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Organic farming is not new to Sri Lanka. Traditional agricultural practices in the country were based on the development of healthy, fertile soil; growing a mixture of crops and encouraging a diversity of beneficial insects and other natural means to produce good crops. Fifteen Sri Lankan companies are now exporting crops grown organically. Almost 2000 hectares have been certified as organic production areas, but there is more scope for the development of organic agriculture and organic foods. These companies currently export organic tea, spices, essential oils, cashew, sesame seeds, herbs and desiccated coconut to Europe and other countries. Organic crops or food, which is basically produced without the use of chemical fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides or genetically modified organisms, also fetch over thirty percent more than conventional product prices. The Export Development Board (EDB) has offered to find markets for organically grown crops through the Internet. “Animals were reared as naturally as possible without the routine use of drugs, antibiotics and feed additives so the food that was grown was devoid of chemicals and other damaging substances," said an official at EDB's Export Agriculture Division. She insisted that Sri Lanka's own traditional knowledge would be useful in redeveloping these age-old practices. Widespread concern and resistance to the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the food chain has resulted in the upsurge for organic goods especially in European markets. EDB follows the European Union set of regulations and standards for organic certification. These standards cover a broad range of aspects including growing methods, farm animal welfare, environmental criteria, processing and packaging. The Export Agriculture Division of the EDB is willing to help source market opportunities to help those who are interested in venturing into this very profitable area.
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External Internet links: 
Organic
Agriculture at FAO
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