The 2nd African Organic Conference – Mainstreaming ... - ICROFS

2 nd AFRICAN ORGANIC CONFERENCE 2012
May 2-4, 2012 in Lusaka, Zambia
highly vulnerable to climate change and land degradation. Some recent activities implemented in the
framework of the Organic for Africa! include:
• The International Conference 'Ecological Organic Agriculture: The Alternative for Africa' held at
the UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2011.
• The IFOAM advocacy activities at the United Nations Climate Change conference in Durban in
December 2011.
• High profile advocacy event at the BioFach Congress on ‘Addressing Hunger – What Can We
Do?’ featuring the World Food Program, UNCCD and leading development, training and
extension organizations from the organic movement in February 2012
The presentation will introduce IFOAM’s Organic for Africa! Initiative, present its key activities and
illustrate the comprehensive range strategic advocacy activities aimed at elevating organic agriculture as a
key tool in the transition of agriculture in Africa.
NETWORK&ORGANIZATION&OF&ORGANIC&VALUE&CHAINS&IN&KENYA’S&TOURISM&
INDUSTRY&
MR. JOSPHAT NJENGA, PROF. EDWARD G. KARURI, DR. JONATHAN NZUMA,
DR. JOHN WANGOH AND PROF. RAPHAEL WAHOME
Network organization/ governance constitute a distinct form of coordination of economic activities thereby
improving efficiency and reduction in agency problems for organizations. Network organization along the
value chain has an important role in agribusiness and marketing. There is inadequate data about the
networks in the organic value- chains in Kenya since no empirical study had been conducted. The present
study was designed to analyze the networks for organic foods value- chains for the tourist sector. From the
analysis, the weak links in the networks will be identified and appropriate measures taken to strengthened
since the strength of the network depends on the weakest link. This study was conducted using a survey.
Snowball sampling design was used and the data collected using semi structured questionnaires during the
interviews. The data was analysed using Ucinet Version 6. From the analysis, linkages amongst training
and sector support groups were found to be weak links with centrality degrees of 38.462. Furthermore, their
frequencies of interactions are minimal hence inefficiencies in the sector. Retailers have the highest
centrality degree of 92.308, followed by the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network with 76.923. The organic
value chain network centralization is 47.337%. These results indicate that that the sector is not adequately
networked. The study recommended that trade and sector support groups be strengthened since this was a
notable weakness in the chain. Retailers have high degree of centrality; they have adequate knowledge of
all the opportunities and operations in the sector. They could therefore be used to strenghten the network
and rules designed to govern them to prevent exploitation of farmers by paying them very little.
Keywords: Organic agriculture, Network, Value chain
EVALUATION&OF&THE&TRACEABILITY&SYSTEMS&IN&THE&ORGANIC&VALUE:&CHAINS&IN&
KENYA&
MR. JOSPHAT NJENGA, PROF. EDWARD G. KARURI, DR. JONATHAN NZUMA,
DR. JOHN WANGOH AND PROF. RAPHAEL WAHOME
One of the reasons for imperfections in organic produce markets is presence of information asymmetry.
Such attributes can result in market failure due to a lack of credible transfer of information along the value
chain. Analysis of food supply chain traceability is through the analyses of the “track” and “trace” systems.
Effective information exchange and traceability is the key to improving value chain performance and
competitiveness in today’s complex and rapidly changing environment. The present study was conducted to
assess the traceability systems along organic foods value- chains. The study was conducted using a survey
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