The Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO) has disclosed that it has attained international organic certification for groundnuts grown by selected farmers in Eastern Province.
In a statement obtained by Money FM News, Organization Chief Executive Officer Lewis Dale said the international certification will see COMACO exporting groundnuts to the international market.
Mr. Dale said it is exciting to become the first in Africa to get the certification adding that the farmers grow groundnuts without chemicals but instead use natural and nature-based farming practices.
“We believe there is an enormous future market waiting for our farmers if we can scale these efforts to include more farmers and other commodities” Mr. Dale said.
He added that such an important by-product will reduce pressure on Zambia’s forests and healthier soils to sustain higher yields at reduce costs to the farmer.
Mr. Dale further said the organization is committed to ensuring small-scale farmers receive top market value for their commitment to conservation and have more income and more food by adopting chemical-free organic farming practices.
“Organic groundnuts are grown following strict rules that ensure that the crop is free from chemical contaminations as well as contamination from other crops. A total of 650 farmers out of the registered 4, 004 took part last season 50% being women,” he stated.