RIYADH: The organic farming sector in Saudi Arabia has received a shot in the arm with the relaunch of the Saudi Organic Farming Association (SOFA). SOFA has completed all three phases of development and enters into an implementation phase with the start of 2011, said Dr. Saad A. Khaleel Esa, Acting Secretary-General. Esa was speaking to Saudi Gazette after SOFA's general assembly meeting held in Riyadh last week. Dr. Fahd Balghonaim, Minister of Agriculture, who is also the president of SOFA chaired the meeting. Dr. Balghonaim launched SOFA's new logo and its website. Esa said the organic farming project was launched in the Kingdom in 2005. However, with the establishment of SOFA in 2008 the sector was streamlined with the development of required legislation, regulations and technical support to farmers. According to Cabinet Decree No. 273 dated 21/8/1428, SOFA would work under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture. Esa said the first two-year phase was focused on drafting specific legislation and regulations, and working on the development of standards required for organic farming activities. The second three-year phase between 2008 and 2010 that ended on Dec. 31, was for the implementation of rules and regulations for the effective running of the sector, he said. “The start of the third phase in January 2011 will offer technical know-how to farmers and streamline their marketing efforts. The Department of Organic Farming in the Ministry of Agriculture will be responsible for legislation, regulation, and technical support to the organic sector,” said Esa. Balghonaim, in his address to the general assembly meeting, said that the area for organic farming in the Kingdom has to be about 27,000 hectares. It is being developed with the support and cooperation of GTZ, a German technical agency with which the Ministry of Agriculture has a contract, he added. GTZ has been offering consultancy services in terms of a regulatory framework for the sector. The German agency is also extending support to the private sector including charts, organizational set-ups, management and work processes, membership and business plans. There is also support in terms of capacity building, training courses, study tours to Europe, trade fair visits and technology transfer. There are around 52 organic farmers in the Kingdom with the size of farms ranging from three hectares to 300 hectares. The hectare is a unit used for the measurement of land. One hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters. A number of agricultural companies in Saudi Arabia have decided to stop using chemicals and artificial fertilizers and to focus exclusively on organic methods such as the use of pest insect repellants and animal manure. With a seed fund of SR15 million, Saudi Arabia has been leading the regional efforts for the growth of an organic food sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Saudi investments in the organic food sector were valued at approximately $267 million in 2009. The Gulf's own market is estimated at around $300 million, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the area's largest food consumer, representing almost 90 percent of the sector. There are currently over 3,000 outlets dedicated to organic and natural products across the Gulf, with rising regional prioritization of health and safety expected to boost this figure within the next few years. Saudi consumers have become increasingly concerned about food quality and the demand for organic food has increased. Many farmers and agricultural companies are now looking for new farming concepts, sustainable technologies, competitive marketing potential and a legal framework for an acknowledged certification scheme.
