Thread: The "greening" of Panama?

http://www.miamiherald.com/business/story/740715.html

That is a very interesting article. I think people start to take more and more interest in organic products as awareness about the heath damage in treated products and environmental problems started to be a everyday subject. it t only makes sense that more and more farmers will take on this new (or rather old) way of farming.
That's one thing I don't understand thou... it says there they save money on gas since they don't use tractors... what that has to do with organic farming? I didn't know it means not using those?

I think the article said they can't use tractors because of the extremely steep slopes and the fact that they're plowing the furrows horizontally across the slopes. A tractor would tip over in that situation. The point of plowing horizontally would be to reduce run-off. Much like the terraced rice fields in some parts of China and the Himalayas.

Nice article. Organic farming should be encouraged. Exposure to farm chemicals are damaging the health of our children and is poisoning the environment. Back home in Australia, I hardly ever buy anything other than organic as far as Eggs, Vegetables and Fruits are concerned. They are a little bit expensive, but who cares?

Originally Posted by ford007

They are a little bit expensive, but who cares?

That's something I never understood. If you don't use chemicals and man/made fertilizers etc... shouldn't be less expensive? I imagine to some degree their crop is less productive but their expenses is also lower, so the price should be if not lower, then at least equal?

Originally Posted by crisella74

That's something I never understood. If you don't use chemicals and man/made fertilizers etc... shouldn't be less expensive? I imagine to some degree their crop is less productive but their expenses is also lower, so the price should be if not lower, then at least equal?

Well... it is not as simple as it looks. Trust me, as I am from a rural area and a little bit more experienced on these issues. It is true that you don't have to spend all your money on fertilizers and pesticides. But the thing is that, the yield will be considerably lower and so you will be getting (quantity wise) less from your plot of land compared to the "normal" farms. Sometimes they lose quite considerable portion of their crops to pest attacks and locusts. My cousin owns an organic poultry farm. He sells eggs and meat, at a slightly higher price compared to his non-organic neighbours. But believe me, the meat is twice as tasty as the other brands. And one more thing.... You may have noticed that the eggs we get from the "normal" farms are having very thin shell. But those eggs we get from organic farms will be having a thicker shell.... one of the ways to distinguish organic produce.. LOL....

Yes, the products are far better. I remember when I was a child my grandmother has a house with some land in the countryside and we use to go there on holidays. They also had chickens and a cow so we were getting fresh diary, eggs and vegetables from them. I can still remember how GOOD the food tasted and it's been a long time since then. Her recipes were very simple but the quality of the ingredients, all natural, made the food absolutely to die for. I still miss it.

Originally Posted by crisella74

Yes, the products are far better. I remember when I was a child my grandmother has a house with some land in the countryside and we use to go there on holidays. They also had chickens and a cow so we were getting fresh diary, eggs and vegetables from them. I can still remember how GOOD the food tasted and it's been a long time since then. Her recipes were very simple but the quality of the ingredients, all natural, made the food absolutely to die for. I still miss it.

Hmmm... My parents were dairy farmers. We moved to Australia from South Africa during the 90s. Not much change.... My parents are still in to farming... Climate and geography is similar...

Small world My husband is currently in South Africa with some business. We were considering moving there for a while if business was good. It's such a beautiful country.

Originally Posted by crisella74

Small world My husband is currently in South Africa with some business. We were considering moving there for a while if business was good. It's such a beautiful country.

Hmm... We moved out of South Africa due to the high crime rate. The country is very beautiful.. especially the Velds and mountains... But the rocketing crime rate is a big big problem... Moved to Australia when I was 6.. so don't miss SA that much..