Johannes Kotschi:
Organic Agriculture in Rural Development -- Whose Agenda?

JOHANNES KOTSCHI
Association for the Promotion of Locally Adapted Land Use in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe (AGRECOL), Germany

Introduction

Organic Agriculture (OA) in Developing Countries is dominated by interests, values and norms from the North. This limits its spread, restricts its importance as an innovative concept for self-sustained rural development and, ultimately, inhibits the worldwide growth of markets for organic produce. There are thousands of local initiatives which strive for Organic Agriculture, with no access to the global market and with an urgent need for support. From the northern perspective they are often labelled as ``hidden Organic Agriculture'' or ``Organic by Neglect'' and considered as part of the global movement. But there is little awareness of their potentials and needs, which differ significantly from northern settings. The enthusiasm about the increase in organic trade in the North has diverted attention from this problem, with the result that the potential for development of Organic Agriculture in the South is under utilised.

Description of Approach

AGRECOL, a German NGO, has started an initiative under the theme ``Organic Agriculture for Rural Development''. The project aims to contribute to the endogenous development of Organic Agriculture and, thus, to increase its importance in revitalising agriculture towards sustainable food security. Local NGO from all over the world have been invited to participate, and an E-group of around 80 members has been established. By E-mail dialogue the group exchanges experiences, analyses shortcomings, and identifies solutions. A part of the group will meet in Bonn/Germany for a workshop in late October. Together with European professionals they will share ideas and initiate appropriate measures in order to overcome identified constraints.

Conclusion

The project is still in its initial phase. Important first results are:

1. Farming Communities are in great need of a threefold know-how development. a) sound advice at farm level is required (production, farm planning, marketing), b) advisors of such communities need professional training to allow qualified extension and deepening of the knowledge base, c) site specific technology development which combines farmer led research with specific OA knowledge from ``outside'' is essential. But, how can this triangle of know-how development be financed? Export oriented initiatives may get such necessary support from international traders as part of their production contract and financed by premium prices. But what can be done to help the many who do not have access to export markets?

2. Standards for production and processing have proven indispensable for Organic Agriculture. They compel producers and food processors to develop environmentally sound technologies, which makes OA a driving force for innovation. Secondly, the strict production guidelines and the related inspection systems have created confidence among consumers in the high quality of organic products and the market is growing rapidly. But what kind of standards are necessary and appropriate? The global economy demands more and more uniform standards, whereas ecology, culture, economy etc. call for diversity and a site-specific development led by farmer communities, who conduct crucial research with their initiative and creativity through trial and error. Does this not require independence from global standards, and is equivalence really an issue where there is no export market?

3. Quality control via inspection and certification is the logical complement to standards. But the usual system -- ``one producer one external inspection a year'' does not meet the needs especially of smallholders who farm less than 1 ha of land. The development of group certification with internal control systems represents an encouraging search for alternatives. But again: the system in all its elaborateness is meant for export production, and requires an enormous effort in training and supervision from outside. Why not look for indigenous ways of quality control, which may be more appropriate and more efficient?

4. Many initiatives claim that their main constraint is access to markets. They are attracted by international contracts with premium prices but most do not have the means to produce for them. Awareness is dawning that domestic markets have to be developed. Organic Food as luxury goods in big supermarkets of Shanghai and Lima does already exist. But how can marketing strategies for smaller urban places and even rural areas be conceived?

Further work of the group will concentrate on the above mentioned aspects.

Keywords: Food security, rural development, sustainable agriculture

Footnotes

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Contact Address: Johannes Kotschi, Association for the Promotion of Locally Adapted Land Use in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe (AGRECOL), Johannes Acker Straße 6, 35041 Marburg, Germany, e-mail: kotschiagrecol.de