Sustaining Livelihoods through Organic Agriculture in Tanzania - UMB

2.2 Classification systems of organic agriculture
Organic agriculture can be differentiated from traditional, modern and other types of
sustainable agriculture by the standards and guidelines that define and regulate it. As a
type of alternative agriculture, organic agriculture belongs to a large family of related
approaches to farming that attempt ‘to provide sustained yields through the use of
ecologically-sound management technologies’ (Altieri, 1987: xix). Certified organic
agriculture may be further distinguished from non-certified organic or agroecological
production which meets organic production standards but is not subject to organic
inspection, certification and labelling (IFOAM, 2004).
A classification system has been proposed in order to better understand the vast range
of different types of organic agriculture (see diagram below).
Classification of Organic Agriculture
Sustainable Agriculture
Certified organic Non-certified Integrated Production
organic agroforestry, low-external input,
permaculture, conservation agriculture,
eco-farming etc.
Commodity focus Community focus
Individual Catchments Groups / co-operatives
Out-growers
(contract farming)
Source: After Hauser, 2005
Even further variation in organic systems can be recognised with reference to the
typology of organic farming shown below.
In this study organic agriculture refers to the conscious use of organic agricultural
techniques, both in certified and non-certified systems. However, there is a bias
towards projects that have achieved certification status and/or are under conversion
since these are the most explicitly “organic” initiatives and therefore provide clear
examples of how this holistic farm management system is being implemented on the
ground.
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