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FAO Shows Interest Exploring the Potential of Organic Agriculture for Food Security |
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November 02, 2006
FAO Shows Interest Exploring the Potential of Organic Agriculture for Food Security |
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Rome, Italy, November 2nd 2006 — From October 30th - November 4th, the Committee on World Food Security of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is meeting in Rome to discuss a host of issues, including the presentation of the Mid-Term Review of Achieving the World Food Summit Target, which concludes that practically no progress has been made since its establishment in 1992. Taking a solutions-oriented approach, a side event organized by IFOAM in the FAO Headquarters drew attention to the potential of Organic Agriculture for achieving global food security. |
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Mr. John Bosco Mugisha opened the side event by presenting the
successful work of the Export Promotion of Organic Products from Africa
(EPOPA) project, which began in 1994 as a program of the Swedish
International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). EPOPA aims to
provide African smallholder farmers a better livelihood through the
development of local and international organic markets. The increase in
agricultural production benefits rural communities, and thus the
farmers. Through the projects - that reaches more than 30,000
smallholder farmers - the agricultural sector, particularly in Tanzania
and Uganda, is constantly exposed to innovative and environmentally
sound organic farming techniques, leading to abundant local spin off
developments.
Thomas Rath from the International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) presented the evaluations IFAD has undertaken on the impact of
organic agriculture on poverty alleviation. The evaluations show that
Organic Agriculture is a promising alternative for small farmers, and
that in almost all of the countries where the evaluations were carried
out, small farmers needed only marginal improvements to their
technologies to make the shift to organic production.
Ms. Patrizia Sentinelli, Italian Vice-minister of foreign affairs
explained her view on Organic Agriculture and local development in the
international cooperation. She said that: "Solutions for food security
should both address the need of small holders and should not exploit
the environment and natural resources. Producers having direct contact
with consumers, having security in access to land and some financial
space through micro credit, can contribute themselves to a sustainable
future. Organic Agriculture drives local development so that local
communities can be sustainable in their economy and in their use of and
dependence on natural resources like water and land."
Mr. Alexander Müller, Assistant Director-General of FAO said that many
countries request FAO's assistance to develop Organic Agriculture. He
says that "there is a need to shed light on the contribution of Organic
Agriculture to food security, so that FAO can provide objective and
informed advice to its member countries. Thus, FAO plans to hold in
2007 an international conference on Organic Agriculture and food
security." The conference aims to identify Organic Agriculture’s
potential and limits to the food security challenge, including
conditions required for its success. The report of the conference will
be submitted to the 2007 Session of the Committee on World Food
Security.
Mette Meldgaard, IFOAM’s Vice President notes "The major constraints to
achieving universal food security are found in social, economic and
political conditions, more than in problems regarding agricultural
productive capacity. One of the most important factors for poverty
alleviation is Rural Development. Organic Agriculture, based on the
Principles of Health, Ecology, Fairness and Care, is the more advanced
tool for Rural Development," and concerning the announcement of Müller
said "We are glad that the planned FAO conference provides for an
opportunity to show Organic Agriculture’s potential."
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IFOAM is the international umbrella organization of organic agriculture movements worldwide.
IFOAM’s mission is leading, uniting and assisting the organic movement in its full diversity.
Our
goal is the worldwide adoption of ecologically, socially and
economically sound systems that are based on the Principles of Organic
Agriculture. |
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