By Daniel karibwije
Organic products fetch higher prices in international markets. A good number of Uganda’s products are organic by default.
However, produce must be backed by certification to prove that it is organic.
Certification
Getting organic certification labels is time consuming and expensive, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Others have done it, you can do it too.
Organic certification is not like a marriage certificate you get once for the rest of life. Annual updates and renewals are made by the certifying agency to maintain the expected standards.
Nothing is taken for granted. Producers of agricultural products for the export market must understand the nature of goods they are trading in.
Not all agricultural products are organic. Companies involved in export trade and value addition need to carry out routine testing. The role of agencies, such as the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), comes into play.
Undertaking tests is no cheap activity. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) need assistance to undertake testing of products so they gain market access and competitiveness in export trade.
Uganda is a member of the East African community.
Duty free and quota free access to markets must be backed by high quality products. Rwanda tea has higher quality than Ugandan tea. I love Uganda, but that is the fact. So what are Rwandans practicing that we are not?
The quality and organic nature of a product begins with the seedling, garden, environment and entire eco-system. It is okay to trade in conventional products that might have been exposed to an acceptable degree of spraying.
This is as long as you do not exceed the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs). This is the highest level of pesticide residue that is legally tolerated in or on food or feed when pesticides are applied correctly (good agricultural practice).
The amount of residues found in food should be safe for consumers and must be as low as possible. Better still, farmers can aim to produce and avoid any use of pesticides or artificial fertilisers.
There is a debate about feeding the world’s population. Some experts say organic forms of agriculture cannot meet quantities demanded. With concerted efforts, farmers backed by their governments can return to regenerative agriculture.
With the present wave of climate change being felt, we need to go back to the basics our grandmother taught us. Green is gold. Organic produce is on high demand because of health benefits.
Consumers are returning to healthy eating. Wellness is a big topic in the world today.
‘Health is the new wealth’ has driven consumer consciousness. Healthy organic products are on high demand. People are willing to pay good money.
Uganda’s exporters can cash in with organic labels to earn top dollars in export markets. There are different certifi cation agencies for key markets.
The United States has USDA organic. Globally, there is CERES – Certification of environmental standards.
CERES is an international inspection and certification body for organic food, organic and sustainable textiles, GLOBAL GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) food sustainability, climate and environmental standards.
Meeting organic standards opens doors not just for markets but sources of fi nance, collaborations and partnerships.
Certification labels placed on packaging enables consumers make informed decisions. It is important to indicate a product as GMO free so shoppers know exactly what they are buying.
Getting organic certification is a detailed process that requires record keeping. Have a database of your farmers, out growers and educate them on GAP.
God intended the human race to eat organic, living healthy lifestyles.
The writer is an export trade specialist
