EU Organic Day: Celebrating a Movement in Zimbabwe

By Tendai Chisiri

 

On September 12, the European Union (EU) marked EU Organic Day in Zimbabwe, highlighting the importance of sustainable agriculture practices.

EU Head of Cooperation, Ms. Anna Cichoka, emphasized that celebrating Organic Day is not just about marking a calendar event, but about recognizing a movement that values healthy soils, safe food, vibrant rural communities, and a sustainable planet.

“A movement that values healthy soils, safe food, vibrant rural communities, and planets that can sustain us for generations to come,” Ms. Cichoka said. “Organic farming is not just about farming without chemicals; it’s about the soils that hold water, farms that bear fruit, food that we serve happily, and young people who see farming as a real career opportunity.”

The EU Organic Day is celebrated worldwide on September 23, with this year’s theme being “Catalysing youth participation – fostering market linkages in regenerative and organic agriculture value chains in Zimbabwe.” The event in Zimbabwe was hosted by the Organic Farming Academy (OFA), which has been promoting sustainable agriculture practices among smallholder farmers and wild plant collectors.

OFA’s initiatives include comprehensive training modules on certified and regenerative organic farming practices, facilitating organic certification processes, and promoting biochar production to enhance soil fertility and carbon sequestration. The organization has established three biochar production facilities, producing 343 tons of biochar and sequestering 878 tons of CO2.

Ms. Cichoka highlighted the potential for organic farming in Zimbabwe, noting that the demand for organic products is rising globally. “In Europe, we believe in this strongly; we have committed to bringing a quarter of all our farmlands under organic land by 2030. It’s ambitious but possible when farmers, governments, and partners work hand in hand.”

Klaus Merckens of Merckens Development Support and EU Green South project coordinator echoed Ms. Cichoka’s sentiments, stating that the organic sector is experiencing growth globally. “People are concerned about their health, the quality of food, and climate change,” he said. “There’s a need to protect biodiversity and promote responsible farming practices.”

The event was attended by representatives from the Federal Republic of Germany Embassy, SNV, Organic Africa Holdings, and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development.