NOCU launches ambitious initiative to promote organic agriculture

Monday, 5 August 2024 00:44 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The National Organic Control Unit (NOCU), the competent authority for organic agriculture in Sri Lanka established under the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), launched its initiative to promote organic agriculture countrywide recently.

As part of this effort, the first awareness program was successfully conducted in the Kegalle District on 25 July at Sleek Hotel, demonstrating an encouraging turnout of about 80 attendees who actively took part in the event. The participants, representing various sectors of the agriculture industry, gained valuable insights into organic farming techniques, certification processes, organic standards, and market opportunities.

The program also highlighted the contribution of the NOCU to organic farming in terms of its role in promoting a credible organic agriculture value chain.

As the regulatory body responsible for overseeing activities within the island’s organic agricultural sector, the main objective of the NOCU is to protect the credibility of organic agricultural products that are imported, exported, and sold in the local market as a reliable source for consumers. In line with this objective, the NOCU has scheduled six comprehensive awareness programs islandwide aimed at educating farmers, exporters, processors, and relevant Government officials on organic agriculture, including principles of organic agriculture and farming practices, Sri Lankan organic standards and organic certification procedures, as well as marketing prospects for organic agricultural products.

The ever increasing demand for organic products globally, including Sri Lanka, underscores the need for proper knowledge on organic agriculture to ensure that reliable organic food reaches customers. Consequently, implementing awareness programs is essential as the island has immense opportunities in the organic agricultural sector. Since its establishment in 2014, the NOCU has taken significant steps to enhance the organic agriculture sector in Sri Lanka.

This program was addressed by Kegalle District Secretary J.M.R.P. Jayasinghe and Kegalle Additional District Secretary D.N. Gamalathge. The Export Agriculture Division of the EDB organised this event under the guidance of Export Agriculture Director Janak Badugama.