Workshop on ‘Cultivation and Processing of Organic Agro Crops for Export’

TJ Associates, a company offering a package of services to Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and foreign investors, is conducting a workshop titled ‘Cultivation and Processing of Organic Agro Crops for Export’ on 14 October at Hilton Colombo Residencies. This is a part of the initiatives the company has taken to promote organic agriculture in the country.

The workshop will involve practical, hands on experiences of the speakers, current challenges, recommendations and solution focusing on organic farming, organisational and technical skills to benefit exporters, potential exporters, farmers, land owners, investors, horticulturists, home gardeners and even students. A segment on Micro Finance for the Organic Sector would be advantageous to officers of lending institutions.

The main crops and detailed activities of setting up an organic farm and explanations required at each stage of farming will be well explained by experts and guidance will be given from both private and public sectors.

Moreover with a view to sustaining the benefits, this workshop is also designed to generate a training-of-trainers approach, including farmer-to-farmer mentoring with producer organisations drawing from farmer field school methods and using mentoring and exchange visits as tools for sharing skills and knowledge.

Organisers will facilitate a planned visit to organic farms and offer complimentary organic products to participants. 

Two leading exporting companies i.e. Biofoods Ltd. and Lanka Organics Ltd., contributing immensely to the development of organic agriculture in the country and successfully engaged in exports to international markets are making presentations at the workshop and will share their experiences.

The role of the Ministry and the Department of Agriculture in promoting organic farming will be presented by Ministry of Agriculture Additional Secretary Dr. Hemantha Wijewardene. A representative of the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka that assisted the private sector from very inception to promote organic agro products and capture the international market will participate at the workshop. 

Managing Directors of Mihimadala Ltd. and Agco Corporative Ltd. who have successfully launched projects to supply organically certified products to leading retail establishments and local consumers are also making presentations to share their experiences.  

The main presenter at the workshop is Bio Foods Ltd. Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Sarath Ranweera, a pioneer entrepreneur in the organic export field, also an award winner of the Fairest Fair Trader Award in 2014 by Global Fair Trade Organisation awarded to outstanding individuals within the global fair-trade system. His experience would be invaluable for exporters and other participants planning to develop their activities in organic agriculture.

Tilak Kariyawasam, Founder and Managing Director of Sri Cert also the President of Lanka Organic Agriculture Movement is presenting certification services offered by Sri Cert, Certification body that originated locally.  A certifier – organic from Control Union Inspection Services supporting the exporter community by offering certification services is also making a presentation.

Interest among farming communities gaining momentum

Interest in organic agriculture among the farming communities in the country has gained a momentum with a strong private sector engagement and initiatives of many non‐governmental organisations.  Many small scale farmers in the north and east of the country have commenced farming activities which could be supported by entrepreneurs who intend to start their projects under organic agriculture.

Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved. Production of organically certified tea, spices and fruits is becoming popular because of the demand for such products particularly in the European markets.  

Sri Lanka is a small island of 65,614 square kilometres, strategically located off the south eastern coast of Indian subcontinent. Its unique geographical location has resulted in abundance of rainfall from two most prominent monsoons. It is recognised as a country with a higher degree of biodiversity among most of the developing countries. Due to availability of abundant rainfall, water from irrigation reservoirs that is feeding the dry zone areas from ancient times, presence of warm humid tropical climate and rich soil, our traditional farming communities  have contributed tremendously for the development of sustainable agriculture in Sri Lanka. Many well balanced eco systems including the Kandyan forest garden system play main role in protecting environment and maintaining biodiversity of our beautiful island. 

Sri Lanka has been called the Granary of the East in the ancient past when it was self sufficient in rice and other crops which were produced using the traditional farming systems. There are many instances where ancient writings in religious monasteries cite the use of organic compounds obtained from leaves, seeds, roots and bark from Neem (Azedirachta indica) trees. This points to prevalence of organic agriculture systems in ancient Sri Lanka. The agriculture practices that have been carried out for many years with indigenous knowledge of our traditional farmers have contributed tremendously for the development of sustainable agriculture in Sri Lanka. 

 

Fast gaining popularity globally

Organic farming is fast gaining popularity in the world due to potential benefits it provides to protection of environment, conservation of renewable resources and food safety. Organic is environmentally friendly, culturally sensitive, socially just and economically viable sustainable agricultural system that maintains an efficient management system. 

All the organic production methods are monitored by Inspection and Certification Bodies (ICB) that are accredited by EN 45004/45011 or ISO 65. Most of developed countries have set up the minimum requirements as organic regulations and therefore products are checked at customs with relevant documentary proofs to support the claim the product as organic. These regulations are formulated based on guidelines or basic standards provided by International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and Codex Alimentarius.

Organic agriculture is described as a system of production through which sustainability of soil health, ecosystems and people is guaranteed.  It puts the total reliance on ecological processes, biodiversity and adaptation to local conditions instead of inputs that will give adverse effects. . However, term organic is used in a labelling system that is granted for ecological production when the whole process is certified by an accredited third party organisation.

According to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM), total land area under organic agriculture in Sri Lanka in the year 2014 was 19,517 hectares which was 0.75% of the total land area which is a 27% increase from 15,379 hectares in 2006 which was 0.65% of the total land area under agricultural production.

 The workshop will support local and international trade and allow organic farmers to approach agricultural production in sustainable ways that would provide a secure product to the world at large thus guaranteeing an income and increased food supply. 

A plan to use innovative tools and social media platforms to capture how organic farming is done will be an additional module for later workshops. This would help to instantly learn and share information and experiences amongst the participants. 

Please contact organiser TJ Associates, World Trade Centre, Colombo 1 on the hotline 0766981737 or 011 2323633 for registration on or before 13 October.