The soil as we know is very important to all living matter on earth. But it is slowly phasing off due to climate change. Its time for farmers to take a stand and make a change, but how can these changes be addressed? What can farmers do to withstand such climatic issues? Organic farming is the way to go as mentioned by one of POETCom's very own Stephen.
Niue has yet again been privileged with another exciting opportunity to learn about soil resilience to address the issues of climate change. Thanking the Niue Organic Farming Association (NIOFA) team for making this possible.
Its all fun and games when applying various amount of fertilizers to the soil as it sure does help with the nutrient deficiency for the time being. But in the long run the soil soon then slowly wears out and cannot withstand any longer. That's where organic farming plays an important role in rejuvenating these lost nutrients in the soil.
Various organic methods can be used to help maintain these nutrients in the soil and these methods include; composting, mulching of plants, green waste managements and so forth. And the good thing about these methods is that they are readily available to everyone. The only down-side to such methods is the determination of the farmer to continue with the management practices.
At the moment there are only forty-eight certified organic farming areas here in Niue to date, but mainly occupied by Vanilla plantation, according to Alana Tukuniu (NIOFA's Certification Manager).
An initiative was presented by Mr. Hazleman saying that Niuean farmers should look at growing crops in these certified organic areas. A crop example was looking into growing wild ginger as it is considered a high demand spice usage for chefs around the world nowadays.
Stephen and colleague Dr. Shane set out with the workshop participants to do some soil sampling around each of the farmers to analyse soil pH, soil organisms present and other excitements in regards to proper soil management practices for farmers to take note.
It was also fortunate for the Senior students from Niue High School undertaking chemistry to observe and perform with Dr. Shane and Stephen with soil sampling trials. Each of these soil samples will be taken overseas to get analysed for the different nutrients present from each of the farms visited.
Everything is done at the moment, the samples taken from the farm areas are now being prepared to standard for scientific analysis overseas. Thanks again Stephen, Dr Shane and POETCom for this opportunity for Niue, not forgetting NIOFA for organizing.
Blogpost by Tom-Vaitolo Vaha, Livestock Officer,
It was also fortunate for the Senior students from Niue High School undertaking chemistry to observe and perform with Dr. Shane and Stephen with soil sampling trials. Each of these soil samples will be taken overseas to get analysed for the different nutrients present from each of the farms visited.
Everything is done at the moment, the samples taken from the farm areas are now being prepared to standard for scientific analysis overseas. Thanks again Stephen, Dr Shane and POETCom for this opportunity for Niue, not forgetting NIOFA for organizing.
Photo Credit: Natasha Toeono-Tohovaka
Blogpost by Tom-Vaitolo Vaha, Livestock Officer,
Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.
