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Role of FAO in Supporting Organic Agriculture

Hiroshi Hiraoka,
Soil Management Specialist and

Pieter Ypma,
Marketing Consultant,
FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

In recent years organic agriculture has developed rapidly and has become an attractive export opportunity to most developing countries. It has sustained an annual growth rate of 20-30% while at the same time offering a considerable price premium to producers of organic products. From the consumer perspective, this is driven by an increased awareness on environmental issues and food quality and a perception of increased food safety. While producers share these views they also want to benefit from the price premium for organic products. These attractive conditions have focused the attention of many governments, producer organizations and other stakeholders on organic agriculture.

Due to the necessity of providing a guarantee to consumers that organic methods have been used in the complete organic food supply chain, the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission has developed guidelines on Organically Produced Foods. FAO has included Organic Agriculture in its Medium Term Plan (2002-2007) as a cross sectoral issue. The objective is to enhance FAO support to all member countries in organic agriculture, especially to increase their capacity to effectively produce, store, process, inspect, certify and market organic foods and fibres. In this context it is, amongst others, undertaking commodity studies for specific organic products and improving the dissemination of organic information through meetings, conferences and posting of research findings on various websites. In order to facilitate access to international markets, the Organization is involved in defining options for harmonization and equivalence in organic agriculture: an International Task Force, composed of both public and private sector representatives, has been established for this purpose.

As most technical information on organic agriculture stems from temperate zones, much remains to be done to adapt organic agriculture practices to environmental and socio-economic conditions prevailing in tropical and arid areas. One of the important factors of sustainability is agro-biodiversity wherein the natural ecological balance is the main production "input" and organic farmers are expected to be both custodian and users of this multi-dimensional diversity. Particular emphasis is also given to resource-poor farmers and their ability to invest in long-term productive systems.

Various technical divisions of FAO have been involved in organic agriculture issues, each emphasizing the significance of the production (soil fertility management, plant protection, seed production, agro-forestry, harvesting of wild products, organic aquaculture), post-harvest procedures (storage, processing, packing) and marketing of organic products. Collection / dissemination of information, establishment of networks, workshops and seminars are the main activities which have produced number of reports, papers, technical guidelines and manuals. Technical assistance to countries is undertaken through field projects.

In conclusion, FAO has advanced in delivering knowledge in the areas of marketing, global assessments, organic standards, harmonization and equivalency. On the other hand, the organization finds itself in need to make increased and concerted efforts in building up developing countries' capacities for efficient and economically competitive systems in order to better contribute to sustainable agriculture and rural development through organic agriculture.

Hiroshi Hiraoka
Soil Fertility Officer
FAO/RAPG, Maliwan Mansion, 39 Phra Athit Road,
Banglumpoo, Bangkok 10200 THAILAND
Tel. +66-2-697-4118 Fax. +66-2-697-4445
E-mail: [email protected]

Holds Bachelors degree in Agriculture, Graduate Diploma in Agriculture Development Economics, and Masters degrees in Agriculture / Agricultural Development and Environment
Entered FAO in 2001
JICA Agriculture Expert in the Sultanate of Oman 1999 - 2000
Researcher at Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited 1993 - 1997

Pieter Ypma
Associate Professional Officer Marketing
FAO Regional Office for Asia and the pacific
Maliwan Mansion
39 Phra Atit Road
Bangkok 10200
Thailand
E-mail: [email protected]

Holds a Bachelors degree in Tropical Agriculture, a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Technology & Business Hygiene, and a Masters degrees in Environment & Development. He has both experience on the production side as well as the marketing side of organic agriculture. In the Netherlands he has managed a small Bio-Dynamic market garden while in Zimbabwe and Swaziland Mr Ypma was involved in the certification of organic products. In Tanzania he worked as marketing advisor for Dgis the Dutch bilateral donor on a dairy project. Mr Ypma joined FAORAP in 2001 as APO agricultural marketing and has been involved with organic marketing in this context.

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