Fri, 19/02/2010 – Jude Fanton
In the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia we interviewed an immigrant agricultural labourer, Mahmoud Rahid, from Bangladesh about the difference between local organic and conventional growing methods. He described he often had to spray conventional crops with what he called “medicine”, but he also did not like how organics are grown with so much plastic.
Mahmoud spoke with us as he sprayed glyphosate weedicide along pathways of the guesthouse where he works. Mahmoud gave us insights into the pros and cons of organics and conventional growing. He has been in Malaysia nine years, six in the cauliflower fields, the last three as a guesthouse gardener.
IMAGE: Mahmoud with his spray equipment
Mahmoud says that, while it is lower in yield, organic produce tastes better than “medicine” (chemical) produce.
However it is not all good news with organics. Farmers lay wide strips of black plastic on the ground to control both weeds and pests. First they shallowly dig in the manure and then water it in, spread out the long rows of black plastic, punch holes into it and transplant the seedlings. The plastic hugging the soil cuts down on the incidence of weeds by stifling any growth between plants and reduces attack from pests because they do not like such an artificial environment.
It seems a huge pity to use single-use black plastic that becomes a big waste problem after the crop; not to mention the great loss of soil biota from soil-baking.
IMAGE: Centre right: bok choy growing in black plastic, polytunnels in background
Mahmoud’s dream is to return to Bangladesh to find a wife. Presently his wage is USD10 per day for ten hours work, and he works seven days a week.
Organics Use Massive Amount of Plastic
-
Seed Savers Open Garden Day Attracts 400 Visitors
otorongo, , Seed Blog Archives, 0
Tue, 16/10/2012 – Michel Fanton Thirteen tour groups of 30 to 50 people experienced our fourteen year old one-acre...
-
Permaculture? It does not cost the earth!
otorongo, , Seed Blog Archives, 0
Sat, 25/04/2009 – Michel Fanton The Seed Savers’ Network has its roots firmly planted in the Permaculture movement. Its...
-
Eat Your Weeds
otorongo, , Seed Blog Archives, 0
Fri, 20/03/2009 – Jude Fanton Westerners tend to look to the garden as their only source of fresh and...
-
Film Clips from Woodford Festival 2010
otorongo, , Seed Blog Archives, 0
Mon, 08/08/2011 – Jude Fanton Watch two film clips taken at the December 2010 Woodford Folk Festival in Australia....
-
Papua New Guinea tales
otorongo, , Seed Blog Archives, 0
Sun, 08/03/2009 – Michel Fanton Here we are in Port Moresby promoting “Our Seeds: Seeds Blong Yumi” documentary and...
-
Film on Seeds Available for Film Nights
otorongo, , Seed Blog Archives, 0
Mon, 09/03/2009 – Michel Fanton At times it was a real challenge shooting this one hour documentary on the...
-
Seed to Seed Keynote at Community Gardens Gathering
otorongo, , Seed Blog Archives, 0
Fri, 28/09/2012 – Jude Fanton On Friday 12th October Michel and Jude Fanton will make a keynote presentation on...
-
Seed Savers' Handbook published in Italian
otorongo, , Seed Blog Archives, 0
Thu, 07/03/2013 – Jude Fanton The Seed Savers’ Handbook, our classic guide to how to save seeds, and much...