They said a certification authority should be formed immediately for organic vegetables which are produced by using natural fertilisers.

The workshop on ' Trade and investment-related EU legislation' was organised under a project titled 'An action for capacity building of the actors involved in export-oriented vegetable production and exports' at the hall room of agricultural extension department in the city.

In a paper Dr Lenin Azad, technical consultant of the project, said though organic vegetables are being produced in the country, their export as well as sale in local market is not encouraged due to absence of certification.

To overcome the hurdle, there should be a certification authority in the country which will certify the level of organic or inorganic ingredients in the vegetables, he added.

Dr Azad said the country can earn a lot of foreign exchange by exporting the organic vegetables.

"But if we want to export organic vegetables in the markets of European countries, we have to comply with the European Union's (EU) agricultural commodities-related legislation and according to the EU's legislation only organic vegetables can be exported," he added.

Dr Azad pointed out that transportation problem and lack of preservation and cargo facilities are also major impediments to the export of organic vegetables.

He also suggested for taking specific steps to produce and supply necessary organic materials for the cultivation of organic vegetables.

Dr Azad said the main aim of the project which has been implementing in Jhenidah, Jessore and Chuadahnga districts since July 1, 2006, is to increase the production of export-oriented vegetables.

Abdur Rahim, a farmer of Jhenidah, said he earned more money by selling organic vegetables as the cost of natural fertiliser is also low.

Putting emphasis on united efforts to cultivate more organic vegetables, he said farmers must be informed of the advantages of using natural fertilisers.

Rafiqul Islam, assistant director general of Hortex Foundation, said about 38 thousand tons of vegetables are being exported annually.

In order to increase the volume of export, a certification system is a must, he added.

Presiding over the workshop, Dr ANM Rezaul Karim, coordinator of Integrated Pest Management Collaborative Research Support Programme, stressed on creating market for organic vegetables as the cultivation will increase if the market is created.

Organised by Action in Development (AID), the workshop was also addressed by Musleh Uddin Faruque, Farhat Jahan and Aminul Islam Bakul.