TreeKenya Stories: Organic Principles in Practice

Organics are produced and processed through a system that encourages biological natural cycles, allowing farm animals to exhibit natural behaviour, whilst excluding the use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilisers, antibiotics and genetically modified organisms.

Why do we support organic agriculture?
Well, it’s easy to manage and cheap. The fertiliser and pesticide products are chemical free using locally available, organic materials that do not interfere with the soil and environment.

We like to follow 4 simple, organic principles:

1. Health
2. Ecology
3. Care
4. Fairness

Health
Organic agriculture is geared towards achieving health in plants, animals, human beings and the whole planet. Holistic approaches to health are best achieved when the individuals health is embedded in the ecosystem. In human health we think in-terms of social, mental, physical and ecological well being exhibited in immunity, resilience and regeneration.
It follows that our harvest should fit the cycles and ecological balances in nature. Ecological balance can be attained through the design of farming systems, establishment of habitats and maintenance of genetic and agriculture diversity.

Ecology
Organic agriculture is based on living ecological systems and cycles. These systems are the living soil, farm ecosystem, and aquatic ecosystem. Inputs should be reduced by reuse, recycling and efficient management.

Care
Animals should be provided with the conditions and opportunities of life that accord with their physiology, natural behaviour and wellbeing. Natural and environmental resources that are sued for production and consumption should be managed in such a way that is socially and ecologically just and should be held in trust for future generations.

Fairness
Fairness is cultivated through equity, respect, justice and stewardship of shared world, both among people and in relations to other living things. The relationship cultivated should ensure fairness in all levels and to all parties: farmers, workers, processors, distributors, traders and consumers.

Now back to our beans. They were planted using animal manure, sprayed with plant extracts with traps for any insects which might interfere with the produce.

This way the beans are produced in a healthy manner optimising microorganisms in the soil with care to eliminate chemical residues.

Our farmer managed to produce 10 bags each 90kgs within a half acre to feed her family and sell the surplus locally to improve food security and fairness in the community.

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Regina Muthama, Katoloni Missions (TreeKenya Parnters)