Deepika Adhikari and Deepa Singh Shrestha

Nepal Permaculture Group (NPG)
Horticulture Research Division, NARC

Abstract

The paper examines the current initiatives taken by NGOs in organic agriculture (OA) movement. The aim of the paper is to document the OA associated activities undertaken by the NGOs and to explore the potentialities of this sector for commercial exploitation. The findings are based on the information collected from ten NGOs working in this sector. The findings show that they have been influencing in raising awareness among the different stakeholders and creating an enabling environment for organic agriculture from community to policy level. It has been observed that many networks have been built by them, thus helping in communication, exchange of ideas and further expansion of the sector. Greater involvement can also be seen at the community level where they work with the farming community providing support to small farmer associations in the adoption of organic methods of production and marketing of the products. NGOs have also been providing services and support in terms of establishing organic certification and standards as well as creating markets for organic product and have also helped the Government in the drafting of regulations. Though not in large scale, on-farm research on organic agriculture is also being carried out by these organizations. However, there are challenges to find the sustainability of the ongoing NGO led initiatives in the future backed by substantial gaps in the present effort which are creating hurdles in the ongoing movement. Therefore a balance effort from its proponents towards a common goal is necessary for the expansion of the organic agriculture movement.