Small Organic Farming: The Case of Pepper (Piper Nigrum L.) Value Chain in São Tomé and Príncipe (Published)
Organic agriculture, in addition to supporting environmental sustainability, has been a meaningful way to protect and develop small farming in developing regions. The changes that have occurred within the value chain, such as increases in global standards and the effect of globalisation, have created an increase in both opportunities and risks for smallholders. In the developing countries, mainly on African continent organic agriculture beyond being less researched than in the developed ones, there are constraints related to scale, certification policies, strategies, and the fact that most farmers remain in informal circuits. This paper presents a study of the pepper value chain in São Tomé e Príncipe, which is divided into two categories: certified organic producers, affiliated (Aff) to the Cooperative of Pepper and Vanilla Export (CEPIBA) and non-certified organic pepper, non-affiliated farmers (Naf). The study presents the strategy to promote organic farming through the value chain and a brief comparison among certified and non-certified organic producers. The results showed that Aff perform better than Naf because they have financial stability and apply sustainable practices that are more productive and provide better income, while Naf generally practice subsistence farming with the exception of some medium enterprises.
Keywords: Certification, Environmental, Organic farming, Pepper, Smallholder, Value Chains
Opportunity of Organic Farming to Improve Socio-Economic Life of Nepalese Farmers (Published)
Organic farming is important for the good health of human beings and environment. Number of organic farmers is increasing in Nepal because of the increasing awareness on environment and climate change. The aim of this study was to explore the opportunity of organic farming to improve the socio-economic life of Nepalese farmers. The study was based on the mixed research design. Data was collected from four districts of Nepal and purposively 578 organic farmers were selected. The study shows that main source of Nepalese farmer is agriculture and conventional farming practice was more similar to the organic farming so that there is very easy to practice of organic farming. Demand of organic product is increasing in the National and international market and farmers are getting good return also. increased awareness on climate change, message dissemination from the experiences farmers and experts, economic benefit, social recognition, support of concerned organization are some factors which supporting to create the opportunity of organic farming. There is need of wider dissemination of benefit of organic farming and local development plan should address and implement the activities to train the farmers.
Keywords: Nepalese Farmers, Opportunity, Organic farming, Socio-Economic Life