The first phase of the organic movement, which was formed around 100 years ago, was termed ‘Organic 1.0’. With the establishment of IFOAM – Organics International, the early 1970s saw the emergence of ‘Organic 2.0’. However, Organic 2.0 has run into constraints such as: a low rate of conversion to organic agriculture; not all production techniques fully meeting organic principles; and not sufficiently covering other sustainability dimensions and being rarely considered by policy-makers as an option for mainstream agriculture strategies. Thus, the need for ‘Organic 3.0’, which seeks to put organic agriculture forward as a lighthouse for truly sustainable agriculture and agriculture products systems.The overall goal of Organic 3.0 is to enable a widespread uptake of truly sustainable farming systems and markets based on organic principles and imbued with a culture of innovation, progressive improvement towards best practice, transparent integrity, inclusive collaboration, holistic systems, and true value pricing. It expands the participation options, and positions organic as a modern, innovative farming system that holistically integrates local and regional context including its ecology, economy, society, culture and accountability. Regeneration of resources, responsibility in production, sufficiency in consumption, and ethical and spiritual development of human values, practices and habits are concepts that guide the building of a new organic culture, which can drive societal development. The core of Organic 3.0 is the living relationships between consumers and producers.IFOAM’s publication on Organic 3.0 calls for action from various stakeholders. Umbrella organizations are asked to take the lead in implementing the overall Organic 3.0 concept while research should focus on a culture of innovation. Meanwhile, operators and service providers are to ensure continuous improvement and transparent integrity. Consumer and citizen organizations should lead communications about consumption patterns, and governmental organizations ought to set the regulatory framework for the policy and legal changes required.
source:Greenwatch Desk
