Development of the Organic Agriculture Sector in Saudi Arabia

On the initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, MoA, the Organic Farming Project was implemented in 2005 by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation, GTZ. The overall objective of the project is the development of the organic sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including regulatory framework, organic certification, capacity-building and marketing.

There are three main levels of intervention of the project, which are:

Government level: development and implementation of a regulatory framework for organic farming, equivalent to EU regulation for organic agriculture 2092/91 (EEC) adapted to local conditions; development of an Organic Farming Department within the MoA, as the future competent authority for the organic sector; training of staff of the Ministry of Agriculture; conversion of an agricultural Research & Development Center to organic practices

Private Sector, the organizational set up of the Saudi Organic Farming Organization, SOFO, including charta, organizational set-up, management and work process, membership, business plan and related issues; Technical assistance to small and medium farms during conversion period to organic practices, including development of farm plans, certification and marketing;

Capacity Building, training courses are held for farmers, researchers and ministry staff regarding all aspects of organic farming, such as soil fertility, plant production, plant protection, animal husbandry, sustainable irrigation water use, inspection and certification and marketing

The current project phase will be terminated by the end of 2007 and it is anticipated to start a new, five-year project phase in January 2008.

Ulrich Helberg has been assisting the project since its early stages as its key external advisor.