APEC Project Database

Project Title

The Approach of Organic Agriculture: New Markets, Food Security and a Clean Environment

Project Year

2009

Project Number

ATC 02 2009A

Project Session

Not Applicable

Project Type

Standard

Project Status

Completed Project

Project No.

ATC 02 2009A

Project Title

The Approach of Organic Agriculture: New Markets, Food Security and a Clean Environment

Project Status

Completed Project

Fund Account

APEC Support Fund

Sub-fund

ASF: General Fund

Project Year

2009

Project Session

Not Applicable

APEC Funding

76,000

Co-funding Amount

13,700

Total Project Value

89,700

Sponsoring Forum

Agricultural Technical Cooperation Working Group (ATCWG)

Topics

Agriculture

Committee

SOM Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (SCE)

Other Fora Involved

Not Applicable / Other

Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved

Not Applicable

Proposing Economy(ies)

Thailand

Co-Sponsoring Economies

Australia; China; Chinese Taipei

Expected Start Date

01/01/2009

Expected Completion Date

31/12/2010

Project Proponent Name 1

Assist. Prof. Dr. Apiradee Uthairatanakij

Job Title 1

Head of Suistanable Agriculture, Centre for Research and Development of Tropical and Subtropical Crops

Organization 1

King Mongkut’s University of Technology

Telephone 1

662-4707724

Email 1

apiradee.uth@kmutt.ac.th

Project Proponent Name 2

Dr. Kullanart Obsuwan

Job Title 2

Project Secretariat

Organization 2

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University

Telephone 2

Not Applicable

Email 2

kulanart@hotmail.com; kulanart@su.ac.th

Declaration

Not Applicable

Project Summary

APEC economies are now facing difficult challenges in the economic development and protection of the environment. The competitiveness of the world market is resulting in a demand for higher-value and safer products. A concept and policy measure is necessary to assess and reconcile issues in agriculture to gain the utmost benefit to the APEC region. The proposed symposium on ‘Organic Agriculture’ will promote ecological, social and economic development among APEC members The establishment of a strong organic industry in the region is a way to promote high value niche-markets. The development of organic agriculture increases the ability of the domestic agriculture sector to be less reliant on external inputs and provides a sustainable system of food production, essential for strengthening regional food security. The emphasis is on the quality of agricultural products such as minimizing the use of imported chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In sum, the goals of this symposium are to promote organic farming systems and to recognize the international trade opportunities.

This project will cover the following topics:

· Organic Crop production and how to enhance their productivity

· Quality of organic products and how to improve their quality

· International and regional Regulations

· Postharvest Handling System of organic products and how to reduce their
postharvest losses etc.

· How organic agriculture help the worlds by reducing energy use and chemical
contamination of the environment

The goal of the project is:

To promote the potential of organic agricultural systems, and to develop high value niche-markets among the developing APEC economies

This symposium will offer a platform to all APEC economies and will further link with the Vietnam project (Development of organic agriculture in terms of APEC food system and market access). The working group will invite representatives from APEC economies interested in the organic farming Industry including lecturers, researchers, extension staff, policy makers from both public and private sectors as well as students and farmers that are involved in the fields of research, extension and business to:

¨ Exchange information and experience about the current levels of production and
marketing of organic crops such as vegetable and rice among APEC member
economies.

¨ Improve the knowledge base and performance of trade and food safety for the
production of organic vegetables and organic rice.

¨ Develop a network of organic farming researchers and private industry leaders to
create high value niche-markets for organic produce among APEC economies.

This symposium will be held in August 2009, Bangkok, Thailand (Duration of Meeting : 3 days).

Relevance

This project fully responds to the aims of global and region organizations.

…From a global perspective the “United Nations stated that fears of global food insecurity have returned with a vengeance. Global food reserves were at their lowest level in thirty years and that the world must act quickly to prevent shortages.” In terms of solutions, the Food and Agriculture Organization is “looking at issues ranging from farming methods and how to provide farmers with low-cost feed and fertilizer, to export tariffs that create bottlenecks in the food” (APEC E-Newsletter/ May, vol. 16). …

These issues have been continually stated during the APEC ministerial meetings.

