InfoAnda - Organic farming gains ground in China

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Bardot turns 75 with no regrets | 27 September 2009
Poverty forces Indonesian parents to keep autistic child on a leash | 28 February 2011
Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” Hits DVD And Blu-Ray In 3D | 17 November 2010

Bullock wins best actress Oscar for Blind Side | | 8 March 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Organic farming gains ground in China

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Asia Pacific World Organic farming gains ground in China AFP - 2 hours 37 minutes ago Send IM Story Print Organic farming gains ground in China BEIJING (AFP) - – Ji Yunliang worked as a missile researcher at a large state-owned enterprise and later earned a doctorate in chemistry at a prestigious Beijing university. Now, he is running a small organic farm. In a country hit by a series of food safety scandals, the interest in organic produce is growing fast. Instead of using his cutting-edge technical expertise, Ji is employing traditional methods and old-fashioned manual labour to battle pests and weeds on his property on the northern outskirts of the Chinese capital. "When I got a taste of organic farming, I realised I had reached a turning point in my life," Ji said, picking some worms off of a leaf of basil. "In a way, it totally goes against what I learned as a chemistry student." Despite fetching prices up to five times higher than regular produce and limited options on offer, the demand for organic foods is surging in China, where consumers are paying closer attention to what they eat. The market is now worth around five billion yuan (732 million dollars) and demand is expected to increase 20-30 percent a year in the next five years, said Huang Dejun, chief analyst with Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultants. "The Chinese economy has been growing by double digits. People are getting affluent and they are demanding a better quality of life," Huang said. China's food industry is notoriously prone to safety scares, often linked to corruption. In 2008, at least six babies died and 300,000 others fell ill when the industrial chemical melamine was used to give dairy products the appearance of having a higher protein content -- a scandal that shocked the nation. So far this year, pesticide-tainted chives, toxic string beans and unsafe pears have all been pulled from shelves. Rather than spread potentially harmful herbicide at his 0.7-hectare (1.65-acre) De Run Wu vegetable farm, Ji opts for straw mulch, which he says is just as effective. He intersperses different crops to stave off pest infestations and the spread of plant diseases. His farm can supply produce to up to 200 families in summer and 100 in winter, he said. His best clients pay a lump sum of 5,500 yuan (805 dollars) to get weekly home deliveries throughout the year. "We are doing this to maintain biological diversity and recover the ecological system," Ji said. Shi Yan -- the manager of the Little Donkey Farm, another organic operation outside Beijing -- says consumer interest in organic produce shows "everyone is concerned about the safety of our food". Her farm had only 54 clients when it opened last year. This year, 320 families have so far signed up. They can either rent a piece of land under a work-share programme that allows them to farm at weekends, or get deliveries and contribute at least 10 hours of work every farming season. "Farming with chemicals in the past few decades depleted the soil and harmed the environment," said Shi, who is a doctoral candidate in agricultural development at the People's University of China. "More and more people have now realised the root cause of food safety problems ... so they are willing to participate," she said. Yu Shuchen, a 69-year-old former accountant, has become a zealous supporter of organic farming after joining Little Donkey's work-share programme. "I think it is better to have food and drinks that are made naturally and do not grow from too much synthetic fertilizer," she said as she dumped a giant scoop of sesame residue into her lettuce field. She says she often brings her young granddaughter to the farm to learn "things in reality that cannot be acquired from books". The friends Yu has invited to work in the fields with her are all keen to get a piece of land as well but will have to wait until next year for a vacant spot, she said. "I will certainly continue to rent (the land). The longer, the better," she said with a smile. Analysts have said organic food will remain a niche product in China due to limited supply, especially as pristine air, water and soil conditions needed for organic farms are increasingly hard to find in fast-industrialising China. "China has a huge population while the yield of organic farming is too low," Huang said. "It does not have the resources to produce enough organic food to supply the entire population." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - 27 minutes ago Timberlake dancer to play lead in new "Footloose" Reuters - 27 minutes ago Lugano classical music gem: Martha Argerich festival AFP - 1 hour 37 minutes ago "Two Escobars" a timely mix of soccer, murder Reuters - 1 hour 53 minutes ago Weird Al ponders Lady Gaga parody Reuters - 2 hours 56 minutes ago News Search Top Stories Aussie men shoot each other in buttocks 'to see if it hurts' Russia cuts Belarus gas by 60 percent Taxes up, spending cut in Britain's 'bloodbath' budget Geithner's spending cuts warning, urges yuan float Nadal, Murray and Serena cruise through at Wimbledon More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed France's richest woman moves to defuse scandal Volvo recalls nearly 30,000 cars N.Korea picks the wrong game to start live broadcasts Charges dropped in World Cup miniskirt case Early menopause doubles risk of heart problems: study More Most Viewed » More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos World Cup 2010 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Wednesday, 23 June 2010
U.S. says Iran anxious as sanctions bite
Belarus to cut Europe-bound Russian gas deliveries
Iran says inspector ban is 'notice' to atomic watchdog
US-TECH Summary
Europeans to lobby G20 over bank levy plans
U.S. says Iran anxious as sanctions bite |
Cyprus probes weapons on Sudan-bound ship
Judge overturns Gulf deepwater drilling ban
OSCE denounces Internet restrictions in Turkey
Bees tagged to assess pesticide brain damage
U.N.'s Ban names advisory panel on Sri Lanka war |
3 NATO troops killed; bomb explodes in clinic
U.S. to target foreign websites in anti-piracy push
Obama Administration Unveils Plan To End Homelessness
Clinic bomb kills Afghan provincial health chief
Nearly 50 killed in Congo train disaster: official
Apple iPad sales hit three million
US unveils strategy to fight piracy of intellectual property
Apple says iPad sales hit 3 million mark
Google to launch music service: report
White House summons McChrystal over scathing interview
New Study Adds To Evidence Coffee Protects Against Head, Neck Cancers
Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony Headline Michael Jackson Tribute On CBS' "Early Show"
Istanbul bus bombing kills five as Kurdish violence flares
Van Fleeing From Police Injures, Kills Pedestrians On Busy Harlem Street
Mexicans hint that draw will do against Uruguay
Witness: Polo Mogul Was Looking For Coke Before Fatal Crash
J.P. Morgan Reassigns Roles Of Three Executives
Existing Home Sales Take Surprise Dip In May
Conservative Newcomers In Runoff For GOP Senate Nomination
UN sets up Sri Lanka war crimes probe
Japan, Iceland rebuke critics at whaling talks
2 Indian Women Figure In Forbes List Of Notable Heiresses
Survey: Seniors Citizens Safer Drivers Than Teens
Indonesian court jails militants over hotel bombings
Apple says iPad sales hit 3 million |
S.Korea accuses N.Korea of 'blackmail'
U.S. to target foreign websites in anti-piracy push |
Japan coach predicts bruising match against Danes
Vietnam president praises Cambodia cooperation: state TV
Pakistan PM reverses stance on U.S. sanctions on Iran
Asian banks to weather European contagion: Moody's
Software cuts CT radiation dose in half: study |
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Troubled "Footloose" movie remake gets cast together
Wellies at the ready as Glastonbury Festival turns 40
Madrid's Thyssen stages Italian Renaissance exhibition
Lady Gaga says has finished new album
Troubled Footloose movie remake gets cast together |
Uruguayan singer Jaime Roos ponders vuvuzela song |
NATO toll in Afghanistan rises to 14 in two days
Russian leader Medvedev starts first US visit
Afghan women footballers dream of World Cup
"Shark Tank" to return -- for one episode
Aussie men shoot each other in buttocks 'to see if it hurts'
Alleged drug lord Dudus Coke captured in Jamaica |
Israel launches spy satellite
Taxes up, spending cut in Britain's 'bloodbath' budget
Apple iPhone 4 has Samsung and Micron chips: report
Refugees return to shattered Kyrgyz city |
Australia may start Afghanistan pullout in 2 years
Crowds expected for new iPhone model debut Thursday
Johns Hopkins Medicine Chief Optimistic With Medicaid Expansion Proposal
Pakistani PM ignores US warning on Iran gas deal
Geithner's spending cuts warning, urges yuan float
RealNetworks cuts five percent of workforce
Japan PM seeks to quell Okinawa anger over U.S. base |
Disney To Launch Electronics, Toys Inspired By "Tron"
Nadal, Murray and Serena cruise through at Wimbledon
Large study finds no cell phone mast link to cancer
Taiwan, China to sign trade deal June 28-30: sources |
Congress Questions Defense Department About Bribes to Afghan Insurgents
3 NATO troops killed; doctor dies in clinic blast
US lawmakers target 'libel tourism'
Russian minister says unaware of tycoon oil theft |
U.S. Markets Fall On Housing Data, Slumping Energy Sector
Conde Nast puts Gourmet back on the menu
3 NATO troops killed; bomb explodes in clinic
Israel launches spy satellite |
Judge Lifts Six Month Deepwater Drilling Ban
Google Voice telecom service opens to all in US
Flood-hit dyke in south China suffers new breach |
Indonesia peaceful protesters face torture: report |
Apple iPhone 4 has Samsung and Micron chips: report
Wanted Jamaican druglord captured: police
McChrystal showed 'poor judgment': Obama
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
Apple's new iPhone approaches as iPad surprises again |
FCC OKs AT&T buy of assets from Verizon |
Apple iPhone 4 has Samsung and Micron chips: report |
Sri Lanka slams UN over war crimes probe
Shark Tank to return -- for one episode |
Bangladesh re-opens factories after rioting
Australia says could leave Afghanistan in 3 years
Large study finds no cell phone mast link to cancer |
China warns of fresh onslaught in flooded regions
Flood-hit dyke in south China suffers new breach
Nissan CEO earned 9.8 million dollars last year
Lithium market could bloom as tide goes out on oil
Bleary-eyed S.Koreans celebrate W.Cup last 16 spot
Taiwan to issue $3.75 bln government bonds in Q3
Political prisoners an 'ugly stain' on Indonesia: HRW
Seoul shares lose 0.3 pct as exporters fall
Hong Kong steps up security for democracy vote
China clamps down on online gaming market
Bomber believes N.Korea's Kim ordered ship attack
Lugano classical music gem: Martha Argerich festival
China to scrap export tax rebates on some goods
Toshiba to make motors for Ford hybrid
Indonesia peaceful protesters face torture
"Two Escobars" a timely mix of soccer, murder
PAKISTAN
Toyota's China car assembly plant remains idle
More N.Korean workers at industrial park despite row
Organic farming gains ground in China
Weird Al ponders Lady Gaga parody
DreamWorks Animation plans Good Luck Trolls movie
Lego World Cup replays score Internet hit
Polaroid photographs raise $12.5 million at NY auction
Belarus To Cut Russian Gas Supply To Europe Over Gazprom’s Unpaid Debt
"Twilight" fans camp out for days ahead of premiere
Fresco Restoration Uncovers Oldest Images Of Apostles
Sotheby's sets Manet record, auction hits target
Twilight fans camp out for days ahead of premiere |
DreamWorks Animation plans Good Luck Trolls movie |
Weird Al ponders Lady Gaga parody |
Timberlake dancer to play lead in new Footloose |
Two Escobars a timely mix of soccer, murder |
Polaroid photographs raise $12.5 million at NY auction |
Film shows life and bloody death of Iran protester |
Afghanistan backs US General McChrystal to keep job
Two German aid workers kidnapped in Darfur: UN
British pound climbs after budget, interest rate hint
Russian president to Silicon Valley: Help!
Two German aid workers abducted in Darfur
Global whaling talks collapse
Medvedev visit showcases warmer US-Russia ties
Israel launches spy satellite |
Bing spotlighting films, music, games and TV shows
Afghan leaders warn against firing Gen. McChrystal
Prince Albert of Monaco announces engagement
Egypt court sentences militant leader to death |
BP's Hayward hands over Gulf spill management
Afghan leaders warn against firing McChrystal
Monaco's Prince Albert to wed Olympic swimmer |
Algeria bar path of USA into W.Cup last 16
Afghan leaders voice strong support for McChrystal
Michael Jackson's death triggers billion dollar bonanza
Afghan police struggle ahead of U.S. pullout |
Australia may start Afghanistan pullout in 2 years
Cocaine market shifts to Europe, hurts Africa -UN |
Turkey detains 27 over Istanbul bus attack: agency |
US-TECH Summary
Congo train crash death toll rises to 76 |
Apple iPhone 4 has Samsung and Micron chips: report
Australian PM to fight shock leadership challenge
Thailand could hold elections in early 2011: minister
Myanmar restricts political activity ahead of polls
Australian PM to fight shock leadership challenge
World Bank Lending To India Touches $9.3 Billion
"The Lion King" To Hit Theaters In 3D
Passengers Held On Plane For Hours In Connecticut
Mexico Gets Involved In Immigration Law Battle
Australia PM Rudd calls leadership ballot
Opera widens lead over iPhone in mobile browsers |
Mike Lee Defeats Fellow Tea Party Conservative In Utah Senate Runoff
Pakistani forces kill 24 militants in northwest
FDA Bans 'Light' Smokes
"Glee" Reality Competition Show Canceled
Good Tech software may aid corporate iPhone sales |
Abused Kids More Prone To Migraines As Adults
"Suite Life On Deck" Finale Gives Disney Channel Strong Ratings
Russian president to Silicon Valley: Help! |
U.S.-India CEO Forum Discusses Bilateral Ties Sans Bhopal Gas Tragedy
China's Hu heads to G20 amid pressure over yuan, N.Korea
Pakistani stocks egde up in dull trade; rupee firms
China's central bank sets weaker yuan exchange rate
POSCO says no longer considering Ukraine mill buy
S.Korea buys 200 T tin ingot; seeks 200 T more
Pakistan risks IMF, other aid if tax reform fails
Asian gaming demand greater than 'five Las Vegases'
Colour lights up Milan men's catwalks
S.Korea fin min sees bigger inflation risk ahead
Jackson death triggers billion dollar bonanza
Jackson children adjusting to life in spotlight
Wood construction making comeback in Canada
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01