Organic Exchange.org

Podcast of discussions and presentations on soil fertility at the African Regional Meeting

Simon — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:52:41 GMT

Please listen and add your comments

Greetings from Uganda

Simon — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:03:25 GMT

Greetings from the Third Africa Regional Conference of Organic Exchange. We have been busily looking at what is happening across Africa this week, new initiatives and challenges ahead. We have covered trade and manufacturing, agronomic issues, and talked about sustainable business models, pricing, and so on. We will be outlining discussions here over the next few days and posing some questions for follow up. There will be video and audio files from some of the sessions to allow you to follow what has been going on and to add your thoughts.
We have also visited the Phenix factory in Kampala, which shows that organic textiles can be succesfully manufactured in Africa.

Soil Fertility Management Session

Video from the IFOAM Conference

Simon — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:44:34 GMT

Video

V Shiva 1

V shiva 2

V Shiva 3

M Muwanga

IFOAM Conference on Organic Fibers and Textiles

Doraliz — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:53:39 GMT

In Carpi-Italy many researchers, experts, and representatives of organizations and producers from the 5 continents were joined to share updated information about organic textile and examine the latest challenges and progress in the sector.
At the same time a very clear position against genetically modified products was expressed by representatives from India and Africa and the kind of production that allowes this technology.
During these 2 days we heard such phrases as `the law of nature`, `criminal effect on enviroment`, `globalization is producing global masacre on the enviroment`, `moralization of the market`, but also how to incorporate values to the supply chain and incorporate international standards to the manufacturing labour.
The natural fibers exposed were organic cotton and organic wool, and also there was very interesting research presented about why Dermatologists are interested in organic cotton. Regarding Organic Cotton and the Hypoalergenic effect on the skin, where confirmed the reaction on the skin could be more linked to substances used in the production chain during the processing and the manufacturing rather than in the organic cotton quality. The recommendation is to carefully read the labels.
Some of the challenges of the sector is still to offer access to the market and Co-ordination among different initiatives and projects, expressed Jens Soth.
Synthetic products are impossible to use in tropical countries, says Vandana Shiva.
There are many potential places to produce organically but how this potential can be reached is a question, also the demand for new varieties is increasing in the market.
The conflict of interest between the farmers, buyers and operators was another point discussed. The production system demands more attention said Simon Ferrigno. Part of the discussion was not only to continue describing the problem but to start right now, inmediately, on each one because we each need to make the choice for the clothing that we wear, said Gerald Herman

Relatorio da Reunião de Quixadá - Brasil

Doraliz — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:43:17 GMT

www.relatorio_quixada.com

Este link tem importantes Conclusões da III Reuniao do Algodão Orgánico da America Latina 2008 traducido ao Português.
Trata-se de material que contou com a contrinuição de Alfonso Lizarraga de Organic Exchange Latinoamerica e Pedro Jorge Lima de ESPLAR na recuperação das apresentações dos participantes durante a Conferencia do Algodão Organico em Quixada que convocou a mais de 118 representantes de todo Brasil, Paraguay e Peru.

A LUTA CONTRA OS ALGODÕES TRANSGÊNICOS NO BRASIL

Doraliz — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:04:17 GMT

Cerca de vinte representantes de organizações de agricultores/as familiares, de oito ONGs dos quatro Estados produtores de algodão agroecológico no Nordeste do Brasil, da empresa Natural Fashion da representante da Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Agrário do Estado do Ceará se reuniram com dirigentes e pesquisadores da Embrapa Algodão, em Campina Grande, Paraíba, para discutir medidas para proteger a produção agroecológica contra a contaminação por algodões transgênicos, introduzidos ilegalmente no País em 2005 e liberados pelo Governo brasileiro em 2007. A Embrapa se comprometeu a preparar um documento abordando os diferentes ângulos da questão para ser debatido num novo encontro, marcado para o próximo dia 2 de julho.

A luta contra os Algodões Transgenicos no Brasil

Doraliz — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 08:57:00 GMT

Pedro Jorge Lima
Cerca de vinte representantes de organizações de agricultores/as familiares, de oito ONGs dos quatro Estados produtores de algodão agroecológico no Nordeste do Brasil, da empresa Natural Fashion da representante da Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Agrário do Estado do Ceará se reuniram com dirigentes e pesquisadores da Embrapa Algodão, em Campina Grande, Paraíba, para discutir medidas para proteger a produção agroecológica contra a contaminação por algodões transgênicos, introduzidos ilegalmente no País em 2005 e liberados pelo Governo brasileiro em 2007. A Embrapa se comprometeu a preparar um documento abordando os diferentes ângulos da questão para ser debatido num novo encontro, marcado para o próximo dia 2 de julho.

