Between 200 to 220 tumoli of agricultural land will be farmed using the organic method until the end of the year, almost doubling the current 120 tumoli, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino said yesterday.

Speaking during a visit to Ta’ Zeppi’s Organic Farm on the limits of Fawwara in Siggiewi, the minister said there were currently seven farmers who are registered to carry out organic farming and that these were expected to rise to 10 by the end of the year.

Minister Pullicino said there is a strong relationship between organic farming and the environment because the former does not make use of any artificial pesticides. He said that this puts environmentalists’ minds to rest because many a time, farming is seen as having a detrimental effect on land.

Parliamentary Secretary Frans Agius said that organic farming uses traditional methods but combined with today’s technology, the quality of the product increases substantially. He said that statistics show that organic farming products always improve the quality of life as they are much healthier than products farmed normally.

Dr Agius said that there was an extremely high demand for organic products with farmers selling their crops almost immediately as soon as they announce them on the market. He said that although Malta produces small amounts, the country’s organic products are known for their high quality.

Malta Organic Agriculture Movement spokesperson Mario Salerno explained that the movement had 50 members.

He also presented a DVD manual to Minister Pullicino which demonstrates the methods that are used in this traditional trade.

MOAM was established by a coalition of Maltese farmers, consumer advocates, students and environmentalists in November 1999.

Joseph Borg’s organic farm in Fawwara has over 1,200 olive trees which are used to produce olive oil for cooking purposes while another 400 trees are used for the production of olive oil for consumption with food.