Annex 4: Case study “Organic Farming” - ITAS

4. Technical potential for improvements – Case studies
Experience has shown that Organic Agriculture has competitive potential, also on economic
comparisons. The steadily deteriorating Terms of Trade - disproportional raising costs of
conventional production against stagnating or even decreasing producer prices – strengthened
this trend. Another aspect is the reduced drought-susceptibility of Organic Farming, particular
relevant for the fight against hunger in poor African regions.
However, even Organic Agriculture is not yet sufficiently sustainable and requires further
development. The most frequent problems mentioned for organic production sites are: Lack
of techniques, small fields, marginal soil conditions, and dry climate. From a technological
perspective many potential remains unexploited, e.g.:
- Improvement of the humus content and biological soil activity, leading to fostered
nutrient cycles and dynamics. In agro-sylvan systems, for example, composting of
wooden residues containing lignin might facilitate a jump/lift in intensity [Lermieux
1996].
- The method of evolutionary plant-breeding could create varieties which not only
dispose of a higher yield potential, but also of better drought and heat resistance.
Participatory approaches including farmers in the process further allow a significant
reduction of the timeframe of such breeding programmes. According to Ceccarelli
(2006), 4 to 5 years can be saved – acceleration, which is urgently required in response
to the rapid environmental changes induced by the global warming.
4.1. Case studies from Africa
Parrot and van Elzakker [2003 cit. in Abele et al. 2007, p.145] identified four different
organic agricultural categories in Africa, according to their dependency on formal
development aid and institutions:
- “Commercialised, certified Organic Agriculture without any significant development
funding. This is generally practiced on large-scale farms and oriented towards organic
markets in industrialized countries.
- Export-oriented certified Organic Agriculture, supported by development funding, and
aimed at improving incomes of small farmers.
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