A Quiet Revolution in the Fields: The Story of SRI LOVELY Organic Farm
Despite minimal—if any—support from government agencies for NGO-led agricultural initiatives in rural areas, SRI LOVELY Organic Farm has come a long way. What began as a humble grassroots effort has grown into a recognized part of the international research community on organic rice cultivation.
Today, the vast majority of large-scale agricultural land in Malaysia, especially for rice and other staple crops, remains entrenched in the use of chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides. This heavy dependence on agrochemicals has brought about not just the degradation of soil health but also widespread environmental harm. Chemical runoffs from plantations during floods contaminate surrounding areas—polluting rivers, streams, and wetlands, and leading to the slow death of aquatic ecosystems. Once-abundant fish and other wildlife are now rare or extinct in many places, their absence unnoticed by most.
Public awareness of this ecological decay remains painfully low. Much of the damage occurs incrementally, slowly, and silently over decades. And yet the impact is profound. As the soil becomes increasingly sterile and the natural balance unravels, the very land that feeds us is being poisoned.
I've written about this issue before, but I believe it bears constant repetition—for myself, and for others who care about our health, the food we eat, and the planet we live on. The use of chemicals in modern agriculture is not just unsustainable—it’s lethal. It is killing us, and it is destroying the Earth.
Global agrochemical giants like Monsanto, Syngenta, Bayer, and others continue to dominate the agricultural landscape of the Malay Peninsula. These corporations—often referred to as the “Big Six” (BASF, Bayer, DuPont, Dow, Monsanto, and Syngenta)—control the seed, pesticide, and biotechnology industries worldwide. Their influence is vast, and their products are embedded deep into our farming practices.
“Glyphosate is a probable carcinogen and is wiping out the monarch butterfly. 2,4-D also causes serious human health effects, and the combination threatens endangered wildlife. This must not, and will not, be how we grow our food.”
— Paul Achitoff, Earthjustice Managing Attorney
(Source: http://www.panna.org/press-release/epa-pulls-registration-dow-enlist-duo-herbicide-citing-high-toxicity-levels)
In truth, our farms are behaving like addicts—hooked on chemical inputs to sustain short-term gains, but oblivious to long-term collapse. Many farmers today have become desensitized to the absence of birds, frogs, and especially local fish in their environments. So long as the crops grow fast and the harvest is profitable, the death of nature around them becomes an afterthought.
This is a dangerous illusion. Ignorance is not bliss—it is fatal.
When I first stumbled upon the SRI LOVELY Organic Farm in 2012 during my travels, I only intended to stay for two days. But something about the place—its philosophy, its people, its spirit—captivated me. Two days turned into two months. I had found my calling.
Despite having little outside support, the small team at SRI LOVELY was committed to healing the land and growing food in harmony with nature. I saw firsthand the challenges they faced, but also the immense heart and determination they poured into the soil. From that time onward, I made a quiet vow to do what I could to help keep their vision alive. And to this day, I return whenever I can, as my humble way of saying thank you to Mother Earth.
Their work is a form of ecological resistance—a testament to what’s possible when we choose care over convenience, balance over profit.
Further Reading:
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The World's Top 10 Pesticide Firms – Who Owns Nature? – Organic Consumers Association
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The “Big 6” Pesticide and GMO Corporations – SourceWatch
Let us remember: how we grow our food determines the future of life on Earth.
Let’s choose wisely. Let’s choose organically.
#SRILOVELY #OrganicFarming #SayNoToChemicals #AgrochemicalCrisis
#MotherEarth #SustainableLiving #SaveTheSoil #RiverPollution
#BiodiversityLoss #GMOAlert #Big6Agrochem #EnvironmentalAwareness
#FarmersRights #EcologicalFarming #PermacultureMalaysia #HealTheLand
#FoodSovereignty #NaturalFarming #AgriculturalReform #StopGlyphosate
#RiceRevolution #NoToMonsanto #TerengganuFarms #GrassrootsMovement
#EcoWarrior #ChemicalFreeLiving #KampungInitiative #EarthHealing
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