3 August 2024 12:18 am Views - 89
Awareness speech being delivered
The National Organic Control Unit (NOCU), the competent authority for organic agriculture in Sri Lanka, established under the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), recently launched its initiative to promote organic agriculture islandwide.
As part of this effort, the first awareness programme was successfully conducted in the Kegalle district on July 25, 2024, at Sleek Hotel and demonstrating an encouraging turnout, about 80 attendees actively took part in the event.
The programme also highlighted the contribution of the NOCU to organic farming in terms of its role in promoting a credible organic agriculture value chain. The participants, representing various sectors of the agriculture industry, gained valuable insights into organic farming techniques, certification processes, organic standards and market opportunities.
As the regulatory body responsible for overseeing activities within the island’s organic agricultural sector, the main objective of the NOCU is to protect the credibility of organic agricultural products that are imported, exported and sold in the local market as a reliable source for consumers. In line with this objective, the NOCU has scheduled six comprehensive awareness programmes islandwide, aimed at educating farmers, exporters, processors and relevant government officials on organic agriculture, including principles of organic agriculture and farming practices, Sri Lankan organic standards and organic certification procedures as well as marketing prospects for organic agricultural products.
The ever-increasing demand for organic products globally, including Sri Lanka, underscores the need for proper knowledge on organic agriculture to ensure that reliable organic food reaches customers. Consequently, implementing awareness programmes is essential as the island has immense opportunities in the organic agricultural sector.
Since its establishment in 2014, the NOCU has taken significant steps to enhance the organic agriculture sector in Sri Lanka. This programme was addressed by District Secretary Kegalle J.M.R.P. Jayasinghe and Additional District Secretary Kegalle D.N. Gamalathge. The Export Agriculture Division of the EDB organised this event under the guidance of Director Export Agriculture Janak Badugama.