The theme "STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY, BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE" was the centerpiece of THE 19th APEC MINISTERIAL MEETING 2007 in Sydney, Australia. The APEC meeting in Australia indicated that while “The Asia-Pacific region remains the engine of world growth,” to maintain this momentum it has to deal with issues related to trade imbalances, demographic changes, the environment, energy, and food safety. The APEC meeting highlighted that the implementation of food safety is cross-cutting among APEC and ATCWG, and that food safety will continue to play a role in the food markets.

The current proposal thus aims to improve organic production and trade, which has the potential to produce sufficient organic food with a high value, safety, and quality. In addition, organic agriculture is particularly well suited for those rural communities that are currently most exposed to food shortages.

In order to push forward the APEC cooperative plan in trade liberalization we must support and strengthen the APEC economies by solving the problems on the limitations created by organic trade barriers currently determined by several different private sector standards and governmental regulations.

This conference will seek to have its participants gain a greater understanding of the scientific principles behind sustainable agriculture and organic farming, to counter the negative perceptions that some may have about organic farming. Negative perceptions about organic farming may be hindering its expansion in many regions. This conference will thus clarify key issues about the limitations, risks, and prospects for organic farming in APEC countries.

Objectives

Strategic goals for this symposium will be focused on:

¨        Exchange information and experience about the current levels of production
      and marketing of organic crops such as vegetables and rice among APEC
      member economies.

¨        Improve the knowledgebase and performance of trade and food safety for the
      production of organic crops.

¨        Develop a network of organic farming researchers and industry leaders to
      create high value niche-markets for organic produce among APEC economies.

Alignment

Beneficiaries and Outputs

- It dramatically reduces the farmers’ dependence on the use of external inputs. Pests and diseases are controlled by relying on naturally occurring products and by using both traditional as well as modern scientific production technologies, increasing both agricultural yields and disease resistance.

- Organic agriculture adheres to globally accepted principles of resource management, but the production techniques are implemented based on the local agro-ecological conditions including local socio-economic, climatic, and cultural settings. All APEC member economies wish to expand trade in organic agricultural products both amongst themselves and with non-APEC countries.

- Organic agriculture should be an integral part of any agricultural policy aiming for regional food security. Through its holistic nature, organic farming integrates habitat biodiversity, agro-biodiversity and soil and water conservation. Organic agriculture takes modern agricultural practices one step further by eliminating the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), resulting in not only improved human health, but also in a healthier fauna and flora associated with the farm environment.

- The conference will address how organic agriculture restores environmental balance while reducing the dependence on external inputs.

- Gender specific issues will be covered in all aspects of this project. The key role that women play to determine the successful development of organic industries, will highlight the central role that women play in promoting rural economic development, healthy families, and food security.

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5.1 Information of organic agriculture will be published in more than 100 articles.

5.2 Success of the symposium will be measured by an evaluation process, which will seek more than 100 participants’ feedback on the symposium and also will provide valuable knowledge in order to

· Conserve biodiversity and renewable resources (such as wildlife, soil and
water) on the farm and in the surrounding environment

· Increase yields of organic produce in low-input areas of the APEC region

· Increase annual farm income and/or reduce risk and production costs

· Promote long-term sustainability.

· Open and facilitate trade of organic products.

· Enhance the year-round health, well-being, and food security of rural
households by promoting a diverse, nutritious, and wholesome diet.

5.3 Exporters from developing countries will benefit from learning about best management practices concerning food safety issues which are becoming a rapidly important determinant to access export and retail markets.

5.4 Develop a network of organic farming researchers and industry leaders.

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A pre-conference survey will be given to invited participants from private and public sectors to identify particular knowledge gaps, commodities of interest, and other topics that they feel are limiting the expansion of the organic industry in APEC countries. In Thailand, we already have some private companies such organic seed companies, cooperative organic rice producers, supermarkets etc. as counterparts to help set up this symposium. Results from this survey will be used to prepare relevant sessions and provided to presenters so that they can cover these concerns in their presentations.

