Sri Lanka’s move towards organic fertilizer hailed by German-based global biodynamic movement
Sri Lanka’s push towards 100% organic agriculture has reportedly been hailed by Germany-based Biodynamic Federation Demeter International, which represents the biodynamic farming movement with 45 member organisations in 36 countries including in Asia.
The General Secretary of the Federation, Christoph Simpfendorfer in a letter to Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has reportedly expressed the Federation’s deepest congratulations for the creation of a green socio-economy with sustainable solutions for climate changes in Sri Lanka and has extended its utmost support.
He has stated that the Presidential Task Force is a great asset and an example to follow in the preservation of the planet and health for generations to come.
“With the pending climate crisis, strong political decisions are needed, and the task force paves the way forward in the transition towards more sustainability. We particularly support the transition from chemical farming to natural farming by using organic fertilisers and products instead of pesticides, chemical fertilisers, and herbicides that harm our environment,” Simpfendorfer has stated in his letter.
According to reports, the Biodynamic Federation Demeter International is the only organic association that has built up a network of individual certification for biodynamic farming worldwide.
Demeter is the brand for products from biodynamic agriculture and only strictly controlled and contractually bound partners are permitted to use the brand. Its basis is the biodynamic agriculture method, originated by Rudolf Steiner in his ‘Agriculture Course’ given in Koberwitz in 1924, and developed further in practice and research, local media reports stated.
According to Simpfendorfer, the Covid-19 crisis has shown how important it is for agricultural systems not to depend on external inputs. The perspective of a circular economy is particularly important here when it comes to farming.
“Organic and biodynamic farming increases the resilience of farming, not only by making agriculture more sustainable but also by fostering its economic resilience and viability,” he has stated adding that the multiplication of the Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) shows the development and the positive assets of organic farming worldwide. Recently, a PGS was even launched in the Philippines as part of its national organic regulations.
“Therefore, the Federation can only encourage you to pursue this transition and emphasise the positive role organic and biodynamic farming play,” the letter to the President has further stated.
The letter added that the Federation and its members fully encourage and support the Presidential Task Force “for the creation of a green socio-economy with sustainable solutions for climate change” as it is the viable way forward for a sustainable future.
“We are ready to provide any assistance you might need through advice, training, or capacity-building to help you achieve the overarching goal of sustainability and stand entirely at your disposal,” the Federation’s General Secretary has assured the President.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s policy decision to move towards organic agriculture while being hailed by the international community has also opened new business/investment opportunities in the country’s agriculture sector. Sri Lankan authorities are focused on upgrading and developing the country’s agriculture sector through good agriculture practices. The country is also targeting self sufficiency in food commodities. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/05072021/Z_5 |