Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

Section 8 • Organic Vegetable Product Certification Process and Marketing Strategies
Third-party verification is the only verification process for organic agriculture that issues a
certificate. It was first instituted in the 1970’s by organic farming groups that first developed
organic standards. In the early years, farmers inspected one another on a voluntary basis,
according to a general set of standards. Today third-party certification is a much more formal
process. Third party verification system is done by a party without direct interest in the economic
relationship between the supplier and buyer. Certification is the formal and documented
procedure by which a third party assures that the organic standards are followed. And this
leads to consumers’ trust in the organic production system and the products. Certification gives
organic farming a distinct identity and credibility and makes market access easier through
posting of organic mark on product labels 273 .
In FFS, innovative experiences in instituting organic guarantee system that maintains and assures
quality of organic vegetable products must be shared among farmers to further improve their
productivity and profitability. The foregoing exercise was specifically designed to achieve this
purpose.
How long will this exercise take?
• Two hours for field visit to some community-based farmer-producers, where organic guarantee
system (e.g., first and/or third party verification) for organic vegetable products is appropriately
demonstrated (optional for FFS).
• Thirty minutes for mini-workshop in small groups; and
• At least one hour for participatory discussion in big group.
learning objectives
• To discuss participants’ problems, issues, and concerns affecting different organic guarantee
system (e.g., first and/or third party verification) followed in their production system for organic
vegetable products and how will they be addressed and how these are addressed; and
• To develop strategies for improving organic guarantee system (e.g., first and/or third party
verification) between farmer-producers and consumers of organic vegetable products to
increase farmers’ incomes.
methodology
• Field visit, mini-workshop, and brainstorming
273 Limpin, L.R.K. 2009. Organic Standards and Certification. Documents prepared for PCARRD’s Training Manual on Organic Agriculture in the
Philippines, Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP), 78-B Dr. Lazcano St., Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City. pp. 15-20.
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