Farmers across the Pacific are to take part in research looking at how organic farming contributes to healthy soil, and soil resilience to climate change.
Farmers across the Pacific are to take part in research looking at how organic farming contributes to healthy soil, and soil resilience to climate change.
Farmers in Niue, the Cook Islands and the Marshall Islands will be taking part in what the Pacific Community has termed the 'soil health trials'.
The research will compare the quality of soil from organic farmers versus conventional, or chemical based, farmers.
soil Photo: 123rf
The lead researcher, soil scientist Dr Shane Tutua, said the research would develop a scientific evidence base to support the push for organic farming.
"The research is to promote organic farming, to demonstrate that the organic farming practices are important for increasing soil health and soil resilience to climate change. And therefore it will encourage more farmers we hope, to take on these practices."
The trials will begin in May and Shane Tutua said it would look at things like how stable soil is to climate change impacts, and the ability of soil to hold moisture during drought.
The two-year soil trials are part of the Capacity Building for Resilience in Agriculture Project coordinated by POETCom, housed within the Pacific Community, and funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
