New Zealand Biological Farming Systems Research Centre is organising an information day to promote biological farming to the farmers in the Bay of Plenty region.
Biological farming is a holistic approach to modify and improve soil conditions for beneficial microbes to increase soil microbial activity that helps speed-up nutrient cycling,
and to re-establish mineral balance in the soil.
Organiser Dr Guna Magesan said biological farming is not organic farming, or conventional farming either.
"It is a mix of conventional and organic farming practices involving careful crop and soil monitoring to ensure optimum yields, nutritional density and humus production. While organic farming is considered to be too restrictive, because of its own set of rules and guidelines, biological farming is considered more users friendly, flexible and adaptable," Dr Magesan said.
The free information day will be held on Thursday, 3 May 2012 at the Ngongotaha Community Hall (5 School Road, Ngongotaha, Rotorua) from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chairman John Cronin will open the information day from the Regional Council's perspective. Bay of Plenty Regional Council Sustainable Farming Advisor John Paterson at the will speak on "What will sustainable farming look like in the future?" in the "What Farmers Want" session.
Two biological farmers from Reporoa and Edgecumbe will also speak in this session. The farmers' session will be chaired by Gifford McFadden, a Trustee and the Project Leader for biological farming systems research.
One of the highlights of this Information day is a Group Discussion by the attendees to answer the following key questions:
• Question 1: What else do you want to know about biological farming?
• Question 2: Would you adopt biological farming?
• Question 3: What would stop you adopting biological farming?
One of the key speakers at the information day is Dr Ravi Sangakkara, Chair in crop science at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka. Dr Sangakkara will speak on "Effective Microbes Technology - Using nature farming techniques to positively improve the environmental impact of farming". Dr Sangakkara is a world authority on integrating microbial technologies into biological farming systems, to provide natural, low cost, sustainable outcomes. Dr Sangakkara completed his PhD at Massey University in the 1980s specialising in crop agronomy and food production systems.
Spokesperson for the Association of Biological Farmers Nicole Masters will share information on the extension work that she has been doing with various farmers.
"All are welcome to hear the success stories from various speakers, and be part of the growing trend in sustainable farming through biological farming systems," Mr Gifford McFadden said.
New Zealand Biological Farming Systems Research Centre is the trade name of the Rotorua Lakes and Land Trust - a joint venture between Te Arawa Federation of Maori Authorities and Rotorua/Taupo Province of Federated Farmers.
The information day is supported by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, and the lunch is sponsored by biological fertiliser supplier Abron Ltd.