14
J. Zahra and M. C. Mifsud
younger generations to specialise in farming practices. Promoting training courses
and offering initiatives for the middle aged and older generation of farmers, may
also help boost the local agricultural sector and help them understand the importance
of adopting new sustainable farming techniques, showing them, through first-hand
experiences, that such methods are affective.
Through these interviews conducted with farmers, one could not help but notice
that each of them mentioned various eco-friendly sustainable methods which they use
in order to make conventional and organic farming more sustainable. Such methods
mentioned by farmers include the use of flowers to detect any diseases, use of bees
for pollination, use of mulching, crop rotation, natural sprays used on plants as a
prevention and the most common one, the manual pick up of weeds rather than using
herbicides.
One of the common things between conventional farmers and organic farmers is
the use of sulphur and copper sulphate, which are both natural chemicals used as
fungicides. These have been used for years and are still commonly used by both
sectors of farmers.
Farmer 8 We use a lot of methods which were used by our ancestors. We use the
same methods as them. We make use of sulphur (kubrit) and copper sulphate (kupru),
the method used before chemical pesticides were used in Malta.
Farmers had a lot to offer with regards to suggestions in order to improve their
practice or even make farming more sustainable in the long run. They suggested for
better rain-water cathcement projects in valleys, just competition, more marketing of
local produce, the use of organic matter collected in households which may be used
in fields and most importantly, better labelling, packaging, grading and traceability
of local produce.
4.5 Education for Sustainable Development and Farming
Most of the farmers acknowledged the fact that various courses are provided. Using
the principles of ESD during such training courses, would help farmers embrace
the principles of sustainable farming practices, along with their current good practices. Engaging farmers in decision making, will also help them in embracing such
decisions and implementing them within their line of work. A sustainable farming
future may guarantee the continuation of this primary industry, seeking means of
improving it, making it more profitable, seeking means of reducing the impact on
the environment and guaranteeing the well-being of farmers.
Farmers feel that often, within society in general, they are looked down at. They
feel their work is not appreciated enough. Sustainable Development is not only about
promoting the care of the environment, but also helping in the well-being and social
aspects, in this case of farmers. Empowering farmers is a need. To feel appreciated
and trusted in your line of work will encourage one to work even harder.
J. Zahra and M. C. Mifsud
younger generations to specialise in farming practices. Promoting training courses
and offering initiatives for the middle aged and older generation of farmers, may
also help boost the local agricultural sector and help them understand the importance
of adopting new sustainable farming techniques, showing them, through first-hand
experiences, that such methods are affective.
Through these interviews conducted with farmers, one could not help but notice
that each of them mentioned various eco-friendly sustainable methods which they use
in order to make conventional and organic farming more sustainable. Such methods
mentioned by farmers include the use of flowers to detect any diseases, use of bees
for pollination, use of mulching, crop rotation, natural sprays used on plants as a
prevention and the most common one, the manual pick up of weeds rather than using
herbicides.
One of the common things between conventional farmers and organic farmers is
the use of sulphur and copper sulphate, which are both natural chemicals used as
fungicides. These have been used for years and are still commonly used by both
sectors of farmers.
Farmer 8 We use a lot of methods which were used by our ancestors. We use the
same methods as them. We make use of sulphur (kubrit) and copper sulphate (kupru),
the method used before chemical pesticides were used in Malta.
Farmers had a lot to offer with regards to suggestions in order to improve their
practice or even make farming more sustainable in the long run. They suggested for
better rain-water cathcement projects in valleys, just competition, more marketing of
local produce, the use of organic matter collected in households which may be used
in fields and most importantly, better labelling, packaging, grading and traceability
of local produce.
4.5 Education for Sustainable Development and Farming
Most of the farmers acknowledged the fact that various courses are provided. Using
the principles of ESD during such training courses, would help farmers embrace
the principles of sustainable farming practices, along with their current good practices. Engaging farmers in decision making, will also help them in embracing such
decisions and implementing them within their line of work. A sustainable farming
future may guarantee the continuation of this primary industry, seeking means of
improving it, making it more profitable, seeking means of reducing the impact on
the environment and guaranteeing the well-being of farmers.
Farmers feel that often, within society in general, they are looked down at. They
feel their work is not appreciated enough. Sustainable Development is not only about
promoting the care of the environment, but also helping in the well-being and social
aspects, in this case of farmers. Empowering farmers is a need. To feel appreciated
and trusted in your line of work will encourage one to work even harder.