Development of Organic Farming and its Mechanism in Global South: A Case Study in Sri Lanka Daichi Kohmoto Hiroshima Univ.

(%) No data Few comprehensive studies have been carried out on the development of OF in developing countries under the global food system Proportion of organic areas in agricultural areas in each countries (Yussefi and Willer, 2004)

Objective To examine the development of organic farming (OF) and clarify its mechanism in Global South under the global food system.

Organic Farming Originally developed as a typical alternative to the mainstream global food supply system and productivism Expected to be an environmentally, socially, and economically just and sustainable farming method Rural dev. & Env. conservation

Why in Sri Lanka? 1. The government and companies have positive attitudes toward the export of organic products 2. OF has been introduced in two agricultural sectors Plantations 　　　　ex. Tea estates Small farmers　 　　　　ex. Agro-forestry … typical in Global South 3. The small scale of the country 　Suitable for conducting research on a national scale

Sri Lankan Agriculture Changes in Cultivation Areas of Major Crops Source: Min. of Agriculture (-1994), Dept. of Census and Statistics (1995-).

Changes in Sources of Foreign Exchanges in SL Source: “Economic and Social Statistics of Sri Lanka” (various issues), Central Bank of Sri Lanka, etc.

Altitude

Development of OF in SL >28 >8 >10 >39

Development of OF in Tea Estates World-first certified organic tea estate in 1986 Cultivated and processed by 9 companies (5 are dealing with only organic) Mainly in Up-country Exporting to GER, USA, JPN, AUS, FRA …

Stassen Natural Food (Pvt) Ltd. Idulgashinna Bio Tea Garden

Export amount of Stassen Natural (Pvt) Ltd. by countries in 2003

Organizing small organic farmers groups Distribution of the groups - Close to Airport & Colombo - Some are in less-favored areas HQs are in Colombo (incl. dealers) Spice, Coconut, Fruits etc. Exporting to GER, UK, JPN, USA, FRA, AUS, NEL…

Tropical Health Food (Pvt) Ltd. Established by Dutch with SLn farmers in 1995 Cultivating 15 spices by OF method Processing Pineapple juice, Mango juice, Dried fruits, Coconut mix etc.

Organizing 26 Small holder farmer units (414 farmers) 1. Selecting production areas characterized by “organic in default” 2. Negotiating with local farmers 3. Contraction Certified by a Dutch organic certification body “Skal” 　　⇒Skal established a branch in Colombo 　　⇒Certified 21 companies in SL Exporting to Netherland & Germany

Actors and Interrelationships in OF in Global South Organic certification from Industrialized countries for Exports Actors and Interrelationships in OF in Global South Location pattern …Convenience for exporting, Less-favored areas (Some) Industrialized Consumers Countries Certification Bodies Buyers Int’l. Orgs. Agri - business NGOs Small farmers’ groups Plantations Gvt . Small Farmers Global South Estate Workers ex. Sri Lanka 26

NGOs Activities >39NGOs - Rural development NGOs - Environmental NGOs - Integrated typed NGOs - Agr. specific typed NGOs Whole island (X Colombo, LTTE controlling areas) Veg., Rice, Fruits, Spice etc. Mainly for domestic consumption with no certifications

Established in 1977

“Rural development through the promotion of OF” from 1986

Financial assistance - Helvetas (Switzerland) - Hivos (Netherland) etc.

Neo-Synthesis Research Centre 1982 – Env. Restoration & Promotion of OF “Forest Garden Products” certification

Problem is in the marketing ⇒One SLn company exporting spice (2000 -) Technical cooperation with SLn & South Asian NGOs Financial assistance AusAID (Australia) AFAP (Australia) USAID (USA) UNDP-GEF

Global South ex. Sri Lanka Promoting OF for Rural development & Env. reasons Location of NGO offices and Crops promote …Diverse A few NGO are active in OF promotion …Support by Int’l. Orgs Industrialized Consumers Countries Certification Bodies Buyers Int’l. Orgs. Agri - business NGOs Small farmers’ groups Plantations Gvt . Small Farmers Global South Estate Workers ex. Sri Lanka 26

Support from the Government Gov. had been negative toward OF 　 …Subsidizing Chemical fertilizer & Low input agr. 1/18 major policies in “National Policy on Agr. & Livestock 2003-2010” 　↑- Expanding the market =Increasing opportunities for export 　　 - Lobbying activities by NGOs Tea Research Institute R&D for organic cultivation method for tea Test growing of organic tea together with plantation estates

Export Development Board Marketing of organic products providing the information Participation to international exhibitions of organic /natural foods by organizing a Sri Lankan companies’ group Min. of Env., Min. of Agr., and domestic NGOs Establishment of an original organic certification system in 2006

Global South ex. Sri Lanka Development of OF in SL has been Endogenous to some extent OF in the South will continue to develop depending on exports Gvt., which promoted Green Revolution, has changed its attitude toward OF Public benefit actors need to give priority to promoting OF in env. sensitive areas and socio-economically less-favored areas Industrialized Consumers Countries Certification Bodies Buyers Int’l. Orgs. Agri - business NGOs Small farmers’ groups Plantations Gvt . Small Farmers Global South Estate Workers ex. Sri Lanka 26

Thank you for your attention.