KSA organic farmers seek support

(MENAFN- Arab News) The Saudi Organic Farming Association said that the organic farming industry in the Kingdom is currently facing many problems. These include difficulties in acquiring organic agricultural input, especially since most of these are imported, in addition to a lack of public awareness about national organic products. The association stressed the importance of coming up with agricultural plans and organic farming policies with the purpose of strengthening the organic agricultural sector and its employees and lending support to traditional farms to transform into organic farms. The 2012 annual report of the Saudi Organic Association stressed the importance of introducing a national slogan for national organic products and strengthening linkages between the slogan and various organic products. This will encourage consumers to purchase organic products and drive up its demand through a strong message to consumers that focuses on the health benefits of these products. The association's report said the successful expansion of marketing organic products depends on convincing consumers of product qualities and benefits. The outside appearance of the products, including packaging and branding, should be improved. The report stressed the importance of encouraging active organic farming members to develop marketing concepts, which can be translated into products that are attractively packaged and presented. Even though development activity has been introduced to organic agricultural guidance during the past few years, this service is still insufficient in various parts of the Kingdom. More attention needs to be paid to this sector to guarantee competent and correct organic production at the local level. The report added that agricultural support shouldn't be limited to the needs of different areas but that support should depend on the potential of these areas and its principal products. "Farmers' access to organic input is still limited, especially when importing seeds from outside the Kingdom. There are expectations that the organic agricultural sector will expand, which will encourage potential investment in this market. There should be special care in providing ideal working conditions for all the sector's employees, whether in the private or public sector," the report said.