Organic Agriculture, Poverty Reduction, and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Post-event Statement

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Background

Governments and donors increasingly recognize organic agriculture as an effective strategy for poverty reduction and for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for two-third of the world’s poor living in marginal areas. Most farmers in marginal areas practice traditional agriculture methods using very little or no agrochemicals. By adopting organic agriculture, which requires less financial inputs while placing more reliance on natural and human resources, farmers could move toward more sustainable agricultural practices.

Studies from developing countries in Asia and Latin America show that small farmers who adopt organic agriculture earn higher income and achieve better living standards. In addition, organic food trade is now the most rapidly growing food sector worldwide due to mounting concerns surrounding food safety and quality. As a result, new opportunities for global partnerships that aim to reduce poverty through safe-food production in developing countries are rapidly emerging.

In the context of MDG goals, organic agriculture contributes to these goals:

Goal 1. Eradication of extreme poverty and hunger;

Goal 3. Promote gender equity and empower women;

Goal 4. Reduce child mortality;

Goal 5.  Improve maternal health;

Goal 7. Ensure environmental sustainability; and

Goal 8. Develop a global partnership for development.

As governments start to recognize the benefits of organic agriculture they are initiating policies and programs to support it. Nevertheless, since mainstream development practitioners have overlooked organic agriculture, there is a shared concern about the limited knowledge base linking organic agriculture to productivity growth and improvements in the MDGs.

To date, studies on organic agriculture are largely centered on case studies or are qualitative in nature. To produce proper policies and programs to support organic agriculture development in developing Asian countries, more concrete studies are needed to provide insights on how to support pro-poor development of the sector.

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Objectives

The workshop will provide a forum for organic researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to take stock of current knowledge on the contribution of organic agriculture to the MDGs and to review current policies and programs in their respective countries. The aim will be to develop a methodology to allow empirical research on this question.

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Outputs

• Networking and dissemination of knowledge among researchers and policy maker established
• Research issues, methodology, and data requirements identified.
• Research plan for ADBI/ADB developed

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Participants

20-25 organic researchers, policy makers, and practitioners from ADB developing member countries with significant potential for organic agriculture and poverty reduction.

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How to Apply

By invitation only

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Language

English (no interpretation provided)

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Responsibilities

Each participant will be required to submit a country report on

1. Overview of organic agriculture production and marketing
2. National policy on organic agriculture and certification system
3. Overview of current research activities, research findings, knowledge gaps, and priorities for future research
4. Proposed areas for field research