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

2 nd AFRICAN ORGANIC CONFERENCE 2012
May 2-4, 2012 in Lusaka, Zambia
of the organic-agro-ecosystem have been misunderstood. This has always resulted into prescribing wrong
solutions to existing problems and hence the failure for the system to meet our expectations.
A system consists of parts, processes and interactions. There is a complexity of interactions with which
components and processes are interrelated. A break down in one component of the system results into the
whole system being at standstill.
The complexity of a system means a multiplicity of objectives which have to be realized. Therefore, if the
system is to be well understood, there is need for an interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral, and multicultural
analysis. This would then imply input from a whole variety of disciplines in order to understand better the
complete system, (Paper for the workshop and policy round table on agro ecosystem services, 2007).
Even for scholarly work, the goal in agriculture would include developing a richer understanding of the
essential human endeavor and analyzing potential for interventions into any current practice. Such
interventions are motivated by a great diversity of issues for example, less pollution, greater resource
efficiency, more stable production, greater social equity (Conway, 1985).further in his study on “Agro
ecosystem analysis”, Conway(1985), went ahead to show agro ecosystems as a framework for study of
farming endeavors, connecting both the concept of the agro ecosystem and its analysis, leading towards
systems thinking. The idea of a system is presented as a group of interacting components, operating
together for a common purpose, capable of reacting as a whole to external stimuli. Take the case of the
national park with grassland, trees, animals and the road, all co-existing and bringing about a mutual
existence.
This paper examines the best way to comprehensively understand the organic agro-ecosystem to design
appropriate solutions to existing problems and increase the sectors performance.
A system consists of parts, processes and interactions. There is a complexity of interactions with which
components and processes are interrelated. A break down in one component of the system results into the
whole system being at standstill.
ORGANISING&AND&MARKETING&OF&GHANAIAN&SMALL&SCALE&&
FARMER’S&PRODUCTS&IN&EUROPE&
PATRICK DEEGBE
Wad African foods limited Ghana
Abstract
Wad is the acronym of Weija agricultural development limited, the company is an associative enterprise; it
works exclusively with small scale farmers from the rural areas in Ghana. The company started in the year
2000 and made its first export in 2001. The main export markets are Switzerland and Germany. Wad
African foods limited exports both fresh and dry organic pineapple, mango, papaya and coconut. The
company processed its own dry organic products.
The company supports its farmers in organic training and certification. The areas where Wad organic
farmers can be found are Ekumfi Atwia for pineapples Somanya for mangoes, Mepon from papaya and
Kwanyarko for coconut. The soil and climatic conditions are good for the cultivation of the said crops in
those regions.
In 2006 the company collaborated with FAO in a project with reference “FAO project GCP/404/RAF/GER
Increasing incomes and food security of small farmers in West and Central Africa through exports of
organic and fair-trade tropical products”
The collaboration resulted in a significant increase in the quantities of products purchase from the company
partner farmers and its exports. The company is building a new facility to meet the increasing demand of its
products.
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BOOK OF ABSTRACTS