In an attempt to develop sustainable agriculture and reshape farming communities in Indonesia, Caritas Asia has taken initiatives to revive food sovereignty in the region
The commitment was made at a conference in Ruteng Diocese in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province from 8-11 May.
Representatives from 13 Asian countries including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Philippines, Kazakhstan and Timor Leste, attended the conference. Apart from that Donor organisations, local government officials, students and activists also took part in the conference.
The participants’ discussion highlighted the development of sustainable agricultural methods by the use of organic farming in the region.
In addition, the participants also agreed on the importance of using natural fertiliser to boost productivity and address environmental problems that are faced by many smallholder farming communities in the Asia-Pacific region.
As reported by UCA News, to address these problems, Ruteng Diocese has trained regional farmers in villages in the production of organic fertiliser, to reduce the issue of soil fertility.
Father Marthen Chen, director of Ruteng Diocese's Pastoral Centre, said that the government bodies, as well as other institutions, should promote sustainable farming options to make it popular in the region to increase the quality of life of the farmers, said the source.
He said that the community started organic farming from last year in a total land area of 50 ha. The production reached 320,000kg, mainly fruits and vegetables, Deno said to the source.
