 An online training course on "Successful Organic Production and Export", launched this month by the three United Nations agencies, has attracted worldwide attention with more than 600 applications from 80 countries and territories.
The course "Successful Organic Production and Export" was launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) under the auspices of the Capacity-Building Task Force on Trade, Environment and Development (UNEP-UNCTAD CBTF), in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
The four-week course, which will be conducted over the Internet, aims to build the capacities of participants to understand organic farming and its benefits, and enable them to overcome production and export challenges.
The course provides step-by-step guidance for conversion to organic farming, and monitoring benchmarks for quality assurance in order to meet the necessary standard and certification requirements for accessing local and international markets. The entire value chain and its formation are covered, from the moment an uncultivated piece of land is brought under organic production - or a conventional farm is converted into organic - until products reach markets.
Organic products gain market share
Trade in organic food and drinks attained the $50 billion a year mark in 2008. Despite the economic slowdown and financial crises, the market growth rate for organic products is the highest in the food sector. More than 50 per cent of all baby food sold in the United Kingdom in 2008 was organic.
In parallel, the market for organic cotton, which was only $241 million in 2001, crossed the $5 billion mark in 2008. Demand for organic wild harvested products and cosmetics made of organic ingredients is also growing exponentially. The growth trend is expected to continue as consumers and supply chains increasingly realize the health and environmental benefits of organic production.
Benefits of organic farming
In addition to economic and trade benefits, organic agriculture offers a range of environmental and social benefits. Organic farming contributes to mitigating climate change by sequestering more carbon by consuming 20 to 100 per cent less energy, and by emitting 48 to 60 per cent less CO2 per hectare as compared with conventional farming.
In many countries, conversion to organic has been shown to increase overall farm yield and profits. On small farms, yields have increased by up to 180 percent. Intercropping on organic farms allows for greater plant diversity for increased crop production, nutritional security and pest control.
Intercropping on organic farms allows for greater plant diversity for increased crop production, nutritional security and pest control. | In addition, high price premiums are available on organic products. For example, in 2008, Ugandan farmers earned up to 200 per cent more on their organic ginger compared to ginger conventionally produced. Developing countries in particular enjoy a comparative advantage in organic agriculture.
The availability of labour and lower use of agrochemicals make it relatively less cumbersome to set up an organic production and export business.
Production and export challenges
While increasing demand for organic products has outpaced the supply in recent years, many individuals and institutions, especially in developing countries and economies in transition, have not been able to seize the business development and wealth creation opportunities offered by this growing segment of the market.
Various barriers stand in the way, most significantly, a lack of knowledge and understanding about the requirements and standards for production and export.
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