IFOAM World Congress - Textiles meeting

Simon — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:07:00 GMT

The organic textiles component of the IFOAM world congress has just opened in Carpi, Italy, with a discussion panel involving activist Vandana Shiva, economist Wolfgang Sachs as well as others such as representative of the National Organic Agriculture Movement of Uganda, Musa Muwanga and Gerard Hermann of IFOAM.
Vandana Shiva has been speaking about the impacts of conventional and GM cotton in India and recalling the impact of the Bhopal chemical accident which has been a focal point for action to reduce production and consumption of pesticides, especially cotton pesticides.
More to follow from the meeting over the next 24 hours!

100% organic clothing in Sao Paulo

Doraliz — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:29:42 GMT

Brazil, where fashion designers of all types are taking a greater interest in the environmental impact of their creations and where more and more brands want to minimize the chimical and pesticide uses, last week, the first 100% organic clothing store was opened in Sao Paolo. The clothing is in the Brazilian style, and is based around sustainable fashion, with responsibility, respect for people and the planet. All of the Eden collection uses organic cotton fabrics in pure colors with natural dyes and pigments, completely free of harmful chemicals, certified until the final product. Eden is in partnership with Coexis and the NOW seal (Natural Organic World).

Producción Orgánica

Doraliz — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:24:26 GMT

En el aspecto sociológico se menciona que tomar el criterio económico por sí solo puede no ser suficiente para mantener la producción "orgánica" de una manera sostenible. La mejora general del sistema de producción se aprecia por parte de los productores. Aparece como una forma de "filosofía" de producción que vuelve independiente del aspecto comercial. La noción de confianza entre las partes interesadas se considera como un elemento fundamental en este tipo de producción; en el aspecto agronómico la posibilidad de rastrear la necesidad de regionalizar la producción de algodón orgánico ha sido recordada por algunos. Por un lado, debido a razones técnicas, como la presión de una plaga o enfermedad menos pronunciada en ciertas regiones, por otro lado también en un nivel más político, en relación con el desarrollo de una región, menciona el Dr. Pierre Silvie miembro del CIRAD.

Presentación de Julie Debru, estudiante de la facultad de agronomia de AgroParisTech de Paris.

algodon.organico.juliedebru.CIRAD

World Willage Fair in Helsinki

Doraliz — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:18:03 GMT

Sensibility for organic and fair trade products including textiles, coffee, travel services, wine and foods was well evidenced throughout the some 1,000 stands and presentations at the World Village Fair, which took place in Helsinki, Finland recently. Nearly 1% of Finland’s 5M inhabitants, visited the two-day open-air fair, blessed by sunshine 22 hours of the day in May, 2008. The Finn government’s KELA Maternity and child care program now plans to use an organic version of a popular diaper in its maternity pack, distributed free of charge to any expecting Finn mother.

During this event with Finn company East 25, Peru Naturtex launched the first organic, fair trade certified diaper, which features a layer of fine latex film between two thick layers of very soft organic cotton, in both ecru and vicuña beige colored versions, in a unisex design created over 15 years ago under the Unimix brand.

Algodon Organico en Paraguay

Doraliz — Mon, 26 May 2008 13:48:17 GMT

Datos Oficiales del Cultivo

Se ha efectuado en Villarrica y Asunción la presentación de los resultados del trabajo de investigación realizado por Julie Debru, estudiante en la escuela AgroParisTech en Paris, bajo la supervision del CIRAD y en cooperacion con Organic Exchange sobre produccion del Algodón Organico en Paraguay realizada en esta última zafra 2007/2008.

Es un trabajo de investigacion acerca del sistema de cultivo del algodón organico en Paraguay y los distintos proyectos del país, este reporte sera compartido en breve.

