5.3 Facilitating further adoption of organic farming practices
The final objective of this study focuses on the ways by which further adoption of organic farming practices may be facilitated. Section 4.5 described how the research findings were presented to the inaugural meeting of the Christchurch Garden City Trust’s Commercial Group.
The format of the meeting allowed for an extended presentation of the findings of this research, along with some comparative material from Campbell et al. (1997). This was followed by a session of formal questioning and then two hours of informal discussions. The following sections outline the type of information transferred and issues raised during this meeting, and the ways in which the Christchurch/Canterbury organics industry might utilise these findings.
5.3.1 What information was transferred?
The formal presentation involved four main themes.
- Information support for producers
Producers access to technical information and informal support networks was raised as an issue in this study’s farm based interviews. Producers most distant from central Canterbury were least likely to access formal discussion groups or seminars and field days. Likewise producers who were not producing crops for Watties were less likely to have regular advice and support through either telephone contact or farm visits. Many growers suggested that BIO-GRO might develop greater information support systems including a toll free telephone number and an advisory system to contrast with, but complement, the current inspectorate. It was also noted that while other districts had organic growers groups, the Canterbury Organic Producers Group has lapsed.
- Industry infrastructure for integrated production and marketing
Despite the increasing scale of organic production over the last six years, infrastructure problems still remained a major concern. Growers were concerned that while commodities being exported by some industries had developed a viable infrastructure linking the producers to markets, for many products, this was not the case. Infrastructure development in the domestic market was seen to be an even greater need. For instance, the need for viable infrastructure was identified to enable organic meat to be sold in the domestic (or export) market. Two questions followed from this: was the Organic Products Exporting Group (OPEG) fostered by TRADENZ a suitable vehicle for co-ordinating industry infrastructure for different products?; and did the organics industry require a domestic version of the OPEG?
- Women’s contribution to organics
Producers and other stakeholders have noted gender differences in the organics industry. While exceptions were mentioned in many interviews and discussions, stakeholders recognise that women are under represented in the industry beyond the farm gate, with few participating in business, education, inspection, or industry leadership of organisations such as BIO-GRO or OPEG. Likewise stakeholders recognised that even at the level of the farm women are interested in organic and wider environmental farming issues but men are still generally taken as ‘the farmer’ or the public face of the farm, because men are more often involved in the farm’s physical labour. While this gender difference is apparent, processors, retailers and educators have joined a number of the producers in recognising that women are socially positioned to be influential in increasing awareness and practice of organic farming. Women were recognised as family carers, environmentally perceptive, important economic consumers as buyers for their households, and key farm players as discussion partners and managers of information. Therefore stakeholders have noted the possibly enhanced development of organic markets, organic production, and industry leadership, if women became more involved. Key stakeholders are receptive to considering the added contribution more women could make to the industry.
- Comparisons to the situation in the Bay of Plenty
The findings of this Canterbury study were then applied to the findings of Campbell et al. (1997) whose study in the Bay of Plenty concentrated on the kiwi fruit industry. It was noted that in the kiwifruit industry there is a much higher level of grower involvement in corporate decision making. Also most growers attend monthly discussion groups organised by local packhouses. Organic kiwifruit growers also require no rotational crops and therefore can sell their entire output to lucrative organic markets. These factors were then linked to the very high growth rate in organic kiwifruit production and the increasing acceptance of the legitimacy of organic production by the NZ Kiwifruit Marketing Board (now Zespri International Ltd).
Contact for Enquiries
Kay Brown
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0695
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0746
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