Moving Towards Sustainable Agriculture Through Higher Education
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Farmer 7 Before, they used to water using a water mill powered by a mule, going
around with buckets, of water, filled up from the borehole. Nowadays, we use pumps.
There used to be water channels, made of stone around fields to transport water.
Speaking to conventional farmers, almost all of them were sceptical on organic
farming, especially about local organic farms. Some of the reasons why they are
unconvinced is the fact that given that the Maltese Islands are so small, it is rare to
find a field which is enough distance away from another field which may be sprayed.
The buffer zone was the most discussed issue of why they do not believe that it is
possible in Malta. Another issue which was raised is the loss of produce when one
converts to organic, hindering farmers from opting to venture into organic farming.
Even terraced fields may hinder farmers from considering organic farming as they
discussed how the chemicals in the soil may percolate down to other fields.
4.4 A Sustainable Farming Future
Farmers had a lot to say about a sustainable farming future. When asked what
they understand by sustainable farming, most delved into aspects of the farmers’
wellbeing, financial stability and also enhancement of the environment, which they
depend on.
Farmer 6 Sustainable agriculture means that one grows produce which is viable
and provides a living for the future and the present. It is important that one does not
grow any crop, thinking that it may or may not produce. Nowadays, you cannot do
that. The expenses are huge, so one has to be careful which produce one chooses to
grow and how.
Most of the farmers were not so optimistic about farming in Malta, especially as
a full-time job. The number of full-time farmers has been on the decline, along with
the number of young farmers. Farmers commented about the fact that lately a number
of fields are being bought or used for recreational purposes rather than for farming
as such. It could be that due to an increase in part-time farmers and a decrease in
full-time farmers, farming is being seen as more of a pastime rather than a full-time
job.
Farmer 3 The future of agriculture in Malta, if I take you around in fields, you could
see fields with rooms in it, not store rooms, but with a BBQ, that is the future I am
seeing. Maybe I am being pessimistic, but…
Encouraging young farmers is the key for guaranteeing a future for this industry in
Malta. The government is helping by providing subsidies and helping farmers invest
in this industry through European Union funding. The question is: Is it enough to
encourage the younger generation to take on farming as a full-time job? University
courses and training workshops may be a step in the right direction, attracting the
13
Farmer 7 Before, they used to water using a water mill powered by a mule, going
around with buckets, of water, filled up from the borehole. Nowadays, we use pumps.
There used to be water channels, made of stone around fields to transport water.
Speaking to conventional farmers, almost all of them were sceptical on organic
farming, especially about local organic farms. Some of the reasons why they are
unconvinced is the fact that given that the Maltese Islands are so small, it is rare to
find a field which is enough distance away from another field which may be sprayed.
The buffer zone was the most discussed issue of why they do not believe that it is
possible in Malta. Another issue which was raised is the loss of produce when one
converts to organic, hindering farmers from opting to venture into organic farming.
Even terraced fields may hinder farmers from considering organic farming as they
discussed how the chemicals in the soil may percolate down to other fields.
4.4 A Sustainable Farming Future
Farmers had a lot to say about a sustainable farming future. When asked what
they understand by sustainable farming, most delved into aspects of the farmers’
wellbeing, financial stability and also enhancement of the environment, which they
depend on.
Farmer 6 Sustainable agriculture means that one grows produce which is viable
and provides a living for the future and the present. It is important that one does not
grow any crop, thinking that it may or may not produce. Nowadays, you cannot do
that. The expenses are huge, so one has to be careful which produce one chooses to
grow and how.
Most of the farmers were not so optimistic about farming in Malta, especially as
a full-time job. The number of full-time farmers has been on the decline, along with
the number of young farmers. Farmers commented about the fact that lately a number
of fields are being bought or used for recreational purposes rather than for farming
as such. It could be that due to an increase in part-time farmers and a decrease in
full-time farmers, farming is being seen as more of a pastime rather than a full-time
job.
Farmer 3 The future of agriculture in Malta, if I take you around in fields, you could
see fields with rooms in it, not store rooms, but with a BBQ, that is the future I am
seeing. Maybe I am being pessimistic, but…
Encouraging young farmers is the key for guaranteeing a future for this industry in
Malta. The government is helping by providing subsidies and helping farmers invest
in this industry through European Union funding. The question is: Is it enough to
encourage the younger generation to take on farming as a full-time job? University
courses and training workshops may be a step in the right direction, attracting the