Our Work
SAOSO takes responsibility for food sovereignty and sustainable development through organic production practices.
Organic agriculture has been proven to be more efficient in times of climate change and drought, and far better suited to the large majority of farmers who choose to farm in an ecologically sound manner.
Our strategy and work is focused on:
Harnessing opportunities for the organic sector
Research that furthers the adoption of organic agriculture
Access to market through PGS and organic certification
Collaborating and networking nationally, regionally and internationally
Uniting and promoting the organic agriculture sector
The emergent organic sector is defining our food heritage and best-practice land use. Support of local farmers assists South Africa’s economy to transform through a vibrant agricultural sector that will lead to social reform that will benefit all.
SAOSO’s mandate is to develop the organic sector from training programmes through to value chain activities. SAOSO has partnered with PGS SA to develop a grassroots movement of organic farmers nationally. Growing food sovereignty through partnerships and programs provincially. Aligning farmers to Ecological Organic Agriculture and PGS nationally, producing to the SAOSO standard.
Our Projects
KHSA
SAOSO is the South African node of the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in Southern Africa (KHSA). KHSA aims to scale up the adoption of organic farming practices in the Southern African region and the South African-based Sustainability Institute provides support for project implementation in the region.
KHSA is part of the Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture in Africa (KCOA) project. The KCOA project is a collaborative country-led partnership funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and non-governmental organisations.
KHSA focuses on project activities in Zambia, led by Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zambia; in Namibia, led by the Namibia Nature Foundation in collaboration with the Namibian Organic Association; and in South Africa, led by the South African Organic Sector Organisation (SAOSO). GIZ is also working on projects in north, east, west and central Africa.
PGS SA
Participatory Guarantee Systems South Africa (PGS SA) was established in 2011 and is the body representing PGS groups in the country. It is dedicated to supporting the establishment of provincial communities of practice and PGS groups that help facilitate local market access for organic and agroecological farmers.
To expand the awareness and uptake of organic farming methods, SAOSO and PGS SA trained and supported 20 PGS Pollinators or community practitioners to establish new PGS groups in South Africa.
In 2023, SAOSO and PGS SA merged enabling operations to be streamlined. PGS SA, now a division of SAOSO, plays a vital role in empowering smallholder farmer groups to unlock the economic, environmental and social benefits of organic farming. By fostering local, climate-resilient food systems, PGS SA helps maintain healthy soils and communities. Their transparent, farmer-focused model not only ensures the integrity of organic products for consumers but also creates a collaborative network for farmers through knowledge-sharing and farm visits. By driving food sovereignty and promoting farmer-led, community-based food systems, PGS SA strengthens regional value chains and fosters collaboration among stakeholders.
Harmonisation of Standards
SAOSO and PGS SA are part of the technical working group tasked with harmonising the SANS:1369 Standard for Organic Production and Processing and the SAOSO Standard for Organic Production and Processing v1.7 to the latest version of the IFOAM norms and standards.
Version 2 of the SAOSO Standard has been released and accepted into the IFOAM standard and includes wild harvesting, beekeeping and honey production, aquaculture and insect production. This will also mean that the SABS Standard will be part of the international IFOAM Family of Standards of which SAOSO is already a member.
Our Priorities
Promote and ensure transparency and integrity in the value chain, with producers aligned to the SAOSO Organic Standard for Production and Processing.
Promote and expand PGS across South Africa to support the development of alternative agricultural value chains.
Engage regional and international partners to preserve and regenerate healthy ecology and biodiversity through best agricultural practice.
Lobby and effect policy change to create an enabling environment for agroecology.
To maximise the benefits of organic agriculture to the environment, health and society.
Our Partners
You
Our most important partners in our quest to change the way our food is produced and to advocate for recognition of the many advantages of ecological organic agriculture are our members. We are here to represent you in the development of the organic value chain from farm to fork. We need to hear from you. Click on the button below to sign up or let us know how we can better represent you
Your Organisation
Second on the list are those organisations that resonate with principles encompassed by The Rights of Mother Earth, The Earth Charter, Rights of Indigenous People and Section 24 of our Constitution. If you understand how the principles of organic agriculture – health, ecology, fairness and care – can lead to a more prosperous society where nutritious food is available for all, then we would like to partner with you.
PGS SA
SAOSO has partnered with the Participatory Guarantee System of South Africa (PGS SA) to develop a grassroots movement of organic farmers nationally. Growing food sovereignty through partnerships and programs provincially. Aligning farmers to Ecological Organic Agriculture and PGS nationally, producing to the SAOSO standard.
IFOAM
SAOSO is a member of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) which is the worldwide umbrella organisation for the organic agriculture movement. IFOAM assisted with the development of the SAOSO standard.
Control Union
SAOSO has partnered with Control Union, the accredited certifying body who can provide organic certification services to the SAOSO standard.
The Sustainability Institute
SAOSO has signed an agreement with The Sustainability Institute as the South African node of the Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in Southern Africa to deliver activities on the ground that align with the aims and objectives of the Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture in Southern Africa. We are hopeful that this project will extend through to 2025.
Access Agriculture
Access Agriculture is a non-profit organisation that promotes the transitions towards organic farming and agroecology across the global South.
BDAASA
The Biodynamic Agricultural Association Southern Africa (BDAASA) strives to strengthen and advance the practice of biodynamic agriculture.
