COMACO BECOMES THE FIRST IN AFRICA TO ATTAIN INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION OF ORGANIC GROUNDNUTS PRODUCTION
COMACO BECOMES THE FIRST IN AFRICA TO ATTAIN INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION OF ORGANIC GROUNDNUTS PRODUCTION
Chipata – The Community Markets for Conservation COMACO has attained international organic certification for groundnuts grown by selected COMACO-supported farmers in Eastern Province
These farmers grow groundnuts without chemicals instead they use natural and nature-based farming practices.
This international certification by ECOCERT, a company based in France, will see COMACO exporting groundnuts to the international market.
COMACO Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dale Lewis said that it is exciting for staff and farmers to become the first in Africa to get the certification which was done by dedicated field staff and support from GIZ.
“We believe there is an enormous future market waiting for our farmers if we can scale these efforts to include more farmers and other commodities” he said.
He further said that such an important by-product will reduce pressure on Zambian’s forests and healthier soils to sustain higher yields at reduced costs to the farmer.
Mr. Dale said COMACO is committed to ensuring small-scale farmers receive top market value for their commitment to conservation and have more income and more food by adopting chemical-free organic farming practices.
Organic groundnuts are grown following strict rules that ensures that the crop is free from chemical contaminations as well as contamination from other crops.
A total of 650 farmers out of the registered 4004 took part last season 50% being women.
This contained in press release availed to the media by COMACO Communications Outreach Specialist, Peter Frank Banda.
COMACO marketing agricultural produce
