The human race is a very complicated bunch. Corporations, multi-nationals and people from all walks of life have a lot to say when it comes to organics, greening of the planet and being sustainable.

No matter if it's a corporate or an individual everyone is trying to be "greener" than his or her neighbour or competitor. This results in some very surprising ideas that have been floated out in the media. Two have caught my attention recently.

That organic farming uses too much water! This must have come from one of the multi-national chemical companies. Does this mean we should stop all organic farming and switch to GMO's and synthetic chemicals? All farming does better with water. Organic and chemically enhanced farming can be done under irrigation or on dry land - depending on the crop. Lack of water is a universal problem and conserving it should be our top priority. Farming organically does not do harm to the environment. Its all about healthy soil = healthy plant = healthy human. It's the chemicals that that deplete the soils of essential nutrients, and then more chemicals are needed to balance the soils and soon farmers are addicted to all the chemical solutions. Where do all the chemicals go? They end up in our fragile water systems.

The debate is not about organic against chemical when it comes to water conservation. It's about embracing new "off-the-shelf" technologies, such as irrigation systems that feed just the right amount of water directly to the roots of the plants that must be incorporated into our farming practises. When a farmer or gardener sprays water above ground, more than 70% is lost in the wind and through evaporation. When it rains and there is an abundance of water, this same Israeli-designed system sucks up the excess water and stores it. So enjoy your chemical free organically grown produce and let technology take care of managing the water.

The second debate is about Airmiles. Now we are seeing articles that state that Airmiles offset all the environmental good that organic farming generates. In an ideal world we would all support our local farmers. Love Local is a perfect concept. In reality how many people will go without fruit and vegetables when they are out of season? How many European or North American retailers will have empty shelves in the middle of their winters? The short answer is none.

So, do we stop air-freighting organics because we are now worried about Airmiles? That means we will only eat fresh produce from the agro-chemical farmers. How crazy is that?

We have to support all those organic and fairtrade farmers who have given up their dependency on chemicals, who are using bio-pest controls, and are hand picking versus fossil fuel mechanisation, enriching poor soil with vermin-liquids (from wormeries) instead of nitrate fertilisers, and finally reversing soil erosion caused by synthetic chemicals. These organic farmers are the only ones being monitored on a monthly basis by independent internationally recognised certifiers to keep their official organic certification.

So let's not punish all those dedicated third world organic farmers who are actually making a difference and creating new jobs. When the northern hemisphere wants organic produce in their winter months, or in fact, whenever they want certified organic fresh produce let them have it. Their hard-earned money is supporting sustainable, environmentally friendly farming practises.

From now forward let's talk about Fairmiles and not Airmiles

David Wolstenholme
Managing Director of the Organic Freedom Project
Director of the Natural & Organic Products Exhibition