New Zealand: A smart start to organic growing

If you have ever thought about a change to organic production, now is the time to give it serious consideration.

Overseas and domestic demand for organic products are growing, and many products are attracting premiums.

Practical information and advice for organic farmers and growers is now available through the Organic Advisory Programme which was launched on 15 March. The Government has provided $2 million funding for the next 2 1/2 years to OANZ for this programme.

This aim is to increase organic production through assisting growers and farmers to convert to and develop commercially viable, certified organic production.

On 15 March the first of a series of North Island Sector introductions to the Advisory Programme was delivered by Ken Shirley CEO of OANZ (Organics Aotearoa New Zealand) to the Certified Organic Kiwifruit Growers Association (COKA).

The South Island launch of the Programme at Lincoln University also provided information about how funds will be spread among grower groups, a consultancy programme and a comprehensive website.

Many growers are now successfully using organic systems and obtaining as good as, or higher, levels of production than conventional farmers. But to be successful requires a lot more than just substituting organic inputs for non-organic.

Careful planning is required, using the latest scientifically based information, to recycle wastes and activate and increase soil organisms and organic matter.

And it has to stack up financially.

Smart Start consultations will help growers who are seriously considering or just starting certified organic production to properly assess all these issues for their farm situation (see the box below).

Several sector and regional groups are receiving funding for providing information on practical organic production to assist new and existing growers in various ways such as field days and discussion groups.

For a list of these groups and more information about the Organic Advisory Programme visit the OANZ website: www.oanz.org.nz

Information is being added to this site daily, so if you don't find what you want, revisit a few days later.

An 0800 help line will be available shortly for growers to seek answers to specific questions.

Source: farmnews.co.nz