Organic body urges Government to train people to grow their own food

THE Government was urged yesterday to train people to grow their own food.

It was one of the energy saving measures recommended by the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA) in a pre-budget proposal to the Departments of Finance and Agriculture.

The body is calling for a national strategy to address the dual issues of food security and climate change.

IOFGA chairperson Kate Carmody said the current dependence on food production using nitrogen, the manufacture of which accounts for an incredibly high consumption of both energy and water, is not a sustainable option for the future.

“At the same time agriculture, like every other economic sector, must cut its considerable greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80%. These changes must be achieved without a loss in food productivity and we see the organic approach as an important part of the solution,” he said.

IOFGA said it wants to see the establishment of a standardised scheme for calculating energy efficiency in agriculture. It suggested that an initial two-year €5 million research programme, administered by IOFGA and funded principally by the Research Fund Stimulus Programme, would highlight the inputs and outputs of organic farming compared with conventional methods.

A further €5m is sought to establish a conversion support organisation to offer advice and training to farmers during the period of conversion to organic methods.

IOFGA said it would also like to see a separate Organic Agency introduced to oversee development and growth of the sector.

“A single organic agency with its own budget is the most effective way to achieve the Government’s 5% target of land certified as organic by 2012 which was set in the Programme for Government in 2007.

“We are calling for a fund of €4m to be allocated for the development of such an organisation,” Ms Carmody said.

The Irish organic market is projected to grow to €400 million by 2012. Currently up to 70% of organic products sold in this country are imported.

IOFGA said it would like to see this situation reversed by 2012, with Irish producers satisfying at least 80% of domestic demand. It sees the education of consumers as an important part of the development of the sector.

“We need to encourage people towards supporting local organic food production systems that do not have a negative impact on the environment.

“Our proposals will help mitigate the effects of climate change and save the taxpayer money by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels in food production.”