Algodon Nativo en Peru

Alfonso — Tue, 20 May 2008 18:52:34 GMT

El algodon nativo peruano ha sido protegido mediante una ley con la finalidad de promover su desarrollo en la costa peruana. Esta ley protege principalmente a los algodones de colores que por muchos anos habian sido prohibidos debido a la posible mezcla con los algodones blancos. Esta ley fue anunciada por el presidente del Peru en Lambayeque una de las zonas de origen de los algodones de colores.

Pricing organic - and ethical products

Simon — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:38:10 GMT

I read an interesting story today about the pricing of ethical products and consumers' willingness to pay for these - or to penalise companies without ethical products. The story comes from the Wall Street Journal and shows that consumers are not only willing to pay premiums for ethical products - they heavily discount what they are willing to pay for non ethical products.
Good news for organic cotton among others!
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121018735490274425.html?mod=hps_us_inside_today
http://seafood.typepad.com/the_winding_glass/2008/05/consumer-resear.html

Today, we also heard of a welcome reversal in the news in India - that farmers who have converted to organic cotton no longer report suicides. This is a marked contrast to the endless reports of farmer suicides in conventional cotton

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/TOI/Artwin.asp?From=Archive&Skin=ET&BaseHref=ETA/2008/05/14&EntityId=Ar00203&ViewMode=HTML&AppName=1

Meanwhile, in Wales organic farmers gain similar returns to conventional farmers.

http://www.farmersguardian.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=18462

Today

Simon — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:26:49 GMT

Two stories caught my eye today. One is around the spraying of DDT in Uganda for treating malaria. This is a perennial big issue I remember from my days working at PAN: how do we deal with the use of chemicals when there is no alternative? Malaria is a huge problem in Africa, and any way of dealing with it must be used. At the same time, organic cotton and organic farming are wealth creators that can offer a lot towards improving rural economies and the prospects of farming communities. Let's hope this can be resolved.

Ugandan organic exporters in DDT scare

East African - Nairobi,Kenya
Marck van Esch, manager of Bo Weevil, an exporter of organic cotton, told The EastAfrican that the spraying has been improperly

Another story I noticed was a report on a self-built solar water heating system from China. I had heard of these being made using old car parts (radiator, hoses, and a windscreen pained black).

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2850151.html

News today

Simon — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:38:07 GMT

One of the key organic cotton farming regions in Turkey, Izmir, is to become the host for a National Centre for Organic Agriculture:
http://www.organic-market.info/en_inhalte/inh_index.htm?link=Meldungen&catID=1&docID=634

Hopefully this will stimulate further interest in the region, and provide a launch pad for more market development in Turkey.

As the week draws to a close, we have been enjoying many discussions internally on the meanings of sustainability and sustainable agriculture and development. Our quote of the week is that sustainable agriculture:

..'involves a system for food and fibre production that can maintain high levels of production with minimal environmental impact and can support viable rural communities'

(Mellon et al., 1995)[i]

We would very much welcome comments from readers!

Also in the news, the IFOAM World Congress is coming up in June, in Italy.
http://www.ifoam.org/events/ifoam_conferences/owc/Organic_World_Congress.html
The Organic Fibers and Textiles will take place just before this, In Carpi, Italy.
http://www.ifoam.org/events/ifoam_conferences/owc/program_textile.html

Have a good weekend

[i] Both quoted in vanLoon et al, Agricultural Sustainability, Strategies for Assessment, 2005

Regional Meeting - Brazil

Doraliz — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:42:46 GMT

III Encuentro Latinoamericano Sao Paulo – Brasil.

De primera mano se ha podido observar el inmenso crecimiento en las ofertas y variedades de productos en Latinoamerica que van desde las prendas confeccionadas con algodon organico y tenidas naturalmente, materiales decorativos, calzados deportivos, juguetes, hasta prendas de alta costura. Queda demostrado que Latinoamerica puede ofrecer lineas de productos absolutamente competitivos y de alta calidad no solo para el exigente mercado sudamericano sino también para otros mercados internacionales.

Los dias 7 y 8 de abril fue llevada a cabo el III Encuentro Regional de Produccion del Algodon Organico en Sao Paulo – Brasil. Se reunieron todos los elementos destinados a fortalecer y expandir el mercado Latinoamericano y en donde se unieron procesadores, certificadores, investigadores, marcas, retailers y productores del algodon organico del Brasil y otros paises de la region.

