ESP ENG “ORGANIC OAXACA: AN AGRICULTURAL PROJECT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OAXACA “ORGANIC OAXACA ” COOPERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC LINES OF ACTION ADVANCES IN THE ORGANIC OAXACA PROJECT DURING ITS 2011-2012 EXERCISE. Nº 7 / SPRING, 2013 / WWW.OAXACA.GOB.MX 1 “ORGANIC OAXACA: AN AGRICULTURAL PROJECT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OAXACA Organic products are rapidly gaining ground in the worldwide food markets. Taking care of their health and protecting the environment are some of the reasons that consumers prefer them. To that, we can add that they are free of artificial additives or genetic modifications and that they are raised by means of non-contaminating cultivation practices, among many other benefits. 2 The best prospect for Mexican producers is in the high demand for tropical products that are not produced in most of the developed countries: mainly coffee, mangos, bananas, avocados, cocoa and hibiscus. It’s necessary to take advantage of the knowledge and experience of organic cultivation techniques that Mexican producers have so that they can compete with other countries that are also seeking opportunities in this sector, including Brazil, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, Colombia and Peru. (1) Among those countries which are experiencing a growth of more than 25% per year of the lands devoted to organic methods of cultivation we can find: Mexico, Argentina, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Finland, Great Britain, Denmark, France and Uruguay. It must be noted that the organic sector is the portion of overall Mexican agricultural activities that is the most dynamic. The main states which produce organic food are Chiapas, Oaxaca, Michoacán, Chihuahua and Guerrero. Chiapas and Oaxaca alone account for 70%. (2) Oaxaca is currently in the second place in terms of certified surface, and it is one of the pioneer states of our country in the production of organic coffee through the actions of the Union of Indigenous Communities of the Isthmus Region (UCIRI, according to its initials in Spanish: Tr.). This is a point that acquires special significance since coffee-and especially organic coffee—is an export product. In recent years, organic certification in the state has diversified to cover the production of: sesame seeds, hibiscus flowers, vegetables, mango, basil, guanábana, tamarind, honey, mezcal and rum. As reference points, we can cite that for the 2004/2005 agricultural cycle, there were 20,331 organic producers in the state cultivating 52,707.85 hectares, while for the 2007/2008 cycle, there were 36,219 producers with 64,495.01 hectares. The foregoing data indicate that the number of hectares under organic cultivation has grown at an average annual rate of about 11% (Certimex). PHOTO: 1 y 2 Carrying out workshops on the application of organic raw materials and the elaboration of organic compost. Organic agriculture is a production system that uses the resources of each farm to the utmost, giving emphasis to soil fertility and biological activity by means of the reduction of the non-renewable resources and the avoidance of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in order to protect both the environment and human health. (FAO) SOURCE: (1)Willer, H. and Uussefe, M., 2004. The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics and Emerging Trends. Germany, International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements. (2)Gómez Tovar, L. and M.A. Gómez Cruz, 2004. Agriculture in Mexico and the World. CONABIO. Biodiversity 55: 13-15. Secretariat of Farming, Forestry, Fishery and Aquaculture Development of the Government of the State of Oaxaca. (Office of Agro-Industrial Promotion). 1/4 “Organic Oaxaca” is part of the Public Policies of the Government of Gabino Cué Monteagudo, Esq., in order to achieve the production of healthy, nutritious food, as well as the conservation of agricultural soil. “ORGANIC OAXACA ” - Prior to the organic agriculture project in Oaxaca created by the State Government, there was a program that stimulated the production of specialized coffee, which was developed within the State Council of Coffee in 2005. By means of that program, their own funds were used to defray the certification costs for various coffee organizations and plantations in the state. - The organic production project was created in response to an initiative presented by diverse organic coffee organizations and certification agencies with a presence in the state. They established the guidelines, especially with their “Proposal for the development of organic production systems in Oaxaca,” which was submitted to be considered for inclusion in the State Development Plan for 2011-2016. - The proposal called “Organic Oaxaca” was presented by producers from the Sierra Juarez in the framework of the Fourth Public Hearing of the State Executive on April 9, 2011. 