This symposium will also open more to womankind by recognizing their majority role in all organic food chain activities. All over the world, women play a key role in organic farming as they can produce the crop not only for their children but also to feed the world. Women, through their involvement in agriculture, provide the leadership to strengthen both the livelihood of their communities as well as the world at large. They are integral to build up the connection between the natural human environment at the family and community level and the advanced modern technical skills required to grow and market organic crops successfully. This symposium will actively recruit women to participate in all aspects of the proceedings, and will be truly dedicated to all women as they are integral to determine the success of the organic industry.

Dissemination

a. The nature of the target audience;

Target participants include personnel from academies, government, non-government institutions and private sector involved in the chain of organic agricultural production and supply in both import and export countries of the APEC

b. The form and content;

English language will be used throughout this symposium. The topic of presentation will be presented by keynote speakers, invited speakers and participants. All presented topics will be published in conference proceedings such as

·        Market status and potentials: The trends and status of the organic industry in
     Asia and APEC economies. Organic commodities with high demand in the
     national and international marketplace, rice, fruits and vegetables.

·        Promoting healthy agro-ecosystems: Key techniques to promote proper soil,
     water, and pest management in organic systems.

·        Postharvest management: Harvest, handling and shipment of organic
     products.

·        Food safety: International trade standards for organic food safety and health.

c. format (e.g. hard copies, floppy discs, internet uploading)
CD ROMs (with APEC copyright) provided upon request

d. number of copies for the publication;
100

e. a publicity plan for:

i) briefing the general or specialist media about key
components of the project;
Yes, public announcements including a brochure will be released on KMUTT and through the Silpakorn University website

ii) the promotion of sales or other dissemination of the final
product;

Yes.

Gender

In many APEC economies, women represent a large segment of the work-force. The planned activities for the project do not in any way discriminate against any gender, integrating the expertise and values of both men and women to achieve the desired outcomes. The organizers understand that different educational and extension approaches may be necessary to provide pertinent agricultural information in rural communities, whether the target audiences are female or males. For example, in some communities the female in the household may have a greater or equal role in the decision making process (such as what crops to grow, time of planting). Presenters with expertise in gender issues and rural development will be asked to address specific approaches to better design educational/extension programs targeted to females in the agricultural sector. Presentations with a gender perspective will include assessment of household needs, household goals (food security, health, economic), and educational programs targeted to female decision makers in the household.

Therefore, women will have the same opportunity as men to attend the symposium and both genders will participate freely in all aspects, from the planning, implementation, to evaluation phases. The symposium will invite as many women as possible who are working in areas related to organic agriculture to participate in all activities. Some presentations will also specifically address gender issues.

Due to sex-disaggregated data on the organic agriculture in Thailand is not available currently. Within the symposium module, the gender impact will be surveyed from the participants to gain the information and guidance on the development of organic agriculture and post-conference evaluation based on the surveys will be reported to all participants.

Furthermore involving women scientists in the project will raise their profile and provide opportunities to improve their skills in planning and managing programs that promote organic production, marketing, and research.

------------------------

The organic farming industry focuses on several issues that are of central importance to females in the community. The necessary base is referred as follows

· The close ties that exist between females and organic farming, will help to increase their social standing in their household and the community.

· Organic farming specifically addresses issues of food security (for the community and for the household); a wholesome and nutritious diet for the family, based on a diverse diet; health issues by consuming healthy food; and a healthy environment- all traits that are more likely to create a healthy environment to raise a healthy family.

· In addition, a central goal of organic farming is to reduce economic risk in the household, by promoting crop diversification in the farm, reducing the chances of economic failure in case that any one crop is lost to pests or diseases.

The benefits of organic farming for the community, including its many benefits to females and children in the household, will be emphasized in the different sessions.

