Addis Abeba — Ethiopian Association of Organic Agriculture (EAOA) officially launched on Thursday to work for a better income of farmers and natural resources conservation and sustainable economic development for the country.

Tesfaye Tekle-Haimanot, the Board Chairman of the newly established association at the launching ceremony at Hilton said that the concept of Organic Agriculture in Ethiopia was introduced and promoted by co-operative private companies, exporters and NGOs.

The global development of organic agriculture, organic products market share is growing with 20 percent every year, where as in food consumption of developed countries organic share reached about 40 percent.

These economic developments in international market and consumption awoke some concerns social strata or operators and NGOs to invest their idea on development of organic agriculture in Ethiopia, so as the country can move forward to benefit from this organic potential market, he added.

According to the Board Chairman, the EAOA invites only those firms that have organic certificate in different products like coffee, sesame, honey, but still there may be firms that are certified for organic production export, whom couldn't trace.

"EAOA can't achieved unless work hand in hand with corporate members and cooperatives, NGOs, government and international organizations," he added.

Dr. Tewelde Gebre Egziabher, General Director of the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Agency and Chairment of the General Assembly of EAOA said on his part that the Associatioin can play a critical role to link this organic agricultural production system to the global market with the appropriate recognition that it is indeed organic.

The organic products not only help maintain a healthy nutrition with good natural flavors as well as protect the environment in Ethiopia, but also stimulate profitable export.

Members from NGOs who have relation with organic activities were selected to be part of the association.