The project will commission capacity-building studies prepared by international and national experts on key issues identified in the course of previous consultations and activities focused on OA in the three countries. The studies will be focused on providing relevant stakeholders in these countries with essential information and analysis in the promotion of OA production and trading opportunities. At present the following studies are foreseen:
1. Overview of the current state of organic agriculture in East Africa and opportunities for regional harmonization (Kick off study)
This initial study will give an overview of the current status of the organic sector and relevant policies in the three East African countries. It will also examine the harmonization movement in these countries as well as the feasibility and impact of a regional East African standard.
2. What developing country Governments can do to promote production and trade in organic agriculture
This study will identify best practices and lessons learnt, particularly regarding effective and efficient government policies and actions, in promoting production of and trade in organic agricultural products in developing countries. Examples of national experiences in countries around the world will be used as evidentiary support.
3. Organic agriculture and food security in Africa
This study will examine the relationship between organic agriculture and food security in Africa. Data permitting, it will also look into agricultural productivity and yields of traditional, conventional, and organic agriculture in Africa ?Other studies envisaged include a study on trading opportunities for organic products from East Africa.
2. National integrated assessments of organic agriculture
National integrated assessments of organic agriculture will be undertaken
in Kenya, the Republic of Tanzania and Uganda. The assessments will build
upon studies and other work already carried out. Main components of the
national assessment studies could include:
- overview of current state of the national organic sector
- identification of main actors/stakeholders
- review of current agricultural, trade, environmental, financial and other national policies impacting the organic agricultural sector, including a description of those impacts
- development of policy options for promoting the organic agricultural sector
- assessment of the potential environmental, social and economic impact of implementing these policy options, including potential impacts to income generation, food security, protection of traditional knowledge, sustainable trade promotion, and poverty reduction.
- identification of further public awareness, training and capacity-building requirements for policy-makers, producers, exporters and consumers
The three national assessment studies are being carried out, led by
national institutions (e.g. academic institutions, think-tanks or non-governmental
organizations), who have been designated by, and work in close cooperation
with, relevant national government ministries, such as the ministries
of agriculture, environment, trade and development. The national institutions
are responsible for facilitating the overall implementation of the assessment
studies, including organizing workshops and consultations, etc.
For each of the country projects, National Steering Committees will be
established to identify the main issues and concerns to be addressed,
to define methodologies to be followed, and to provide guidance on responding
to the outcome of the integrated assessment initiatives.
The integrated assessment studies will be launched at national workshops
that could include training seminars for project partners on integrated
assessment methodologies. The national workshops will also provide a forum
for the participation of relevant stakeholders, including farmers, local
community organizations, organic agricultural associations, non-government
organizations, the private sector, and others. Stakeholder involvement
is a critical component of the assessments. A regional workshop will also
be convened to ensure cohesion between the three national assessments
and to allow partners to discuss successes and constraints to implementation.
A synthesis report will be developed summarizing the results of the assessment
studies, outlining the national policy options and suggesting future activities.
Finally, a regional/international workshop will be convened to allow the
assessment study project participants to present the results to a wider
audience.
- Integrated Assessment of Organic Agriculture Production and Trade in Kenya The lead government agency for the assessment is the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and the designated institution is Bridge Africa.
- Integrated Assessment of Organic Agriculture Production and Trade in Tanzania The lead government agency for the assessment is the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the designated institution is Envirocare.
- Integrated Assessment of Organic Agriculture Production and Trade
in Uganda The lead government agency for the assessment is the Uganda
Export Promotion Board and the designated institution is Advocates Coalition
for Development and (ACODE).
As trade becomes increasingly globalised, government policy needs to make greater use of market-based incentives for resource management.
Through the activities of this research project, the government of Indonesia seeks to more effectively manage its natural and environmental resources using economic instruments while enhancing its competitiveness in international markets through an improved environmental image.
The project will involve cooperation between the IME, other government institutions, universities, NGOs, and major stakeholder groups in the private sector. It will result in the publication of a report -- a country case study outlining the opportunities, benefits, challenges and costs of wider use of economic instruments at the national level and an identification and discussion of implications for Indonesia's international trade relations.
This report will become a resource tool for the CBTF to support country projects, policy dialogue activities and it will be disseminated as a reference source through the CBTF networking and information exchange mechanisms.domain.
August 2005, Regional Steering Committee Meeting back to back with Integrated Assessment Training
September 2005, National launches in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda
September 2005, Meeting of the Regional Technical Working Group
November 2005, Subregional Workshop
.
The Export Promotion of Organic Products from Africa (EPOPA) programme: www.epopa.info
The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM): www.ifoam.org
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO): www.fao.org/organicag