 |
|||
|
A. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS The environmental and economic benefits of organic agriculture have captured the attention of several countries; however, only a small number have enacted policies to assist the organic sector. Most assistance has developed in the private sector, especially by NGOs like our Company. This private sector infrastructure is not only recognized by countries, but also encouraged. Farmers and consumers in almost all countries rely on a system of private self-organized producer organizations and independent certifiers which have, over the years, provided an economically-efficient mechanism of certification |
||
The degree to which private organizations are significant is indicated by the fact that IFOAM has some 650 individual and institutional members in over 100 countries, 75 percent of which are in developing countries. Organic programmes, maintain evolving "input lists" of acceptable inputs for organic production, processing aids, and ingredients. Engaging in international trade requires quantities of goods well beyond the production capacity of individual small organic farmers. Our Company will be supporting farmers in their efforts to establish appropriate organizations for collecting, processing and marketing organic products. We will also be playing a key role in disseminating best practices and ensuring that farmers use adequate production and post-production techniques. B. TECHNICAL SUPPORT The lack of extensive formal organic research combined with the highly site-specific nature of organic agriculture, suggests that it would be most advantageous for farmers themselves to participate in locally-based, applied field research which the Company intends to pursue. Experience with FAO-initiated Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Farmer Field Schools and community forestry projects has shown that farmers, whether owners or tenants, large or small, can practice good scientific methods if they are given orientation and technical support. Our Company would also be undertaking market research with a focus on opportunities for exports. Most national and private organic standards, disallow genetically engineered organisms (GEOs), including transgenic crops, in organic production. While current biotechnology applications have been rejected for organic production, it is possible that future scientific developments and further discussions may produce technologies which are acceptable. (e.g. the value of tissue culture in producing disease-free planting materials). It is imperative that Governments could better enforce organic standards by punishing those who engage in fraudulent activities as well as undertaking systematic tracking and measuring of fraud and its impact on the market. |
|||
 |
||
 |
|
|
 |
||
Organic agriculture is becoming of growing importance in the agriculture sector of a number of countries, irrespective of their stage of development.
|
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS |
|
 |
||
The demand for organic products has created new export opportunities for the developing world.
|
||
|
|
|
