8. Role of Solidarity in Organic Agriculture

In this chapter we see how organic agriculture depends on solidarity between farmers and consumers. The purposes of protecting environment and human health cannot be achieved without a healthy society in which people know the situation of each other and the impact of their conducts on the environment and their neighbors. On the other hand, modern technology such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides deprived us of our understanding of environment and society. Many people are now interested in organic agriculture but the basis is our concern for a healthy society and therefore solidarity. Organic agriculture is a holistic system which promotes and enhances ecosystem, health, food safety and local environment etc. Organic agriculture can be roughly divided into two types, maintaining face-to-face relationships and the certification type found in Japan. In Korea, these days market of certified products is becoming more and more competitive, so that farmers with less competitiveness turn towards direct relationships with local consumers. In the Northeastern Thailand, many groups are performing organic agriculture already and these days local government has been promoting the organic agriculture.