3 - In order to respond to the aforementioned initiatives, by means of the Secretariat of Farming, Forestry, Fishery and Aquaculture Development of the Government of the State of Oaxaca (SEDAFPA, according to its initials in Spanish: Tr.) carried out several workshops on organic agriculture. Producers, researchers and other people interested in the themes participated and shared their experiences relating to production and commercialization in both national and international markets. - 91.10% of the organic producers in Oaxaca belong to one of the following ethnic groups: Zapotec, Mixtec, Mixe, Chontal, Chatino, Chinantec, Triqui, Mazatec or Cuicatec. PHOTO: (3)The Constitutional Governor of the State, Gabino Cué Monteagudo, Esq., delivered the Resources to Support the Payment for Organic Certification to the Organizations of Organic Producers. - It’s worth pointing out that the direct sale of organic products to consumers was established starting in 2002 with the creation of organic bazaars which sell products such as milk, cheese, honey, vegetables, fruit, chocolate, candy, tejate (a beverage prepared with cornmeal, chocolate & other ingredients: Tr.), peanuts, mezcal, etc. There are currently 8 organic bazaars, 5 in the State Capital, 2 in the Sierra Region, and one more in the Coast Region. In the territory of Oaxaca, there is great potential for the abundant production of honey, the agave that is used to produce mezcal, hibiscus flowers, sesame seeds, tropical & deciduous fruits (peaches, apples, pears, guanábanas, mangos & tamarind), aromatic herbs and medicinal plants 2/4 STRATEGIC LINES OF ACTION 1.- Promotion of production. To increase & diversify organic production using different techniques and tools. 2.- Promotion of organizational & entrepreneurial development. To stimulate and support organizations of producers in order to push the development of the sector. 3.- Training & technical assistance. To make sure there is prompt professional help available. 4.- Research and the transfer of technology. This is an area which has not been developed and which needs a strong thrust in order to take advantage of the various micro-climates of Oaxaca. 5.- Promotion and diffusion. To create and implement a program for the promotion and diffusion of the production and consumption of organic Oaxaca products. The State Government will provide new tools for the cultivation, certification, promotion and commercialization of organic products. “Organic agriculture is vital because it reduces poverty, helps avoid marginalization, and the nutrients from the products have a great contribution to make to our health.” Gabino Cué Monteagudo, Esq., Governor of Oaxaca 6.- Certification incentives. To establish support schemes for producers and thereby stimulate those who begin to develop these sustainable practices. 7.- Commercialization. To facilitate the access of producers and consumers to the markets and commercialization mechanisms at the regional, state, national and international levels. 4 8.- Financing. In addition to subsidies, promote the intervention of banks and credit systems with low, flexible interest rates. 9.- Schemes of institutional norms. Promote the application of federal programs and propose an improvement in the operating rules for organic production, in addition to an accreditation system for those who offer their professional services as well as the community-based technicians of the organizations. 10.- Evaluation & follow up. Design an operational system for the project, with indicators of results in relation to the assigned resources and a study of the base line which will be fundamental for the establishment of the verification parameters for the hoped-for results. PHOTO: (4) Carrying out the first Forum and Exposition of Organic Products in the Paseo Juarez El Llano, Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca. 3/4 PROPOSAL FOR 2013 I. Stimulate production. II. Promotion, diffusion & commercialization. III. Promotion of certification & systems of internal control. Program for training producers. VI. Financing by means of the statewide stimulation of productive activities in Oaxaca (Fondo Oaxaca). V. Establishment of norms for the development of organic production in Oaxaca. ADVANCES IN THE ORGANIC OAXACA PROJECT DURING ITS 2011-2012 EXERCISE. In order to benefit organic production, with an initial investment of 7 million pesos from the Normal State Program during 2012, different support was given to the organic sector, highlighting the following: For the first time there was support for the payment for the certification of organic coffee, agave for the production of mezcal, honey, mango, sesame seeds, hibiscus flowers, marmalades and fresh and processed fruits & vegetables, benefiting more than 9,000 producers in diverse localities of the eight regions of the state. There was payment to support the strengthening of the systems of internal control for the 8 organic bazaars, thus allowing another 223 producers to obtain organic certification by the participatory route. 1,200 packages of organic raw materials were given to producers from the sector in order to increase the production of crops on 1,200 hectares. There were 7 organic production training workshops for producers and technicians. There were 4 regional forums in 4 regions of the state: Mixtec, Coast, Papaloapan and Cañada. These were carried out to let the involved producers know about the certification processes, the existing certifying agencies and the extent of the Organic Oaxaca program. The first forum and exposition of organic products was carried out on March 30-31, 2012 in the City of Oaxaca. It achieved ample diffusion about organic products as well as the building of a consensus among the different actors of that sector. CGAI COORDINACIÓN GENERAL DE ASUNTOS INTERNACIONALES GOBIERNO DEL ESTADO DE OAXACA M: [email protected] The Organic Oaxaca project of the State Government of Oaxaca benefits the Oaxacan countryside and the families who depend upon it by providing them with real possibilities for financing, training, production and commercialization of organic products, as well as the recuperation and the ecological conservation of natural resources, an improvement of the incomes and quality of life of the producers, thus leading in general to inclusive, sustainable rural development. 4/4