GENERAL INFORMATION:
The curriculum material is from the course, offered by the UNEP-UNCTAD Capacity Building Task Force on Trade, Environment and Development (CBTF) which "aims to provide a general overview of organic production and trade: opportunities, challenges, global support options and success stories.
The applicability and usefulness of the information in the modules is open to your interpretation and subject to your understanding of local conditions."
The course is structured into three modules:
Module #1 Introductary Information on Agriculture
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ABOUT Module # 1:
Module 1 is introductory and contains information on agriculture in general and its importance for economic development as well as a very general analysis of the current advances, shortcomings, opportunities and challenges inherent to mainstream agriculture (or conventional agriculture). It also contains a comprehensive list as to why more and more farmers and consumers are opting to practise and support organic agriculture. The main challenges posed for promoting organic production and trade are also laid out. Finally, Module 1 describes the main organizations and global initiatives currently involved in supporting farmers, traders and other organic stakeholder groups facing these challenges.
The learning targets of Module # 1
- Acquire a general knowledge of the current state of agriculture worldwide, the benefits and challenges implicit in organic agriculture and the role organics play in the present world context of agricultural production.
- Acquire or refresh knowledge regarding the main benefits and challenges involved in organic production.
- Be able to identify the main international organizations working on organics and gain knowledge about the initiatives and projects they undertake to support production and trade of organic products.
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Module #2 Organic Agriculture Production Issues
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ABOUT Module # 2
Module # 2 delves into organic agriculture production issues. It elaborates step-by-step information on "setting up an organic farm", either by converting from chemical-based production to organic, or by converting uncultivated land into an organic farm. The themes covered by this module include: the conversion process, success factors in organic production and certification issues.
The learning targets of Module # 2
- Understand basic organic production techniques.
- Learn to design and implement a conversion plan for starting an organic venture.
- Identify risks and acquire key tips for ensuring success.
- Comprehend the certification issues necessary for compliance with market requirements.
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Module #3 Organic Trade
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ABOUT MODULE # 3
Module 3 focuses on organic trade. It contains recent information regarding major markets, including specific examples from the developing and developed world as well as an extensive reference list for further reading. This module provides an overview of rules and regulations governing organic trade, focusing on import into the European Union (EU) under a recently instituted set of regulations. It describes procedures for setting up organic marketing initiatives and elaborates the main challenges and success factors present in trade in organics. Finally, the module introduces marketing techniques tailor-made for collective marketing initiatives and pro-poor growth.
The learning targets of Module # 3
- Comprehend the different roles, perspectives and challenges faced by stakeholders throughout the supply chain.
- Appreciate recent development and trends in international and domestic organic markets, including developing country markets.
- Acquire knowledge regarding the trade-relevant aspects of organic regulations, including the new EU requirements, Global GAP, TESCO and other relevant marks.
- Comprehend how to successfully start up an organic market initiative and employ relevant marketing techniques.
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