4. Organic vegetable production

Foreword
Despite increased demand for organic products, particularly in export markets, farm conversion to organic
agricultural systems in Australia is slow. An important impediment to conversion is lack of relevant information.
This document offers a comprehensive view of organic farming and the ‘paddock-to-plate’ requirements for
successful organic vegetable production. It is one of three guides developed for organic agricultural systems—one
each for vegetables, rice and soybeans, and rangeland livestock production. The guides arose as a result of a larger
project that was coordinated by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and jointly sponsored by the Rural
Industries Research and Development Corporation.
A series of workshops for NSW Department of Primary Industries staff and organic industry specialists
underpinned the guides’ development. During these workshops the similarities and differences between
conventional and organic systems were discussed and, where possible, ways of overcoming any perceived
impediments to conversion were identified. This formed the framework for the draft publications. Stage two of the
project involved presentation of the drafts to organic and conventional producers at additional workshops across
regional New South Wales and a final review by organic certifying organisations.
This publication does not aim to be prescriptive; rather, it provides a framework for organic conversion and
pathways towards conversion. In addition to general organic principles, each guide describes possible methods
of organic production for the commodity in question, the market potential, possible marketing strategies, the
economics of production, processing requirements, and quality assurance.
True evaluation of the publication lies with practitioners. The authors hope the information provided will help
make the transition to organic production a smooth one.
The project was funded from RIRDC core funds, which are provided by the Australian Government.
This report, an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 1700 research publications, forms part of the Organic
Systems R&D Program, which aims to deliver R&D to facilitate the organic industry’s capacity to meet rapidly
increasing demand—domestically and globally.
Most of RIRDC’s publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through the RIRDC
website:
• downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/fullreports/index.html
• purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop
Peter O’Brien
Managing Director
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation