Page 21 - Issue 69 Online

MANEA MATTERS
MANEA MATTERS
packing unit is involved in the packaging of the
organic produce, they also have to attain their
own certification in the same way. This ensures
that there is a clear traceability in our organic
production from the growing of the plants right
through to delivery to the customer.
Organic crops are more
expensive to produce as
the weeding is very labour Organic farming methods have been shown to:-
intensive and yields are • reduce pollution as there are less
half those achieved by greenhouse gas emissions due to the
conventional farming. restriction of use of manufactured fertilisers

• conserve water due to building up the soil's
As mentioned in previous articles, we farm our organic matter, which helps the soil to absorb
own land as well as renting in land to allow us and retain water
to continue growing leeks in a suitable crop • reduce soil erosion due to water retention
rotation. With organics we are now in year two and less use of mechanised equipment
of the conversion process of one of our larger
fields from conventional land to organic land. • increase soil fertility by increasing soil
We appreciate the ethos of natural farming and organic carbon
have decided to convert some of our own land • use less fossil fuel energy due to the
for organic growing. The conversion process processes involved in organic farming
takes a minimum of two
years for all remnants of • be better for nearby birds and animals
chemicals to leave the as there are no pesticides that may be
soil before the land can detrimental to wildlife and beneficial insects
be considered certified are attracted to the area
organic. Our intention is Throughout our business we are committed
to convert further fields to making improvements in our operations,
in the future. to farm sustainably and provide cost efficient
Organic crops are more products for our customers. The business
expensive to produce continues to evolve, which requires continual
as the weeding is training and keeping up to date with new
very labour intensive processes and methods. Organic farming is
and yields are half very much part of this evolution and many
those achieved by organic methods are now being adopted in our
conventional farming. conventional farming.
But organic farming We all look forward to farming for a sustainable
has healthier balanced future.
soils and is better for
the environment.

DEADLINE for Issue 70 – Friday 20 August 2021 PAGE 21
th