Este encuentro permitio conocer todas las innovaciones del sector y el grado de mejoramiento de las prendas hechas con material organico. Igualmente permitio acceder a informaciones sobre la legislacion organica que en este momento esta siendo estudiada en el Brasil. Los distintos participantes de la conferencia han proporcionado valiosa informacion que permitiria a la industria textil brasilera a moverse hacia la produccion sostenible y a evidenciar a las diferentes marcas la necesidad de ir detras de su cadena de producción y conocer mejor a sus componentes.

Tambien se ha hablado de nuevos sistemas de trazabilidad online que permiten a las marcas comunicarse de forma mas efectiva con sus consumidores, permitiendo visualizar online todo el sistema de produccion y comunicar mas acerca del procesamiento de sus productos haciendo uso de herramientas tecnologicas que permiten acceder a esta informacion en segundos en todo el globo.

La participacion de empresas certificadoras permitio discutir sobre las normativas y reglamentaciones existentes en este momento para la produccion, procesamiento e importacion de algodon organico al pais. Se pudo observar las distintas variedades que estan siendo cultivadas en toda la region, los materiales que estan siendo producidos y los productos finales que ofrece cada pais, recibieron especial destaque marcas que actualmente están produciendo y procesando en la region.

Generar compromisos entre las partes involucradas, actitud y responsabilidad en las comunicaciones realizadas a los consumidores fueron otro de los tantos temas abordados. Tambien se destacaron nuevas iniciativas, con modelos de negocios y estrategias de mercado que se van adecuando al contexto del mercado sustentable.

El algodon organico ya no es un producto para el mercado del futuro, ofrece un sin numero de alternativas y variedades que va creciendo en diferentes lineas de productos y ya es un producto muy demandado en el mercado actual.

Para acceder a las presentaciones y más informaciones sobre este encuentro en:

http://www.organicexchange.org/meetings/spring08brazil.php

The importance of being visible and known

Simon — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:10:31 GMT

Last week we had a meeting with a fashion brand and some NGOs who are organising a buyers' coalition, with the goal of building a dedicated supply chain linked to a know group of farmers. This raises for us the importance for each and every farming group and project to be visible to the market, and for its operations, goals and objectives, and impacts to be known.
This means farm projects need to make sure we at Organic Exchange have as much information on you as possible so we can make links between such groups and farming projects (in other words, please remember to fill in surveys like the fibre survey and the rotation crops survey);
We are also beginning to offer new tools for Farmer Visibility - in future, using the Track and Trace system, you will be able to choose to make information from the surveys visible via the internet, for example to highlight products for sale. You will also be able to have a project profile visible. Finally, information and results from the Key Performance Indicators will also be available and visible if you choose, allowing you to highlight areas where you are strong and areas where the project is addressing local needs, helping with marketing.

Have a good day!

More 'sustainable' bags on the street

Simon — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:56:05 GMT

A quick observation from walking down to the bank at lunchtime...in the space of a few hundred metres, we passed several people carrying cotton or jute Fairtrade and organic bags from some of the major UK retailers. A sign that sustainable textiles really are entering mainstream concsiousness? I hope so! Kent, where I live, was one of the last places in the UK not to have independent retail outlets for organic cotton, but I see from PAN UKs website that even this is no longer the case.
So, I hope all the farm projects out there are seeing this translate into increased demand!
Have a good weekend
Simon

From Quixada to Dublin

Simon — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:50:17 GMT

It's been a busy few weeks for the farm team in South America - meetings in Paraguay with our partner ICCO to look at market development strategies and overall strategies for supporting the growing organic and agro-ecological sector. A farmers' meeting in Quixada, Ceara State, in Brazil, followed by a supply chain meeting in Sao Paulo, to look at ways to support the growing regional market for organic cotton in South America and to find out about new initiatives - such as attempts to revive Sea island cotton in the Carribean under an organic system.
From there, some of us headed to Dublin in Ireland to take part in a public event and a business forum on the 24th and 25th of April, called 'ReDress', to look at stimulating the market for organic textiles in Ireland. A very succesful event that shows, along with South America, that the potential for growth in organic cotton consumption and production remains high.
The next stop is the Africa regional meeting in Uganda at the end of June; before that there will also be the IFOAM Textiles Conference in Carpi, Italy.

Alfonso Lizarraga talking in Sao Paulo