A unique nature of International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) is that it is the single movement, which has been able to bring almost all the organic activists across the globe under one umbrella. Activists associated with IFOAM come from various corners in the world and represent different disciplines. During its thirty years of existence, it has gained recognition from among small-scale organic farmers in the third world to the level of gaining consultative status in the international organisations such as UN and FAO.
At its inception, the vision set out by IFOAM has been diffusion and exchange of information on the principles and practices of organic agriculture (O/A). Based on the achievement of worldwide networking, IFOAM has been able to work towards its vision to a larger extend.
Going by the mission of IFOAM, the worldwide adoption of organic agriculture is gradually seeping through the vast influence made by the green revolution agriculture in Asia. Involvement of IFOAM or realisation of its work could be seen at various levels in developing countries - supporting and/or strengthening the organic movements active in national, sub-regional and regional levels. This level of support is realised either directly or indirectly. Implementation of identified projects and programmes by IFOAM (e.g. IFOAM 99, I-GO etc.) on identified specific subject areas and resulting output from such efforts have helped to strengthen organic activists/groups in the third world and in Asia. Results of such projects have contributed to fill in the information gab, which often prevails at the level of agricultural policy/decision making bodies at national and regional levels. Benefits of facilitation and support provided in having access to authoritative information, exchange of knowledge and information and its diffusion through conferences, trade fairs and publications, making available the IFOAM Basic standards (IBS) and its regular revision, efforts taken for harmonising the organic standards have now slowly started reaching the national governments in the third world. Accreditation of certifying bodies and the benefits of organic produce marketing and related services of International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS) reach smallholder organic farmers in the third world through IFOAM accredited organic certification agencies. Lobbying and advocacy work carried out by IFOAM (e.g. the issue on GMOs) and services rendered to members and associates have been other areas of significant involvement by IFOAM. The array of work carried out by IFOAM has helped and contributed for wider awareness among members and associates and have sensitised not only them but also other organic activists. This has helped to draw attention towards relevant and burning issues, which influence the O/A sector development. In this line, the role of IFOAM has been felt at various scales and in different geographic regions.
Consolidating the development of sub-national, national and regional movements towards the adoption of holistic O/A, as defined by the IFOAM calls for further active involvement by IFOAM in Asia and Africa. Generally, in the third world, particularly in Asia, the efforts of IFOAM need to be further realised at national level through respective governmental mainstream organisations in the sector of Agriculture.
IFOAM, a unique worldwide movement in the organic sector through its structures (member associations, world board members, regional groups, working groups etc.) need to seek mechanisms to contribute, through its mission, for national level development of organic agriculture in Asian countries. The need for such mechanisms would articulate the existing initiatives with the aspirations and expectations of national O/A movements. They demand for constant efforts and activities required for the promotion and development of holistic organic agriculture, that is strongly backed by the IFOAM principles towards the sustainability of agriculture in the third world, particularly in Asia and Africa.
