(12PressRelease.com) 14th August 2010,Kathmandu: The south Asia based principal organic certification body, Ecocert India an affiliate of Ecocet S A, France organised the first ever national level convention in Kathmandu on 11th August 2010 for promotion of its diverse organic certification services meant for the categories of food, fiber and cosmetics.
Ecocert India, understanding the latent potential of products coming from the organic farming and the wild areas in Nepal and their uniqueness due to peculiar climatic situations, had much before started its promotional activities in the region. The region situated between the Himalayas and the dense Terai forests is a home to some exceptionally rare wild herbs, plants, whose value has been appreciated by the natives for thousands of years.
“Now the time has come that the rest of the world appreciates their real worth too. The incomparable diversity of the non-timber wild produce like herbs, mushrooms, honey is just awe-inspiring!,†Says Dr. Selvam Daniel, Managing Director of Ecocert India. “The real task is to identify the each and every important wild product‘s use and popularize their consumption, since this is the only way to create the awareness about their real value among the minds of local communities and thereby fostering the sustainable management and conservation of the world‘s one of the precious forests.â€
The convention was attended by over 30 big companies, entrepreneurs and associations from the herbal, farming and tea and coffee sectors of Nepal. The whole day program included the several useful sessions on the organic farming, its importance, technical requirements of various organic as well as Ecocert Fair Trade standards and business opportunities lying ahead for Nepal as a country. The resource persons for the convention were Dr. Pravin Khare and Dr. Amol Nirban from Ecocert India.
“It is really encouraging to see the increasing awareness among the Nepalese agri-businesspersons about the world organic markets and their commitment also to create and meet the demand in the domestic market,†says newly appointed commercial representative of Ecocert in Nepal, Mr. Shanker Gurung, an M.B.A. from Kathmandu. “I am glad to see the response of people here. Ecocert is undoubtedly a big name to associate with, but their real dedication to carve the niche in international trade of organic products is what actually cheers me. “
“Many entrepreneurs here are eager to understand, what is organic, having realized the ill-effects of chemical farming in past, themselves. Besides exports, I see a great potential in the domestic market too. The local, fresh, certified organic food produce could be sold directly to the health and environment conscious urban consumers in the organic retail stores, restaurants, agro/eco-tourism projects and weekly farmers‘ markets. The expatriates, tourists and the elite class of Nepal could be the loyal consumers initially.†adds Gurung.
“The south Asian region is abode of some very unique food, fiber and medicinal and aromatic plants both cultivated and wild. I am sure, the increasing organic and sustainable production of these commodities is going to be in the best interest of the devoted organic consumers and the mother earth too†says Dr. Daniel.
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Rahul Motiyele
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