One of the things about corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives is that the best programs are those that are part of the core operations of the firm, align to the greater goals, and do not require a constant champion.  It is simply embedded into the economics and actions of the firm, and while the firm [...]

1) Chengdu eventually achieved 315 days of fine air quality in 2009 On December 16th, 2009, the number of days with fair air quality in the downtown Chengdu achieved 15 days earlier the livelihood project goal put forward by the Municipal Government at the beginning of last year to “reach 311 days of fine air [...]

Following Greenpeace’s report on the usage of pesticides in China, I was alerted to a video Greenpeace posted on the same topic where members of the Greenpeace team go out to the farm to capture some footage of what goes on inside the green houses. Needless to say, I am glad to be meeting with [...]

On the same day that a tour of Shanghai Organics, we also took a trip to Kiwing Fine Foods, a family owned farm. Greated by Denise, General Manager, we learned that the farm is relatively knew (less than a year old) and that they are in the process of applying for their organic status. A [...]

Genetically Modified products have seen their far share of controversy over the years, and in China that is no different.  While I would believe that the consumers here are more willing to accept the products than an EU resident, the government has shows a significant amount of concern in commercializing these products for use in [...]

The Scientific American ArticleScientists urge Chinese farmers to use fertilizer better was tipped me off to the recently released study Reducing environmental risk by improving N management in intensive Chinese agricultural systems This study examines grain yields and N loss pathways using a synthetic approach in 2 of the most intensive double-cropping systems in China: [...]

Company Est 2001 by Japanese entrepreneur for local japanese community – early financial success wasn’t good. Super markets were fragmented – sold farm and returned to his business – new firm bought in and grew through grocery expansion period – own 2 farms in shanghai – have 4 partner farms in north/ south china ( [...]

I recently came across a very interesting presentation given by Prof. Wu Wenliang of China Agricultural University in 2005 that I think does an excellent job of showing the relationships he is drawing with agriculture within the greater context of sustainable development: Chinese eco-agriculture is a new integrated agriculture system which integrates agricultural production, rural [...]

quickly becoming one of the most successful food writers in the US,  Michael Pollen has been able to change the way many view food. His first book, Omnivore’s Delimma was a New York Times best seller, and on a personal level it was one of those books that provided the first real opportunity for the [...]

For those of you in China looking to learn more about the organic market in China, or see which products, equipment, and technology are available in China, you should check out the Green Food Expo this weekend. According to the Shanghai Daily report: The four-day expo will be hosted at the Shanghai Agriculture Exhibition Hall [...]