Contact: Jean Perry
Ireland must be a P.R. man's dream in a Europe that is craving for organic food and a 'green' environment for holiday and leisure pursuits. This country has always had a 'green' image and it seems an obvious base from which to build on. Our immediate neighbour, the U.K., sells over £5,000,000 worth of organic produce per week, 75% of which is imported. Taking a serious overall look at Agriculture I cannot see any other area where there is more potential for growth.
The knock-on effects would also be beneficial to the community as a whole. For instance, an emphasis on low input and organic agriculture and horticulture would mean a necessary return of people to rural communities. Employment would be generated and local economies would be boosted.
With the re-education of skills and husbandry techniques people would have a greater understanding and therefore more responsibility for their environment, further enhancing Ireland's green image to the benefit of our tourism industry.
I am an experienced organic grower, successfully combining tourism and growing on a small acreage to make my living. I would be happy to show anyone my set-up.
I realize that most farmers will take some convincing about low input and organic production methods. I was brought up upon a conventional farm, and went to Agricultural college myself. But economically organic production makes sense. I live in a farming community and see the real problems farmers and their families are facing - trying to keep up with conventional practices designed for bigger farms.
If we are to stop the urbanisation of rural communities and keep farmers on the land, some drastic measures have to be taken. Now is the time to bite the organic bullet!
The potential is obvious and enormous.