Within the symposium modules, the central role that women play to determine the success of organic agriculture among the APEC economies will be addressed as follows:

·         The invited speakers will present ‘how women are a strong fundamental part of organic agriculture, involved in all aspects of the decision making process.

·          Outstanding women in the agricultural system among APEC economies will exchange ideas and experiences, which will facilitate the expansion of the organic industries, and identify educational programs that are gender-sensitive.

·          All presenters with expertise in gender issues and rural development will be asked to address specific approaches to better design educational/extension programs targeted to females in the agricultural sector. Presentations with a gender perspective will include assessment of household needs and goals (food security, health, economic), and educational programs targeted to female decision makers in the household.

·          The gender impact will be surveyed from the participants to gain feedback on the development of organic agriculture. The gender analysis between men and women will be assessed the situation of constraints, challenges and opportunities in order to meet the gender equality in the organic schemes from farm to trade. The information from this survey will be used to design follow-up educational, extension, and on-farm research programs, to promote the establishment of organic farming in communities of the APEC region.

Thus, this symposium will encourage all women and empower them as agents of change to help them establish organic system in their countries. The contribution of gender analysis within the presentations will increase networking among participants, to exchange experiences and to implement organic agricultural enterprises in the future. This is also included that depth study on significant themes such as women commitment in organic farm relating decision-making, economic management will be performed in the organic APEC communities in the prospect.

As part of this proposal, the P.O., project secretariat and the steering committee of the project are women. A minimum 40% of women will be invited to attend this symposium as experts, speakers and participants.

Work Plan

The methodology followed to implement this project will have two main objectives:

1. To conduct an international symposium for 100-150 participants engaged in organic farming and trading among APEC member economies. The activities are:

1.1 A meeting of the organizing committee will be the first activity for this symposium

1.2 First Announcement of the conference and preparation for the symposium

1.3 Second announcement to the target organizations, industry leaders, and farmers and preparation of background documents and others logistics for the symposium.

1.4 International Symposium will be held.

1.5 Draft of final reports and publication

2. To encourage establishment of a network of organic farming and trading scientists and industry leaders during the symposium.

This symposium will cover the following;

n Crop production

n Quality of organic products

n International and regional Regulations, Food Safety standards

n Postharvest Handling System of organic products

n Gender Perspective on organic agriculture

Timelines:

- Meeting of organizing committee and initial planning for symposium

- First announcement

- Contact expert/ keynote speakers/ participants

- Second announcement

- Hold the symposium

- Report preparation

- Publication of proceeding/ final report

January - February, 2009

March – May, 2009

April – June, 2009

June – July, 2009

August, 2009

October, 2009

December, 2009

All APEC member economies including active participants from the 11 eligible economies who are provided APEC financial support are expected to be the major participants of all criteria proposed in their symposium. Economies that implement organic farming includes Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, PNG, Philippines, USA Thailand and Vietnam. These APEC economies provide a good mixture of both agricultural agencies such as BioFach IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) and FAO organic agricultural program are expected y be key contributors given their strong experiences. Deliverables include their publications which can be able to

- Review of the latest relevant information from experts and personnel engaged in organic farming and trading to participants via oral and poster presentations

- Discussion about the feasibility of the development of the international organic farming and trading networks among the APEC member and non-members.

Risks

In case of insufficient prospected participants

·          The organizing committee will increase the degree of promotion and public relations prior to the conference registration time or perhaps extend the registration period.

·          This symposium will be designed to have a degree of flexibility, in terms of programmatic activities (presentations, field day activities), to allow for any unexpected events.

·          The timing and content of the presentations may be modified, based on the request of participants, or to allow for any unforeseen situation.

·          The organizers will convene regularly, to deal with all the presenters, to ensure that the presentations and educational materials meet the needs of the participants.

In case of not having enough major speakers or last minute cancellations, speakers from the reserve list will be appointed and arranegments made fo their participation.

