Tackling the future challenges of Organic Animal Husbandry - vTI

RAHMANN G & GODINHO D (Ed.) (2012): Tackling the Future Challenges of Organic Animal Husbandry.
Proceedings of the 2 nd OAHC, Hamburg/Trenthorst, Germany, Sep 12-14, 2012
The women's sector is certified independently as organic by a recognized certification agency. This
means in each of the participating member farms (right now around 15-20% of the membership) we
do have two members of the association, with voice and vote. Before that, female membership and
therewith organizational and executive influence in the association was very low, the possibility of
being a full member was connected to – mainly male - ownership of the farm. Sano y Salvo redefined
this: you can become a member with all rights, when "contributing directly to the agricultural
production".
Victoria and Tomasa
As case examples the development of the animal husbandry - in the described way and with the
described consequences - of the group members Victoria López Urbina, small farmer in Santa Isabel
del Pajarito, and Tomasa Pérez, Buenavista (Punta Gorda), are documented with some numbers
and photographic material, their production and market success so far and the challenges and temporary
defeats as well. We do not do comparisons and calculations of costs, income, profit etc., because
these ciphers are extremely influenced by local conditions, which moreover change permanently
(season, weather, shortages etc.), and by national ups and downs of agricultural policies and
day to day decisions of politicians.
Conclusions
Eco farming organizations may not turn down the female potential in their membership, because it
would cut them off from a lot of possibilities to develop. The animal husbandry project autonomously
done by the female membership of our eco farming families' association is an interesting
and promising way to develop this potential and make it have an impact.
Active self-governed female participation in organic farming is very motivating and contributes to
all the good things, organic agriculture stands for: environment protection, health, biodiversity, soil,
water, self induced poverty eradication, climate care and mitigation.
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