liquid using Power Sprayer or Knapsac Sprayer
Picture 2 After spread with IMO5, the cover is placed. Picture 4 Gore of the trees is dropping down after two weeks implementation.
Picture 6 The tree is starting producing its fruits Picture 5 The view of the Dokong tree trunk after the gore is falling.
Biodiversity for food security and variety development for crops suitable to an organic environment, Improvement and further development of integrated crop management systems and the use of low input technologies, soil and water conservation measures and environmentally good farm practices, Education on environment and sustainable agriculture.
CONCLUSION
Organic farming in its purist form is still a long way to go in Malaysia. Education, aggressive promotions together with research and development need to be intensified. Other forms of sustainable farming methods involving a combination of both organic and non-organic methodologies however, have shown more promise and could be further explored. Whatever methods promoted the objective of an ecologically sound, economically viable and socially acceptable farming system should be a priority. The Government needs to continuously provide the necessary institutional support to the farmers who wish to convert their farm to organic and sustainable production. For example, a combination of subsidy and loan can be made out to farmers to tie over the period of conversion before the converted farm becomes productive again. On average, it takes three years for a farm to be fully converted to the organic mode of production. The United Kingdom has in place a conversion subsidy to help farmers to exploit the opportunity of the organic food market and to restore ecological balance. The Government may also provide fiscal incentives for farms which utilize and recycle waste as input farming. For example, farms that produce their own compost and organic fertilizer will receive tax exemptions. Incentive and Fiscal program can be installed to encourage the setting up of Green Farm services such as organic fertilizer plant and recycling of waste. Awareness of food safety by the consumer and the importance of managing farms through Good Agricultural Practices by the producers together with a strong support from the Government will ensure the sustainability of the agriculture sector for the benefits of future generations.
REFERENCES
1. Sustainable Food Production, Income Generation and Consumer Protection in Malaysia, 1999. Agro-Chemicals News in Brief Special Issue. 2. Research and Development of Organic Crop Production in Malaysia, 2002. Aini Zakaria and Vimala P, MARDI, Kuala Lumpur. 3. Our Organic Farming Experience. Tan Siew Luang and Gurmit K.S., CETDEM Organic Farm, Malaysia. 4. Rural Community Development in Malaysia, 2004. By A.Rahman Abu Bakar. 5. Kaizen Application in the Agriculture Sector in Malaysia, 2004. By Fred Lew, NPC, Malaysia. 6. The World of Organic Agriculture Statistics & Emerging Trends 2006, International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). 7. Country Profile Malaysia Organic & Natural Products, 2007 International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO http://www.intracen.org/organics/Country-ProfileMalaysia.htm 8. Certified Organic Farms & Scheme Organic Malaysia (SOM), 2007 Department of Agriculture, Malaysia http://www.doa.gov.my/main 9. Malaysian Organic Scheme Department of Agriculture, Sarawak http://doa.sarawak.gov.my/som_e.htm 10. Centre for Environment, Technology and Development Malaysia (CETDEM) http://www.cetdem.org.my 11. Organic Alliance Malaysia http://www.organicmalaysia.com.my