Organic Agriculture Certification in Sri Lanka

Why We Need Organic Agriculture

• Organic agriculture ensures the good quality of the food people consume
• Reduce the health issues created by inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and etc.
• Reduce the environmental pollution issues caused by agriculture and promote the sustainability in agriculture 

What is the Importance of Organic Agriculture Certification

• Organic agriculture certification provides the proof  and certifies relevant agri-product is produced according to the requirements of organic agriculture
• Establish the trust between the farmer/agriculture organization and consumer/buyer

What Can be Certified in Organic Agriculture

• All cultivatable crops
• Wild collection
• Animal husbandry
• Aquaculture
• Mushroom
• Honey
• Fiber
• Timber
• off farm inputs

Who/What are eligible for certification

• Individual farms and groups (large scale farms, small holder organizations and etc.)
• Agricultural products processors
• Agricultural products packers
• Agricultural products retailers
• Agricultural commodities traders/exporters

Principles of Organic Certification

• Agreed production and processing standard (what needs to be done)
• Agreed verification procedures (how is it checked)
• Neutral body that verifies the compliance (who guarantees)

Key Areas in Organic Certification 

• Defining the production unit; i.e. Tea, Paddy, Vegetable
• Parallel production is not allowed; i.e. cultivation of same crop in organic and conventional method 
• Conversion from conventional to organic agriculture normally take 3 - 4 years
• Inputs of production should be acceptable; i.e. manure, seeds
• GMOs, growth hormones, fumigation, radiation should be avoided
• Traceability  of product flow
• All the activities should be documented
• package, transport, storage, labeling should follow required standards
• Packaging should be food grade
• Transportation should not damage the product
• Storage should be separated according to the commodity
• Label should include organic agriculture certified logo
• Inspection and certification of entire production chain should be done at least once a year
• Transparency in communication and information exchange

Certification Methods

• First party certification - Farmer certifies their products are organic
• Second party certification - The Organization to which the farmer belongs certifies the products are organic
• Third party certification - An inspector from a certifying agency certifies the products are organic

Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) 

• All the third party agencies which gives the organic certification must be accredited by SLAB

Steps in an Third Party Inspection and Certification System

• Applying for an organic agriculture certification to a certifier
• Estimation of cost for certification
• Signing contract with certifier
• Preparation of detailed description of the project
• Onsite inspections and interviews done by the certifier
• Documentation check
• Evaluation of project
• Certification
• Taking corrective actions if needed
• Annual inspection and update of the certificate

Certification Agencies Currently Operating in Sri Lanka

• Control Union
• NASAA, Australia
• Institute for Market Ecology, Switzerland
• Naturland, Germany
• EcoCert, Germany
• Demeter and BioSuisse, Switzerland
• Organic Farmers and Growers Ltd, United Kingdom

Lanka Organic Agriculture Movement - 1994

This organization consists of scientists, organic farmers professionals, members of the organic corporates. This Organization plays a major role in policy development, preparation of guidelines and development of standards for organic agriculture in Sri Lanka.

More Info

References

• https://mesaprogram.org/2012/05/31/sri-lanka-lanka-organic-agriculture-movement-loam-11309/
• http://www.srilankabusiness.com/organic/organic-certification-in-sri-lanka.html
• http://slab.lk/
• https://www.ifoam.bio/

Enable GingerCannot connect to Ginger Check your internet connection
or reload the browserDisable in this text fieldRephraseRephrase current sentenceEdit in Ginger×

Beekeeping Process - Basics

This video explains the process of Bee Keeping from the beginning, step by step. It was a documentary produced by Export Agriculture students (Gen 8) of Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka.

Biodynamic Preparations - Vitalizers

• Biodynamic agriculture has a different philosophy about soil when it comes to soil nutrition. In this agriculture system, prior to cultivation, the soil is considered as dead (has zero nutrients)

Biodynamic Planting Calendar

• Biodynamic agriculture is based on two major things
• The cosmic energy
• The Earth
• The planting calendar is about rhythms of cosmic solar, moon and earth
• Understanding the rhythms of  cosmos is really important for Biodynamic agriculture to work
• These are the rhythms that sustain all lives on earth
• Using these rhythms for seed sowing and planting works best in organic agriculture
• Planing the cultivation of crops based on these rhythms enhance the quality of crops as these rhythms improve the fertility of living soil
• This agriculture system uses astrology to make the Biodynamic agriculture a success
• Energy of the sun (cosmic energy) continuously streams toward the earth
• In addition to that other planets are also stream energy. i.e - Moon is an important planet which influence the plant growth, fertility, water uptake and water movement inside the plant 

Introduction to Biodynamic Agriculture

Definition

Biodynamics is a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming, gardening, food, and nutrition (Biodynamic Association).

Biodynamic Agriculture;

• Is an advanced form of organic agriculture with an emphasis on food quality and soil health
• Focuses on spiritual exposure/cosmetic energy
• Doesn't use synthetics
• Astrological influence is considered with biophysical factors

Introduction to Beekeeping

Bee keeping,

is the science & the art of keeping bees, to obtain bee honey & other by products or for the purpose of pollination

Bee keeping,

• Provide valuable food, especially to rural populations
• Provide remunerative employment
• Earn much needed foreign exchange
• Require no large investment
• Contribute to pollination and thus crop production
• Require practically no space on the farm
• History of Beekeeping
• Hunting of bee honey from the jungle was practiced before earliest written history

Piduru Bimmal Volvariella volvacea Cultivation Methods

Piduru Bimma (Volvariella volvacea) can be cultivated using two methods

• Trestle/ Bed Method
• Frame Method

Muthubeli Bimmal Pleurotus ostreatus Cultivation Methods

• There are 3 types of Muthubeli Bimmal cultivated in Sri lanka; Thai type, American Type and Bhutan Type. 
• Muthubeli Bimmal are cultivated in several ways;

• Cultivation inside polypropylene bags with sawdust
• Cultivation inside plates with straw
• Cultivation inside polythene bags with straws

Bhutan type mushroom

Basic Requirements for Mushroom Cultivation

Major Requirements for Mushroom Cultivation

1. High quality mushroom spawns (seeds)
2. A cottage with low temperature and relatively high moisture level (Light inside the room should be adjustable)
3. A Barrel 
4. Sawdust or Straw
5. Polypropylene Bags/Polythene Bags/Basin 

Introduction to Mushroom Cultivation in Sri Lanka

Click Here to Learn About Requirements For Mushroom Cultivation

Mushroom cultivation in Sri Lanka is mostly done at household level as a small business. Cultivators of mushrooms are scattered around Sri Lanka. Even though there is a good market demand for good quality mushrooms most cultivators fail meet the demand and required quality most of the time due to lack of knowledge. Mushroom cultivation is a profitable business if done correctly.