Jamaican Government Spends More on Organic Agriculture Than US?

[nosmokes]

great news for jamaica mon, sure, but pretty shameful for america, no?
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original

Jamaican Government Spends More on Organic Agriculture Than US?

Organic Farming Contributes To Economic Development -

Bodles Research Director


KINGSTON, (JIS): BY: NATASHA CLARKE

Thursday, December 01, 2005

The Ministry of Agriculture has given its support to the development of the local organic agriculture sector through an investment of $20 million in the
National Organic Agriculture Enhancement Project (NOAEP).

The funds will assist with the development of a national policy on organic agriculture, international and local organic certification, as well as research and development.

Speaking with JIS News, Principal Research Director at Bodles, Dr. Joseph Lindsay says, "The Ministry is drafting a policy document and supporting legislation for the organic agriculture sector". He adds that the Ministry has taken on the responsibility to promote, supervise and monitor the development of organic agriculture as an alternative to conventional agricultural methods.

Explaining the difference between conventional and organic methods of farming, Dr. Lindsay points out, "natural farming and organic farming are not the same. Organic farming is certified, and certified that it has been done in a certain way." He notes that certified organic inspectors state that a product is, "organic because it was produced against a certain standard, following certain steps, including record keeping, to facilitate auditing".

"Conventional agriculture uses traditional fertilizers and pesticides. Traditional farming is not concerned with long term ill-effects or long term sustainable benefits," Dr. Lindsay says.
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complete article
here

[mechanical mandible]

1. I wonder if they count pot as organic agriculture?!?

[sasquatch]

2. That was my first thought too

:smoke: