mahdiebrahimi/organic

"Researchers, growers and Industry specialists from 22 countries will share the latest research into the use of Brassica species, such as mustard, radish, or rapeseed, to manage soil-borne pests and weeds â€" a technique known as biofumigation."

From the page: "In the rush to develop renewable fuels from plants, converting crop residues into cellulosic ethanol would seem to be a slam dunk."

If good management and attention to detail are the secret to successful organic farming, then it is certainly working for Pollybell Organic Farm, voted Organic Grower of the Year 2008.

Pollybell Farm is the organic farming business of Loveden Estates, which is owned by the Brown family, who have been involved in farming in Lincolnshire for over 120 years.

From the page: "The cultivation of genetically modified maize has caused a drastic reduction in organic cultivation of this grain and is making their coexistence practically impossible. This is the main conclusion reached in one of the first field studies in Europe carried out by a researcher of the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, who has analysed the situation in Catalonia and Aragon, Europe's main producers of transgenic foods."

In recent years Afghanistan has become the biggest producer of opium worldwide. In 2007, this country on the Hindu Kush produced 8, 200 tons of opium - 2.3 times as much as in 2003 - with an export value of four billion US dollars. This figure is more than 50 % of the (legal) gross national product of the country. Practically 100 % of the world market for opium is now covered by Afghanistan.

Even though most of the profit margin goes to dealers, the farmers still earn seven to ten times more than with, for example, wheat. The livelihood of around two million people in rural areas (especially in the south and east of the country) depends on opium production. In this article, Ulrich Helberg, an expert in organic agriculture and herbs, presents an organic alternative to growing opium.

With green shops and high street retailers alike cottoning on to the fact that we consumers want more organic clothes, there are now plenty of organic cotton outfits on the shop shelves to suit anyone's style and wallet size.

From the page: "Europe saw annual market growth in organic food of more than 15 percent in 2007 over the year before, said Helga Willer, a spokeswoman for FiBL, a Swiss-based research institute that tracks organic agriculture. Germany was the biggest consumer, accounting for about one quarter of the European market share."

The growing success of the organic market will be only slightly marred by soaring food prices, which are tightening consumers' purse strings across Europe, say industry experts.