Organic Agriculture Programme

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO has identified organic agriculture as one of its Priority Areas for Interdisciplinary action. The medium term objectives of Organic Agriculture Programme (OAP) are to support FAO member nations by increasing their capacity to effectively produce, handle, process, inspect, certify and market organic foods.

Three main areas of work of FAO in Organic Agriculture Programme are :-

  • Strengthening the ability to exchange information and to set up organic agriculture networks, in order to ensure that producers, operators and governments have access to reliable and quality information needed for informed decision making, for directing research and extension and for making investments
  • Developing and disseminating knowledge and tools that support organic plant protection, soil and nutrient management, animal husbandry and post harvest operations, especially in developing countries and market-marginalised areas; and
  • Assisting governments in designing the types of legal and policy frameworks that provide support to farmers by facilitating the marketing and trade of certified organic products that meet international and certification standards
The aim of this Website is to offer information on organic agriculture available at FAO. It also functions as a "road map" whereby users are directed to other relevant websites.

The Food and Agriculture Organization leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information. We help developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition for all. Since our founding in 1945, we have focused special attention on developing rural areas, home to 70 percent of the world's poor and hungry people.