IICD supported project: Integrating ICT for Quality Assurance and Marketing - Zambia

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Countries: Zambia [ZM]
Sectors: livelihoods
image: project in state 4

Summary

The project of the Organic Producers and Processors Association of Zambia (OPPAZ), supported by IICD and HIVOS, aims to increase organic production for local and export markets by promoting the use of organic agricultural production methods that are environmentally sustainable. Access to organic markets for small-scale farmers requires proper organic production standards and certification, and in order to achieve these standards, it is necessary that they establish and implement an Internal Control System (ICS).

This monitoring, traceability and documentation system assists the farmer groups in generating the necessary data needed to maintain quality standards and crop quantities. Furthermore, the management of an ICS reduces the overhead costs involved in certification, which are otherwise too high for most small-scale farmers. The system will be tested at three pilot sites (Chongwe, Mongu and Mpongwe). The collected data on production methods and international quality standards for organic produce will be published on the internet for international partners who would like to buy their produce. The system has therefore a double function as internal control system and as marketing tool.

Update

Updated: 2008-07-03

OPPAZ-office In October 2007, Altran, an ICT Consultancy partner of IICD, conducted a detailed information and technology needs assessment of pilot organisations and OPPAZ. Altran was also involved in improving the functional design of the ICS.

Introduction

OPPAZ is an umbrella organization for 48 groups representing organic farmers, processors and wild harvesters across Zambia. The international organic foods market is growing rapidly, and offers an important opportunity to develop this agricultural niche in Zambia, and thus to help alleviate poverty. However, organic foods must be certified by a recognised body to ensure that they meet established criteria. For small-scale Zambian producers, the certification process, which requires documentation so that food is traceable from the producer to the consumer, is costly and complex, and they need assistance to understand and respond to the accreditation criteria.

Objectives

Detailed information and technology needs assessment of pilot organizations and OPPAZ
OPPAZ ICT infrastructure upgraded
Pilot sites adequately equipped
Appropriate human capacity recruited
Development of human capacity
Improved functioning and monitoring of the ICS
Information and market networking

Development Impacts

OPPAZ expects the organic food industry in Zambia to grow by 100% between 2005 and 2010, and anticipates that 80% of its current members will apply for accreditation by the end of this period. Started in October 2006, the ICS project will help farmers meet international standards for organic production, thus making an expensive and complex process feasible for small-scale producers. A second, less costly certification process for Zambian markets, using standards identical to EU standards, will also enable OPPAZ to identify produce locally as ‘OPPAZ-Certified.’ The enhanced ICS will also build links to new export markets, help build local markets for organic foods, and provide information on market trends, prices, regulations, etc. The end result should be a sustainable, vibrant organic food industry that will help reduce poverty.

For the pilot project, immediate beneficiaries include 700 producers, and their families, for a total of about 3500 people; ultimately, the project will benefit the 19,000 individual members of OPPAZ, as well as their families, for a total number of over 100,000 people.