The Export Development Board (EDB) is in the process of preparing a national database on organic agriculture and will take measures to prepare a national Organic Agriculture Policy in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture shortly, Director General, EDB, Jeevani Siriwardena told a networking session in Colombo recently.
“The preparation of a database of organic research in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Economic Agriculture, Universities and research institutes will be an important step to develop this sector which has become a world trend,” she said.
The EDB conducted a forum on the theme ‘Creating the next generation of local entrepreneurs – be an export champion’ to promote an entrepreneurial culture among the emerging exporters, so as to drive economic growth.
“The organic agricultural sector is not regulated at present. We will be exploring the possibility of preparing regulations for the Sri Lankan organic sector. This will lay guidelines and give credibility to organic produce of the country in the global market,” she said. The regulations will be introduced by integrating with the international organic regulatory bodies to ensure proper standards and quality assurance aspects are adhered to.
Among the other initiatives taken by the EDB to promote organic farming in Sri Lanka are to prepare publicity material on organic agriculture and conduct regional awareness programs.
“We will conduct programs to train the farmers as trainers on organic agriculture production to ensure proper standards are met according to the global requirements and will award organic certification accordingly.
Measures will also be taken to ensure a credible organic products supply, through farmer cluster certification to enable mass production,” she said.
The EDB also will extend support to develop value-added food products such as mushrooms where sausages and pate could be made. This will improve the value chain and consumers will have a better opportunity to purchase different products.
Action will be taken to upgrade products, the production process, technology, and increase market access to help producers.
Among the other aspects the EDB is looking at are building of B2B linkages, and acquisition of new technology for the agriculture sector as a whole.