organic food presentation
organic food presentation
Global Significance of Organic Food Production :
The US National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) defined organic agriculture as follows: “Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony”.
Recently it has become a worldwide demand for foods free of chemical pesticide residues, synthetic fertilizers and genetic modification by consumers in developed countries. Such food crops have found a wide-open door in international markets producing very high profitable prices compared to conventionally produced ones.
As a result, many international organizations and scientific foundations eventually appeared encouraging the production of such crops especially after the outbreak of the frightening diseases of cow–madness, foot and mouth disease and the dioxins problem. Also many international organizations were established in USA and Europe to formulate and put standards and conventions which regulate the production, handling, processing and marketing of these organic food products.
In 1972 the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) was established as an umbrella organization for national organic agriculture associations. Members also include certification bodies, traders and processors. IFOAM has established International Basic Standards of Organic Agriculture and Food Processing which provide a framework for various certification programmes. IFOAM has consultative status with EEC and Codex Alimentarious Commission and a formal liaison status with FAO. IFOAM has established an international accreditation Programme which is operated by the International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS). IFOAM accreditation is based on compliance with Basic Standards and its Accreditation Criteria for programmes certifying Organic Agriculture and processing. Any country or body needs to enter this field should satisfy these standards and meet the regulations required in order to be internationally recognized as organic food producer.
The Situation in Sudan :
As pointed out above, Sudan has got a tremendous opportunity to take the lead in the production of organic food in both plant crops and livestock products. Unfortunately, the country is still lagging behind even in comparison with the African countries. This could be due to the following factors :
1- Complete absence of any organizing body in organic food production, handling, processing and marketing neither in private nor public sectors.
2- Complete unawareness of farmers to the international market value of the organic agricultural crops they produce.
3- Unavailability of funds in both time and value for agricultural production (only 10%). Farmers are mostly self-dependant in funding crop production and livestock raising (85%).
4- Lack of infrastructure in agricultural areas (e.g. roads, railways, transports, etc.) where crops are grown and livestock is raised.
5- High cost of agricultural production coupled with low productivity.
6- Absence of transferred technology leading to vertical increase in productivity.
7- Unsustainability of agricultural crop production due to marketing and availability of fund problems.
8- Weak and inadequate extension services in areas of agricultural production.
A Proposed Programme for Organic Farming and Organic Food Production in Sudan :
A- The initiation of the idea :
In order that Sudan can catch up and enter the international market of Organic Food production, a national workshop to look into the future of Organic agriculture in the country was held in February 2001. In conclusion, the workshop came out with the fact that Sudan has got a very high potential for the production of Organic foods. This is attributed to the huge natural resources and the wide range of biodiversity available with high relative advantages, which justify its lead in organic food production.
The outcome of this workshop encouraged some international companies in UK and Holland, having a good history and a long experience in marketing a large number of Sudan agricultural products, to shoulder the responsibility and foster a programme of Organic Agriculture in the country.
A plan of work in the Pogramme started after the workshop by appointing a local expert as a National Project coordinator. Two regions were chosen, namely Northern Kordofan and Sinnar Sates where the programme is to be implemented. The National Institute of Environmental Studies was chosen to carry out all the necessary studies including field surveys, data collection and selection of more suitable regions. A third region in the Nile River State was chosen in addition to the previous regions. All studies, field surveys and data collection were done and send to the International Organization concerned in Europe so as to have their consent in order to start the programme. Official meetings held with the Regional Ministers of Agriculture in the States concerned, Farmer's Unions and land owners resulted in a general agreement and insistence to bring the programme into reality.
The Proposed and Potential Organic Agriculture Areas in Sudan
Execution of
B- Execution of the Programme :
To guarantee success of the proposed programme, the international companies suggested a joint-venture with the specialized banks (e.g., Agric. Bank), the farmers and land owners, each to play their roles as follows:-
1- Farmers and land-owners produce organic food in their lands.
2- Specialized banks provide the funds for cultivation and production of organic foods.
