"Organic farming makes no use of chemicals or pesticides so it's just a pipedream." UN Food and Agriculture Organisation Director-General Jacques Diouf
On the other hand, Diouf doesn't rate GMOs either: ""Faced with the needs of the 800 million people who are suffering from hunger, we don't need GMOs."
Thanks to Stokely for this.
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GOING ORGANIC CANNOT HELP WORLD HUNGER: FAO CHIEF DIOUF
February 17, 2001
Agence France Presse English
Patrick Crampont
ROME -- UN Food and Agriculture Organisation Director-General Jacques Diouf was cited as telling AFP that going organic to fight world hunger is "just a pipedream" but genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not the answer either.
Diouf added that in terms of trying to feed the world's starving, "Organic farming makes no use of chemicals or pesticides so it's just a pipedream. In order that agriculture can produce the amount of cereal that is needed around the world, it simply is not possible without using chemical fertilisers and pesticides."
But he also stressed his belief that GMOs are not necessary either: "Faced with the needs of the 800 million people who are suffering from hunger, we don't need GMOs. The big question is exactly what level of fertiliser and pesticides should be used."
Diouf was cited as recommending "an integrated organic approach" to achieve the right balance while not compromising on the environment. He gave the example of Indonesia where he said pesticide use had been reduced by 50 percent while rice production had increased by 15 per cent. But he pointed out: "There has been and there is too much use of fertilisers and chemicals."
Diouf said modern agricultural techniques and new crop strains meant it was now possible to try to tackle hunger head-on. "In six years, Vietnam has gone from being a net importer of rice to the position of number two world exporter. In Ghana, daily consumption of rice per inhabitant has increased in just a few years from 1,900 calories a day to 2,600".
Stokely Webster Greenpeace Canonbury Villas London N1 2PN tel: 020 7865 8177 fax: 020 7865 8203 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.greenpeace.org.uk