Information and Service
Naturland helps overseas projects, including many small farmers' co-operatives in developing countries, in questions of agriculture and certification. The experts in Naturland's International Department visit regularly the Naturland members all over the world and procure information on all questions of organic agriculture standards, conversion and certification requirements and the processing of organic produce.
Naturland representatives throughout the world
By being present on a local level, Naturland can justifiably claim to be a qualified co-operation partner of international calibre in matters of organic agriculture. Naturland's representatives in Mexico, India and Ecuador offer speedy and competent advice on questions such as certification requirements, certification procedure, quality standards, acceptance and legal requirements for export to all corners of the world.
Organic cultivation guidelines
Naturland* has written a standard work on the organic cultivation of cash crops in the tropics and sub-tropics, with recommendations on the production, processing and product specifications. From bananas to vanilla on 10 up to 40 pages, according to the crop described, the most important information about cultivation, details on the production process as well as product specifications are given.
Each guideline is supplemented with a comprehensive introduction of the principles of organic agriculture. The guidelines are also available in Spanish and German.
Flyer of Naturland cultivation guidelines (pdf-file, 291 kB)
* with the financial support of the German Society for Technical Co-operation (GTZ)
Internal Control Sytem (ICS)
Since 1989 Naturland has been working together with smallholder organisations worldwide. Its experience in this field has caused Naturland to view the concept and implementation of a functional and well-organized Internal Control System (ICS) as one of the most important prerequisites for a successful development in the international certification of smallholder organisations producing organically. In addition the ICS is seen as an important tool to reduce the annual costs of external inspection.
Naturland published one of the first handbooks for the "implementation of ICS in smallholder organisations". The handbook is available in English and Spanish. It is free of charge for all members and ensures, that smallholder organisations have access to the information needed in order to implement an Internal Control System (ICS).
Summary of costs of external inspections (pdf-file, 176 KB)
ICS: a usefull tool for smallholder organisations (pdf-file, 84 KB)