3- The European companies shoulder the responsibility of marketing the production in the international markets by having a wide label experience and (ISO.9000 certificate) which will guarantees sustainable marketing of organic foods produced.
The European companies accepted to provide all funds necessary for the programme and contacted FAO Authorities in Rome & Cairo who agreed to help in carrying out the necessary studies to execute the programme and to provide funds for development projects in the chosen regions. Contacts were also made with the International Trade Center (I.T.C) and the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) who agreed to cooperate and help in making the Sudan Organic Agricultural Programme becomes fact.
The ultimate goal of all this is to connect the programme with three important dimensions namely :
1- Agricultural: The farmers produce the organic crops in their own land using funds provided by the specialized banks.
2- Commercial: The fund–providing banks together with the international companies which acquire the license to market organics products will play the role of marketing these products.
3- Developmental: International organizations e.g., FAO, CFC, ITC, etc. would provide funds to execute projects suggested for the development of the selected regions.
C- The selected regions :
It is agreed that regions chosen for organic agriculture will be specialized in production of crops for export only, e.g. sesame, groundnuts, sorghum, Roselle hemp (kerkade), gum arabic, guar gum in addition to livestock raising. In the Northern Kordofan region, farmers grouped into many co-operative Societies agreed to cultivate organic products in their own land following the traditional rotation practice.
The selected regions for organic food production under traditional and mechanized rain-fed practices, proposed areas and expected production of crops chosen are shown on (Table –1) .
Table (1)
Proposed Regions, Areas, Crops and
Expected Production
which of the following is not a benefit of organic food production techniques
which of the following statements about organic food production is true
disadvantages of organic food production
environmental benefits of organic food production
problems with organic food production
advantages of organic food production
history of organic food production
a review on organic food production in malaysia
define organic food production
consumer perception of organic food production and farm animal welfare
No Selected region Area Proposed for O.A, (feds) Crops cultivated (O.A.) and Expected production (inTons).
Gum Arabic Sesame Sorghum kerkade Guar gum
1 Northern Kordofan State 696000 11.000 10.000 ----- 5000 -----
2 Sinnar State 400.000 5000 10000 10.000 ----- 5000
Total 1096.000 16.000 20.000 10.000 5000
5000
The above-proposed area in Northern Kordofan State is very small compared to the available land, which can be utilized for organic crop production under traditional rain-fed cultural practice. If funds become available, the area can be increased to more than 5 million feddans (1.20 million hectares). Production of these crops can also be increased tremendously both horizontally and vertically using technological packages.
The area proposed in Sinnar State to be cultivated under mechanized rain-fed system can also be increased by 50.000 feddans under irrigated system. This means organic crop production can be increased by more than one hundred times if funds become available.
In the River Nile State, an area of 500.000 feddans is also proposed to be under irrigated system for production of organic food.
D- Current Situation of the programme:
1- An investment company, to administrate and organize organic agriculture for production of organic products in Sudan has been established under the name “Organic Product Co. Ltd, Sudan”.
2- Official applications written by the international companies to the authorities of the three chosen regions has been presented and accepted with the consent of Farmers Unions, the Regional Ministers of Agriculture and the farmers concerned with all the blessing of the federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
3- The international organizations concerned with certification of products cultivated in Sudan as “Organic” started a programme of analyzing these products, in order to offer the necessary certificates. The programme of analysis started first with Sinnar State and finally the Nile River State. A team of experts representing these organizations visited Sudan and all expenses of their visit and registration fees were paid by the international companies.
E- Rural Development of the Proposed Regions of the Programme :
The regions proposed for production of organic agricultural products are rural areas where basic services are badly needed. In this respect, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture officially asked FAO to present projects for the development of these areas. In order to fulfill this goal, a technical working team was proposed to be formed by FAO to prepare these technical projects with respect to crop production, marketing and integrated agricultural services. FAO agreed and allotted US$ 20.000 for this purpose and formed the technical working team. In these regions the on-going situation of the programme is moving fast as the international companies in concern agreed to pay all expenses needed to carry out the studies for production of organic agricultural foods. They also agreed to pay expenses needed for certification of all these products cultivated as “Organic”.
