News • 25 May 2003

Centre for promotion of organic farming approved

A farmer in the Tal Virtu area near Rabat is celebrating the news that his application to set up a centre for the promotion of organic farming has been approved.

A storeroom in the 17 century farmhouse that languishes in the middle of the site developer Angelo Xuereb wants for a golf course will be turned into a meeting place for farmers and others interested in organic agriculture.

The application for the centre was first dismissed by MEPA but was approved when it was put up for re-consideration.

The centre will be run by the farmers with the assistance of Friends of the Earth (Malta), the Malta Organisation for Organic farming, Moviment Graffitti and the Ceratonia Foundation.

Kola Cassar, whose family used to live in the farmhouse for generation said when properly furnished the centre would welcome farmers from all over Malta wishing to learn about organic farming.

The GAIA foundation which manages the Ghajn Tuffieha coastal area and will manage Ramla Bay in Gozo, has been producing organic fruit and vegetables through its Persephone Organic Food Club www.projectgaia.org. The club distributes organic food to its members, but cannot keep up with demand.