When I refer to the term organic, most people will be quick to interrelate it with health and environment, and they are infallible in these cases as these terms and organic are used interchangeably. “Organic” has evolved as a social movement, which has pervaded across different parts of the world to redefine the way of the agro-chemical dominant production system. No doubt, organic farming in contemporary times has evolved as a hot topic for international debate which is aimed at strengthening the sustainability of agricultural and food systems. Also, an increase in consumer consciousness of healthy lifestyles and attachment to environmentally friendly practices have supplemented consumer’s attention in eating organic. The whim of the term “organic” also has equally permeated the consumers of Nepal searching for quality food products but with this, the bigger question arises if the consumers in Nepal are really getting organic food products, or are being deceived by the mis-presentation of the term?
The history of the use of agrochemicals to intensify agricultural production was merely introduced in the early 1950s in Nepal. Till then, it was believed that the traditional farming practices were adhered by the local farmers aligning with a few core values and principles of organic farming. Most people in Nepal have a misbelief about backyard farming or other organic fertilizers to make the product completely organic in terms of production. It might be true to some extent, however, organic farming techniques are an overarching idea of protection of the environment, climate, long term fertility of soils, creation of a non-toxic environment, encouraging the protection of rare breeds, fostering the development of short supply chain, crop-rotation, animal welfare and many more. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM - Organics International), which is an umbrella organization governing and assisting organic farming describes it as a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems, and people. In line with that, organic agriculture envisages four major principles: health, ecology, fairness, and care.
Attraction of organic farming in Nepal
If we go by the names of the agricultural firms registered in Nepal carrying the term “Organic” and self-proclamation, it should give you a general idea of how the organic farming system might have been thriving in the country. However, quite the opposite is the situation observed as per the report released by FiBL statistics, which shows how the proportion of organic farming plummeted in the year 2021 in comparison to 2020. The reports show the land area covered by organic farming dropped by a staggering 73.9% with Nepal just having 2448 ha of land officially recognized as organic certified by both participatory guarantee system and internal control system, which is a mere 0.06% of the total agricultural land of Nepal, notably less than the Asian average of 0.4%. This indirectly questions the self-proclamation of different food products being organic and alludes if the term, “organic” has been falsely presented to mislead consumers. The claims on having organic produce might be true, however, they need to be validated by the relevant control or certification bodies, which is not that efficient in the context of Nepal.
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Certification bodies and standards
As the term “organic” has been widely publicized due to its increasing reputation locally and globally, most of the free-riders have been jumping onto the bandwagon, misleading and miscommunicating the information to the public. This act of misleading the consumers dilutes the efforts and reputation put forth by the bonafide producers who are still continuing to produce organic products without organic certification. It is an undeniable fact that most of the hill and mountain agriculture system coincides with the organic farming principles. However, a nationwide plan and systemic approach is mandatory in this case to regulate the term “organic” and educate the consumers. In Nepal, the National Organic Agriculture Accreditation Body (NOAAB) and National Coordination Committee for Organic Agriculture Production and Processing System (NCCOAPPS) have been set up to create a conducive environment for organic agriculture to prosper.
However, despite all of the efforts, the numbers contradict all the efforts made till date which is dissatisfying. A national organic standard also has been institutionalized which has been guiding the process of organic products or farm registration in the country. Organic Certification Nepal (OCN) is the only functioning body at present, which has been assigned the tasks of certifying organic farms or products in Nepal. Apart from this, there are multifarious foreign private certification bodies like Ecocert, CERES, USDA Organics, OneCert, NASAA, IMO, and ICEA which have been accredited by their national standard and also international credibility that has been taking up the opportunity to certify Nepali agriculture and processed food products as officially “organic”. However, this certification process is often expensive.
Existing market and solutions
Different researchers have pointed to an increase in the willingness of the consumers to pay premium prices for organic products especially in the urban areas. Further, some other scholars have disputed claims to this, as modern consumers perceive organic products to be premium and don’t participate in purchasing organic products as they estimate them to be more export-oriented products. As the pocket size of farming in Nepal is small due to the preponderance of smallholder farming, most of the farmers practicing organic farming are not attracted to certification due to high certification costs and tedious conversation and documentation process.
However, some of the producers with the support of INGOs advocating organic farming and provisioning the required technical support and assistance have shown a greater interest in certifying their products with international certifying agencies due to their wider outreach and acclamation. The government also in its latest annual budgeting plan for the year 2023/24, has asserted its aim to promote organic farming and also develop mechanisms to financially support organic farming in Nepal. The problem in the Nepali certification system is deeply trenched. However, it can be solved. Initially, the main primary thing to be done is to develop a nationwide policy regarding farming and certification, strengthen the capacity of the certification body, and make aware the producers of the benefits of registering with the labeling scheme.
Also, it is paramount to revamp the existing standard in line with other international certification bodies, such that the national registration could easily assist the Nepali products to have international equivalence in developed countries. A national wide logo should then be implemented, communicated, and made aware to the consumers. Furthermore, specific support should be provided to the farmers who want to certify their product as organic in terms of extension services, and subsidies in inputs such that the production costs can be brought to the level where domestic consumers could easily access the biologically produced products.
