Organic Durian Farming

Malaysian Organic Certification Scheme

Skim Organik Malaysia (SOM)

		A certification scheme drawn up by Malaysian Department of Agriculture to recognize farms that practice organic farming based on Malaysian Standard MS 1529:2001 The Production, Processing, Labelling & Marketing of Plant Based Organically Produced Food.

 The Malaysian Organic Certification Scheme  is a tool in the Techno Agricultural Extension System of the Department of Agriculture Malaysia. This organic scheme is to be practised by farmers in carrying out farm activities to produce better quality organic products that are safe to eat.

Some of the advantages of organic farming are:

• Producing agricultural products of assured quality and safe to eat;
• Ensuring that the environment is preserved;
• Ensuring the safety and welfare of farm workers and employees;
• Developing and maintaining sustainable agriculture and
• Producing organic products that are able to compete in domestic and international markets.

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Organic Durian Farming In Malaysia

Here is an interview conducted by Astro AEC on an organic durian farm in Karak, Pahang, Malaysia. The owner is Mr. Ng Swee Pen and he is a participant in the Skim Organik Malaysia. The video is in Mandarin...

Karak Organic Durian Farm. Click to watch the video

Lindsay Gasik from the Year of The Durian. com. has written a very informative article about this same certified organic durian farm in Karak.....

Karak Organic Durian Farm - click to read article

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 Lindsay has also two great write-ups about organic durian farms on Penang Island..

Eco-Farm Organic Durian Orchard - click to read article

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Green Acres Eco-Retreat, Penang

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US Cooperative Extension Service

  What is Organic Farming?

Organic farming refers to ecologically-based production systems used to produce food and fiber. Organic farming may be most widely known for what it is not; however, it is more important to define organic farming by what it is.  

Organic farming can be defined by the proactive, ecological management strategies that maintain and enhance soil fertility, prevent soil erosion, promote and enhance biological diversity, and minimize risk to human and animal health and natural resources. Many kinds of farm products are produced organically including vegetables, fruit, herbs, grains, meat, dairy, eggs, fibers, and flowers.

When consumers buy Certified Organic farm products, they can be certain that they are supporting farmers who take their stewardship roles so seriously that they have voluntarily accepted strict Federally-regulated standards.

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 Canada - Organic Farming

 

Defining “Organic”

Organic farming is a method of crop and livestock production that involves much more than choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics and growth hormones.
Organic production is a holistic system designed to optimize the productivity and fitness of diverse communities within the agro-ecosystem, including soil organisms, plants, livestock and people. The principal goal of organic production is to develop enterprises that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment.

The general principles of organic production, from the Canadian Organic Standards (2006), include the following:

• protect the environment, minimize soil degradation and erosion, decrease pollution, optimize biological productivity and promote a sound state of health
• maintain long-term soil fertility by optimizing conditions for biological activity within the soil
• maintain biological diversity within the system
• recycle materials and resources to the greatest extent possible within the enterprise
• provide attentive care that promotes the health and meets the behavioural needs of livestock
• prepare organic products, emphasizing careful processing, and handling methods in order to maintain the organic integrity and vital qualities of the products at all stages of production
• rely on renewable resources in locally organized agricultural systems

Organic farming promotes the use of crop rotations and cover crops, and encourages balanced host/predator relationships. Organic residues and nutrients produced on the farm are recycled back to the soil. Cover crops and composted manure are used to maintain soil organic matter and fertility. Preventative insect and disease control methods are practiced, including crop rotation, improved genetics and resistant varieties. Integrated pest and weed management, and soil conservation systems are valuable tools on an organic farm. Organically approved pesticides include “natural” or other pest management products included in the Permitted Substances List (PSL) of the organic standards. The Permitted Substances List identifies substances permitted for use as a pesticides in organic agriculture. All grains, forages and protein supplements fed to livestock must be organically grown.

The organic standards generally prohibit products of genetic engineering and animal cloning, synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, synthetic drugs, synthetic food processing aids and ingredients, and ionizing radiation. Prohibited products and practices must not be used on certified organic farms for at least three years prior to harvest of the certified organic products. Livestock must be raised organically and fed 100 per cent organic feed ingredients.

Organic farming presents many challenges. Some crops are more challenging than others to grow organically; however, nearly every commodity can be produced organically.

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