Both experienced and beginner growers see opportunities in a versatile vegetable production for local markets, and share experiences in the special knowledge group of consultancy ØkologiRådgivning Danmark. This group is meant to bring growers who want to work on the small-scale production of organic vegetables into contact.
The consultancy took this initiative in response to the increasing interest in organic production. “This new trend is the result of increasing demand for organic vegetables. We want to help growers avoid as many growing pains and pitfalls as possible. There aren’t many places growers can go for support and information. The Økologisk Landsforening helps with a number of measures, and we give advice and the opportunity to exchange experiences,” says consultant Michael Tersbøl of ØkologiRådgivning Danmark.
He is the coordinator of the group, which unites seven growers, mostly from the Jutland region. One of the participants is specialist teacher John Hviid of vocational school Havredal Praktiske Uddannelser. The school has grown vegetables for the local market for three years now. “Us growers have to help each other. We should acquire knowledge and experience, and share this with others,” says Hviid, who grows various vegetables on three hectares this year. The school has its own shop, from where the vegetables are sold to homes and local shops, among other places.
Knowledge and experience
The participants share knowledge and experience about both the production and the sales with each other. “These are two very different things. Growers don’t know enough about sales in particular. They don’t teach that in school, and growers don’t have any experience with it,” says Michael Tersbøl. Yet sales aren’t the biggest obstacle growers face. They also have to deal with time limits, mechanisation and production guidelines.
Good mix
“Time is needed to develop new ways of growing and new sales channels. Besides, we mostly work with special, labour-intensive crops. This could take a disproportionate amount of time in the first year. Mechanisation also costs a lot of time. Where do you get small, second-hand machines? In the end you have to conclude that not much material is available in Denmark, and that you have to go to Sweden or Germany. Only to discover there aren’t any manuals in Danish,” Tersbøl says.
The knowledge group is a good mix of experienced growers wanting to try a new product and young, beginning growers, who want to start their own company without too many large investments.
Source: www.maskinbladet.dk