Forget the chemical experiments MAF - wake up and smell the humus

4 May 2007
Media release

Parties with vested interests in the fertiliser industry will be rubbing their hands
together at MAF's draft options for tackling the crisis threatening sustainable farming.
With rising nitrate levels already poisoning our soils, MAF is considering investing in
conventional fertiliser technology to address the meltdown. The solution, according to
biological agriculture proponents BioAgNz, is far simpler and right in front of our
eyes.

BioAgNZ today calls on MAF to wake up to the "win-win" benefits of biological
farming methods that enrich soil nutrients and increase profits for farmers.
The call comes in response to MAF's consultation document on Sustainable Land
Management and Climate Change options.

"While we commend MAF for this policy initiative, they have failed to recognise that
sustainable land management solutions are already being applied by farmers and
growers involved with biological agriculture," says Phyllis Tichinin, founder of
BioAgNZ.

Biological agriculture is a mix of conventional and organic farming practices involving
careful crop and soil monitoring to ensure optimum yields, nutritional density and
humus production. It focuses on re-establishing mineral balance and enhancing
beneficial microbiology in the soil.

Pioneering farmers in New Zealand and around the world have increased profitably
and enriched soils through rethinking the ‘chemical warfare' appoach to farming and
trialling biological farming. BioAgNZ argues that government funding should be
directed towards helping more farmers explore the benefits of biological agriculture,
rather than investing in conventional fertiliser technology that has already failed us.

"Conventional fertilisers and pesticides have degraded New Zealand soils and
affected both livestock health and produce quality. This ‘chemical culture' has also
led to higher carbon emissions, drench resistance, erosion and poor water quality,"
says Phyllis Tichinin.

"Profit is dropping as animal health costs soar and soils become harder to work.
Seventy percent of dairy farmers lost money last year, we have increasing rates of
fetiliser application for declining yields of questionable quality and pastoral farmers
are struggling. Our squash, apples and kiwifruit markets are tellling us our produce
lacks flavour and doesn't store well.

"Agricultural science has been directed over the last 50 years by the narrow
spectrum chemical fertiliser agenda. We have forgotten the basic sciences of
biology, chemistry and physics as they apply to soil. We are in a downward spiral
and a very different approach is needed.

"It all has to do with the way we are feeding our soils. Re-establish humus levels
through broad spectrum fertilisation practices that are microbiology friendly, and the
whole system comes right with greater productivity, fewer emissions, more carbon
sequestering and better profits. This is happening already on the ground on farms in
New Zealand.

"Biological and organic farming is booming around the world and is being
enthusiastically embraced by farmers and growers around New Zealand. It is
increasing yields and significantly decreasing animal health costs. What is needed
here is a return to basic soil education for farmers. Empower farmers with
understanding of the basic sciences behind soil function."

BioAgNZ also suggests the Government could create a tax credit for humus creation
as part of its commitment to address climate change.

"Humus creation and plant nutrient density as indicated by brix are the most potent
indicators that the soil system is balanced and sequestering carbon," said Phyllis
Tichinin.

"New Zealand has a tremendous business opportunity to provide nutritionally dense,
tasty, long-storing, pesticide-free produce for a discerning world market that is happy
to pay a premium and ignore food mile implications if the product is truly excellent.
"This result is being achieved by biological farming and depends on improving soil
microbe and humus levels. Tax credits for using bio friendly fertilisers would back up
the ‘clean green' rhetoric with real incentives for farmers to re-establish soil biology
and fertility."

ENDS