Monitoring and Evaluation

1. Exchange information of research and commerce of organic agriculture among APEC member economies

Provide a forum for the scientific knowledge exchange among APEC member economies involved with organic production to improve and enhance the capacity of farmers, agricultural industries and government agencies etc.

Current status: Many farmers are aware that organic farming may have a higher risk of crop failures and tend to result in lower yields and inconsistent quality compared to conventional systems. However, new technologies are closing the quality and yield gap between organic and conventional systems, and the demand for organics continues to gradually increase.

End-of-project targets: The current proposal will increase participation and knowledge resulting in

· Minimize the negative perceptions of organic agriculture.

· Enhancing the techniques of organic crop cultivation in order to
improve yields and quality etc.

2. Promote the exchange of information of organic food safety and environmentally responsive

The exchange of information between scientists in public and private sectors to further technical cooperation will be encouraged in particular within the organic working groups of the APEC economies.

Current status: Deforestation and the massive uses of non-renewable resources contributes to global warming, destroys biodiversity, and results in other environmental impacts such as outbreak of pests, soil erosion etc.

End-of-project targets:

· Organic agriculture offers the potential for communities to reduce their dependence on external inputs such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides with minimal impacts on crop yields, while helping to protect and conserve the global ecosystem including its natural resources.

· Increasing awareness about the use of renewable natural wastes and resources

3. Develop a network among APEC members to promote high value niche-markets and trade in organic products

Current status: There is a high demand for organic products throughout the world. However the human capacity and physical infrastructure has not yet been fully developed in the APEC countries.

End-of-project targets:

· Increasing the movement and trade of organic food in the APEC
region

· Increasing harmonization to facilitate production and trade
between APEC members countries.

Linkages

This project has not consulted to any APEC fora but intends to have a quick action concept as follows:

The project’s goal have been cited in the Environmental Ministerial Meeting (APEC Business Leaders / Local Authorities Forum) held in Toronto, Canada on June 9-11, 1997 as follows

We, the Ministers responsible for Environment and Sustainable Development from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region commit to sustainable development as a fundamental objective to achieve human prosperity and a healthy environment.

At the meeting in Sydney, Australia on 9 September, 2007, leaders emphasized the importance of food safety in their annual statement. As a result it was agreed to "develop a more robust approach to strengthening food and consumer product safety standards, using scientific risk based approach, and without creating unnecessary impediments to trade". Moreover, the leaders agreed that "additional capacity building in this area is a priority".

-----------------------------

The objectives of the ATCWG are to enhance the capacity of the agriculture sector and associated industries to contribute to economic growth and social well being in the APEC region. This proposal fits into the terms of reference of the working group (ATCWG) which focuses on 7 areas. These are relevant to the aims of the proposed project including:

· Production, Processing, Marketing, Distribution and Consumption of Agricultural
Products

· Plant and Animal Quarantine and Pest Management

· Agricultural Technology Transfer and Training

· Sustainable Agriculture and Related Environmental Issues

Moreover, this symposium will complement and add to the Vietnam project “Development of organic agriculture in terms of APEC food system and market access”, resulting in cooperation between organic working groups.

Sustainability

Not Applicable

Direct Labour

Not Applicable

Are there any supporting document attached?

Project No.
Project Title
Project Status
Fund Account
Sub-fund
Project Year
Project Session
APEC Funding
Co-funding Amount
Total Project Value
Sponsoring Forum
Topics
Committee
Other Fora Involved
Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved
Proposing Economy(ies)
Co-Sponsoring Economies
Expected Start Date
Expected Completion Date
Project Proponent Name 1
Job Title 1
Organization 1
Telephone 1
Email 1
Project Proponent Name 2
Job Title 2
Organization 2
Telephone 2
Email 2
Declaration
Project Summary
Relevance
Objectives
Alignment
Beneficiaries and Outputs
Dissemination
Gender
Work Plan
Risks
Monitoring and Evaluation
Linkages
Sustainability
Direct Labour
Are there any supporting document attached?
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Content Type: Standard Proposal