Feed the People... Organically

The concept of sustainability is taking root in Hawaii as citizens and government officials awaken to the benefits of self-sufficiency. Growing food organically is both a “natural” step toward sustainability and a profound opportunity to cut our dependence on fossil fuels, shipping, and agricultural chemicals.

Corporate agribusinesses have long argued that farming without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers produces low yields; they maintain that chemicals and genetic engineering are necessary for production of food on a large scale. However, research published in July, 2007 shows that worldwide, organic farming can compete with standard agricultural methods.

Researchers at the University of Michigan analyzed several published studies on the yields of organic farming, reviewing 293 samples. Their report, published in the Cambridge University Press journal Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems states that “Model estimates indicate that organic methods could produce enough food on a global per capita basis to sustain the current human population, and potentially an even larger population, without increasing the agricultural land base.” They went on to say, “Data from temperate and tropical agro ecosystems suggest that leguminous cover crops could fix enough nitrogen to replace the amount of synthetic fertilizer currently in use. These results indicate that organic agriculture has the potential to contribute quite substantially to the global food supply, while reducing the detrimental environmental impacts of conventional agriculture."

Ivette Perfecto, a professor at the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment, said in a statement, "My hope is that we can finally put a nail in the coffin of the idea that you can't produce enough food through organic agriculture." She added that "Corporate interest in agriculture and the way agriculture research has been conducted . . . with a lot of influence by the chemical companies and pesticide companies as well as fertilizer companies, all have been playing an important role in convincing the public that you need to have these inputs to produce food.”

What you can do:

• Consumers vote with their dollars, so cast your vote for organic farming and a cleaner, safer environment every time you shop. By buying local, organically grown products, you will be supporting Hawaii’s own organic growers and retailers, and helping our islands move toward sustainability.
• Visit the Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA) at their website: www.hawaiiorganicfarmers.org or phone them at (808) 969-7789 to learn about issues and opportunities. Get involved in helping to spread the good word for organic agriculture in Hawaii.