LOAM is a national association in Sri Lanka with 70 members that promotes organic agriculture. Its primary objectives are to promote organic agriculture in Sri Lanka, contribute to establishing standards for organic agriculture, and create awareness about organic agriculture among various target groups. LOAM has helped recognize organic agriculture by the Sri Lankan government and establish an organic products council and guidelines for organic production and processing standards. The guidelines are based on IFOAM basic standards and focus on soil and water conservation, biodiversity, prohibiting genetic engineering, and using organic pest and disease management.

1. Introduction of LOAM
and guidelines for
Organic Certification
S.Vaheesan
Helvetas Sri Lanka & LOAM
LANKA ORGANIC 1
AGRICULT URAL MOVEMENTS

2. What is LOAM?
National Association with 70 members
LOAM – Lanka Organic Agricultural
Movement, It is involved in:
Promotion of O/A and Awareness
creation on O/A
Policy Advocacy for O/A
Advisory support
Technical collaboration on O/A
LANKA ORGANIC 2
AGRICULT URAL MOVEMENTS

3. Primary objectives of
LOAM
To promote Organic Agriculture (OA) in
Sri Lanka (SL)
To contribute to establish, improve and
maintain standards for O/A in SL
To create awareness on O/A among
different target groups – various interest
groups, mainstream gov. organisations in
the Agriculture sector,public in general.
LANKA ORGANIC 3
AGRICULT URAL MOVEMENTS

4. Main out puts by LOAM
OA sector has been recognized by the
Government
An organic products council (OPC) has
been initiated
Setting up guidelines for organic
production and processing standards
Proposed a certification label for “certified
organic” in Sri Lanka
LANKA ORGANIC 4
AGRICULT URAL MOVEMENTS

5. Highlights of the guidelines
for organic stds.
Prepared based on the IFOAM Basic
standards
Principles and aims of O/A - holistic
Organic Ecosystems – system based approach
–main aim is to conserve biodiversity
Soil and water conservation- conservation
through recycling and re-use
LANKA ORGANIC 5
AGRICULT URAL MOVEMENTS

6. Guidelines contd.
Genetic engineering – not allowed
Wild harvested products- permitted, derived
from sustainable & stable systems
Conversion period – 24 months for annual
crops, 36 months for perennial crops
Crop production through rotation &
diversification
Use of Seeds and their production - mostly of
organic origin
LANKA ORGANIC 6
AGRICULT URAL MOVEMENTS

7. Guidelines contd.
Soil management – long term
programme based on composted organic
material, animal and green manures
On-farm production of organic materials
for nitrogen self sufficiency – hedge rows
and cover crops
Pest & disease management through
biological, physical and cultural means
LANKA ORGANIC 7
AGRICULT URAL MOVEMENTS

8. Guidelines contd.
Processing and handling of organic
produce
Labeling of produce “Certified Organic” or
‘made with organic ingredients”, “In
conversion”
Animal husbandry
Indigenous knowledge
Annexes
LANKA ORGANIC 8
AGRICULT URAL MOVEMENTS

9. LANKA ORGANIC 9
AGRICULT URAL MOVEMENTS