I have the final recommendations for adoption in the SAARC nations in our way forward for organic agriculture inscribed in the lines below. My 2 days experience of being a Rapporteur had me acquainted to assimilating and reflecting the points of discussion. However, this is not final as there is a span of a month allotted for it to undergo amendments or to include points if any before finally endorsing it for adoption.
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| Participants at Rochogpel Hotel Conference Hall. |
1. SAARC Organic
standards and certification system should be developed in line with the
existing policies and standards of SAARC nations. SAC, Dhaka should initiate a
plan to implement this recommendation.
2.Each SAARC nation should develop a Model Organic Village
using the proposed SAARC standards.
3.Each SAARC country should have a focal point expert
through governing board member of the respective country for seamless information
exchange on research & development related to organic agriculture including
the technologies, packages of practices and farm-level success stories. An
information exchange system should be developed by SAC, Dhaka to share the
information received from the focal points.
4. Considering the contribution of organic agriculture to
safe food, health of soil and people and environment, the organic
growers/movement should be suitably supported with better incentives to enhance
the percolation of Organic farming in member nations. While providing incentives, the conversion period should be taken care with appropriate policies
if yield declines.
5. It is noted that the status of Organic agriculture in education, Research
& Development in the member nations are in infancy stage. Hence, adequate
allocation of human, financial and physical resources to Organic agricultural
education in the form of degrees, basic and applied research infrastructure for
research and development in all the countries is required.
6. Country specific model should be prepared for safe and secure food.
The model proposed by India having the components of scientific Organic Agriculture
in default organic areas and towards organic approach having integrated
management with non-pesticide use can be adopted. This will compliment the safe
food production. SAC, Dhaka can synthesize the model for SAARC region.
7. Conversion period should be crop and area specific
depending on the nature of the crop and land use history. This should be noted
while making the sub-standards.
8. In the national agricultural census, there is a need to
include information on the organic farming. The data should be shared with the
member nations through SAC, Dhaka for
creating better markets.
9. Inputs for organic farming should be generated through
government-controlled mechanisms to ensure quality of inputs.
10. To capture high end domestic market in the region,
potential OA zones should be identified and be named as special OA system zone.
This zones can also be made as agro-ecotourism centre for attracting the
nature-loving tourists. Tax holidays for private sector investor who will
invest in the zone can be considered. This zone should be panned in such a way
that all requirements of inputs, certification, processing and packing are met
within the zone itself.
11. Strategy to lead at least one component of OA by SAARC
nation should be developed. Each member states could lead Research &
Development in specific components( Bio-pesticides, Bio-fertilizers, crop
varieties, packing areas, etc.)
12. Inter-ministerial coordination among agriculture, health
and environment is essential to promote organic agriculture.
13.Free flow of organic commodities among the member
countries should be allowed under SAARC organic standard.
Research &Development:
14. Organic Agriculture
is constrained mainly due to lack of
practical solutions to weed, pest and disease management practices in all the
SAARC member countries. Hence there should be a network of research among SAARC nations to address the issues at
the cross country level. In the process, the indigenous practices adopted by the farmers should also
be documented and shared.
15. Cross-country capacity building program including
training of Researchers, Extension functionaries, farmers and other relevant
stakeholders among member nations should be developed and coordinated by SAARC.
16. SAARC regional level recognition for researchers,
extension functionaries and farmers involved in organic farming by providing
award and certificates.
17. Periodic/annual review of the progress over this
recommendation will be made by SAC, Dhaka and disseminate to member nations.
