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.