4. Organic vegetable production

Executive summary
Background
Market signals, both domestic and
international, indicate significant
demand for organically produced
product. By the year 2015 it is
predicted that the world trade in
organic products will be US$100
billion. Australia has an opportunity
to capture a proportion of this
market. However, whilst demand
for organic products is high,
particularly in export markets, the
rate of farm conversion to organic
agricultural systems is relatively
slow. Currently only about one
percent of Australian producers are
involved in organic production and
the area devoted to such production
is only about 0.8 percent of total
area farmed.
What is the report about?
Fundamental to marketing an
organic product is being able to
prove to the consumer the organic
integrity of the product ‘from
paddock to plate’. The publication
offers readers a step-by-step guide
through the organic conversion and
certification process for a vegetable
enterprise. Topics such as farm
selection and establishment; weed,
pest and disease management; soil
and crop nutrition; variety selection;
rotation design; and irrigation
management are discussed. Case
studies provide information about
organic production of processing
tomatoes, asparagus and pumpkins,
and economic gross margins are
given for rockmelons, sweet corn
and pumpkins.
Organic vegetables are marketed
through supermarkets, direct
to restaurants, through organic
retailers and wholesalers, via
home delivery services, at farmers
markets, and as exports. Marketing
methods, promotional activities,
and packaging and labelling
requirements are described, as are
the central features of developing
effective marketing alliances.
Although organic farming
essentially excludes the use of
substances to provide crop nutrition
and to treat weeds, pests and
diseases, the organic standards
do permit limited use of some
substances. Soil health and crop
pest, disease and weed management
are discussed and a reference guide
to the substances permitted under
organic standards is provided. Of
course, being organic does not
relieve a farmer of the need to
comply with state or territory and
federal laws. Some of the regulatory
requirements an organic vegetable
producer might encounter are also
discussed.
Finally, there is a comprehensive
bibliography and a list of contacts
for people keen to further explore
the intricacies of organic agriculture
and to help them with their farming
and marketing activities.
Objectives
This publication does not aim to
be prescriptive; rather, it provides a
framework for organic conversion
and pathways towards conversion
within the field of organic
vegetable production. It details
general production principles
for organic vegetables, as well as
their production methods, market
potential, possible marketing
strategies, economics of production,
processing requirements, and means
of quality assurance.
Methods
A series of workshops for
NSW Department of Primary
Industries staff and organic
industry specialists underpinned
this publications 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.
Results and
Recommendations
The report draws together the
information gathered from the
workshops and other sources into
a guide for producers of organic
vegetables. It identifies the
principles of organic farming and
the requirements a producer needs
to gain certification, including
the relevant industry bodies and
organisations. It discusses the range
of on-farm and post-production
aspects which influence the ability
of a producer to meet standards
for organic production and allow
the delivery of the product to the
most appropriate markets. The
case studies provide examples of the
organic production requirements for
three different vegetable crops.
Export Potential for Organics
—opportunities and barriers—
RIRDCInnovation for rural Australia
Export Potential for Organics—
opportunities and barriers, No. 06/061.
ix