The only essential part left in the programme is to finance farmers to start organic food production, so that Sudan can catch up with the fast moving global train of organic food production.
organic food presentation
Global Significance of Organic Food Production :
The US National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) defined organic agriculture as follows: “Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony”.
Recently it has become a worldwide demand for foods free of chemical pesticide residues, synthetic fertilizers and genetic modification by consumers in developed countries. Such food crops have found a wide-open door in international markets producing very high profitable prices compared to conventionally produced ones.
In 1972 the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) was established as an umbrella organization for national organic agriculture associations. Members also include certification bodies, traders and processors. IFOAM has established International Basic Standards of Organic Agriculture and Food Processing which provide a framework for various certification programmes. IFOAM has consultative status with EEC and Codex Alimentarious Commission and a formal liaison status with FAO. IFOAM has established an international accreditation Programme which is operated by the International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS). IFOAM accreditation is based on compliance with Basic Standards and its Accreditation Criteria for programmes certifying Organic Agriculture and processing. Any country or body needs to enter this field should satisfy these standards and meet the regulations required in order to be internationally recognized as organic food producer.
The Situation in Sudan :
As pointed out above, Sudan has got a tremendous opportunity to take the lead in the production of organic food in both plant crops and livestock products. Unfortunately, the country is still lagging behind even in comparison with the African countries. This could be due to the following factors :
1- Complete absence of any organizing body in organic food production, handling, processing and marketing neither in private nor public sectors.
2- Complete unawareness of farmers to the international market value of the organic agricultural crops they produce.
3- Unavailability of funds in both time and value for agricultural production (only 10%). Farmers are mostly self-dependant in funding crop production and livestock raising (85%).
4- Lack of infrastructure in agricultural areas (e.g. roads, railways, transports, etc.) where crops are grown and livestock is raised.
5- High cost of agricultural production coupled with low productivity.
6- Absence of transferred technology leading to vertical increase in productivity.
7- Unsustainability of agricultural crop production due to marketing and availability of fund problems.
8- Weak and inadequate extension services in areas of agricultural production.
A Proposed Programme for Organic Farming and Organic Food Production in Sudan :
A- The initiation of the idea :
In order that Sudan can catch up and enter the international market of Organic Food production, a national workshop to look into the future of Organic agriculture in the country was held in February 2001. In conclusion, the workshop came out with the fact that Sudan has got a very high potential for the production of Organic foods. This is attributed to the huge natural resources and the wide range of biodiversity available with high relative advantages, which justify its lead in organic food production.
The outcome of this workshop encouraged some international companies in UK and Holland, having a good history and a long experience in marketing a large number of Sudan agricultural products, to shoulder the responsibility and foster a programme of Organic Agriculture in the country.
A plan of work in the Pogramme started after the workshop by appointing a local expert as a National Project coordinator. Two regions were chosen, namely Northern Kordofan and Sinnar Sates where the programme is to be implemented. The National Institute of Environmental Studies was chosen to carry out all the necessary studies including field surveys, data collection and selection of more suitable regions. A third region in the Nile River State was chosen in addition to the previous regions. All studies, field surveys and data collection were done and send to the International Organization concerned in Europe so as to have their consent in order to start the programme. Official meetings held with the Regional Ministers of Agriculture in the States concerned, Farmer's Unions and land owners resulted in a general agreement and insistence to bring the programme into reality.
The Proposed and Potential Organic Agriculture Areas in Sudan
Execution of
B- Execution of the Programme :
To guarantee success of the proposed programme, the international companies suggested a joint-venture with the specialized banks (e.g., Agric. Bank), the farmers and land owners, each to play their roles as follows:-
1- Farmers and land-owners produce organic food in their lands.
2- Specialized banks provide the funds for cultivation and production of organic foods.
3- The European companies shoulder the responsibility of marketing the production in the international markets by having a wide label experience and (ISO.9000 certificate) which will guarantees sustainable marketing of organic foods produced.
The European companies accepted to provide all funds necessary for the programme and contacted FAO Authorities in Rome & Cairo who agreed to help in carrying out the necessary studies to execute the programme and to provide funds for development projects in the chosen regions. Contacts were also made with the International Trade Center (I.T.C) and the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) who agreed to cooperate and help in making the Sudan Organic Agricultural Programme becomes fact.
The ultimate goal of all this is to connect the programme with three important dimensions namely :
1- Agricultural: The farmers produce the organic crops in their own land using funds provided by the specialized banks.
2- Commercial: The fund–providing banks together with the international companies which acquire the license to market organics products will play the role of marketing these products.
3- Developmental: International organizations e.g., FAO, CFC, ITC, etc. would provide funds to execute projects suggested for the development of the selected regions.
C- The selected regions :
It is agreed that regions chosen for organic agriculture will be specialized in production of crops for export only, e.g. sesame, groundnuts, sorghum, Roselle hemp (kerkade), gum arabic, guar gum in addition to livestock raising. In the Northern Kordofan region, farmers grouped into many co-operative Societies agreed to cultivate organic products in their own land following the traditional rotation practice.
The selected regions for organic food production under traditional and mechanized rain-fed practices, proposed areas and expected production of crops chosen are shown on (Table –1) .
Table (1)
Proposed Regions, Areas, Crops and
Expected Production
which of the following is not a benefit of organic food production techniques
which of the following statements about organic food production is true
disadvantages of organic food production
environmental benefits of organic food production
problems with organic food production
advantages of organic food production
history of organic food production
a review on organic food production in malaysia
define organic food production
consumer perception of organic food production and farm animal welfare
No Selected region Area Proposed for O.A, (feds) Crops cultivated (O.A.) and Expected production (inTons).
Gum Arabic Sesame Sorghum kerkade Guar gum
1 Northern Kordofan State 696000 11.000 10.000 ----- 5000 -----
2 Sinnar State 400.000 5000 10000 10.000 ----- 5000
Total 1096.000 16.000 20.000 10.000 5000
5000
The above-proposed area in Northern Kordofan State is very small compared to the available land, which can be utilized for organic crop production under traditional rain-fed cultural practice. If funds become available, the area can be increased to more than 5 million feddans (1.20 million hectares). Production of these crops can also be increased tremendously both horizontally and vertically using technological packages.
The area proposed in Sinnar State to be cultivated under mechanized rain-fed system can also be increased by 50.000 feddans under irrigated system. This means organic crop production can be increased by more than one hundred times if funds become available.
In the River Nile State, an area of 500.000 feddans is also proposed to be under irrigated system for production of organic food.
D- Current Situation of the programme:
1- An investment company, to administrate and organize organic agriculture for production of organic products in Sudan has been established under the name “Organic Product Co. Ltd, Sudan”.
2- Official applications written by the international companies to the authorities of the three chosen regions has been presented and accepted with the consent of Farmers Unions, the Regional Ministers of Agriculture and the farmers concerned with all the blessing of the federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
3- The international organizations concerned with certification of products cultivated in Sudan as “Organic” started a programme of analyzing these products, in order to offer the necessary certificates. The programme of analysis started first with Sinnar State and finally the Nile River State. A team of experts representing these organizations visited Sudan and all expenses of their visit and registration fees were paid by the international companies.
E- Rural Development of the Proposed Regions of the Programme :
The regions proposed for production of organic agricultural products are rural areas where basic services are badly needed. In this respect, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture officially asked FAO to present projects for the development of these areas. In order to fulfill this goal, a technical working team was proposed to be formed by FAO to prepare these technical projects with respect to crop production, marketing and integrated agricultural services. FAO agreed and allotted US$ 20.000 for this purpose and formed the technical working team. In these regions the on-going situation of the programme is moving fast as the international companies in concern agreed to pay all expenses needed to carry out the studies for production of organic agricultural foods. They also agreed to pay expenses needed for certification of all these products cultivated as “Organic”.
The only essential part left in the programme is to finance farmers to start organic food production, so that Sudan can catch up with the fast moving global train of organic food production.