Organic agriculture in Africa: a source of innovation for agricultural development

19/10/2018 - Article

While organic agriculture is somewhat controversial in industrialized countries, it could prove particularly well suited to agricultural production in Africa. Its products are increasingly available on both local and export markets, but organic agriculture is largely overlooked in official statistics for African countries. However, some scientific studies and the initiatives undertaken by many local actors confirm the importance of organic agriculture in this continent, including from a food security point of view.

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Although organic agriculture remains marginal in Africa, its products are increasingly available on both local and export markets. This trend is providing a dynamic economic opportunity. However, African governments have historically shown little interest in it, as have most development programmes. The potential of organic agriculture to boost agricultural development and feed local people is largely unrecognized.

Organic agriculture is particularly suited to Africa

Traditional production methods are nevertheless very similar to organic methods, notably in that they are often family-based, diversified, with a low level of mechanization, small-scale, and using local resources. They can serve as models for another type of agriculture.

Institutionalization of organic agriculture in Africa

The development of certified organic agriculture in Africa is a relatively recent phenomenon. A range of certification systems are emerging simultaneously, such as participatory guarantee systems, which overcome the main drawback of third-party certification: the cost for producers. The institutionalization of organic agriculture remains fragile, despite the progressive structuring of networks and specialized organizations at the national, regional and continental levels. The fourth edition of the African organic Conference, to be held from 5 to 8 November in Dakar (Senegal) will address this.

Organic agriculture is spearheading the agro-ecological transition

There is no doubt that organic agriculture is making an important contribution to the agro-ecological transition process underway in Africa. It improves the resilience of agricultural systems and reduces the adverse environmental and health impacts of agriculture for both producers and consumers. Under certain conditions, its specific techniques can increase agricultural productivity, even if its yields are on average lower than those in conventional agriculture. Organic systems are labour-intensive, and as such can be a source of employment for young people in rural areas.

Fostering the emergence of organic agriculture in Africa

For organic agriculture to be recognized and developed, agricultural research has to develop evaluation methods that look at more than just the production criterion and the short term. The production of all ecosystem services, mixed crop-livestock farming associations, diversification, and the needs of the territorial actors concerned, should also be taken into account.

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