Stanley Farrugia Randon’s love for his country and desire to ensure that certain terminology relating to ancient agricultural activities is not lost inspired him to write a book, called Il-Biedja f’Malta.

The book consists of a history of agriculture in Malta and the effects it has on the Maltese landscape and environment. According to the author, the book is also a practical guide on the sowing, cultivation and harvesting of local produce and on the diseases that can attack them.

A medical doctor, Dr Farrugia Randon grows products organically in his yard and has gathered a great deal of information from farmers, particularly in Gozo.

He encourages people to grow products in their own garden, yard or on their roof, especially in an organic manner.

“This can be a hobby of great satisfaction serving as a therapy for body and mind, encouraging the amateur to love nature and closely observe the stages of development of the products and the greatness of the creator,” he says.

He recommends farmers to save irrigation water and abstain from much use of groundwater whose salinity leads to an inferior product. Another problem that requires a solution is the fragmentation of the fields that are not economically viable.