The
              Report

No. 87: Organic farming 
in South East Queensland urged

RESEARCHER DETAILS

This research was carried out by Lindsay Coghill, Geoff Power and Graham Wilson. Ph: 07 4688 1334; 
Fax: 07 4688 1808. Email: coghill@dpi.qld.gov.au

Fact sharing is needed to encourage more farmers to start producing organic / biodynamic food in south east Queensland, according to a report to the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC). Researchers Lindsay Coghill, Geoff Power and Graham Wilson of Queensland’s Department of Primary Industry (DPI), said proving organic food production systems were viable would enable farmers to take organics beyond a cottage industry.

But a challenge exists to encourage more farmers into the industry. The research shows that while acceptance of organic foods is initially slow, a rapid increase in demand soon exceeds supply.

As organic food production increases so does the size of the market, thus reducing the market share of products produced by conventional methods. Organic production does not replace conventional produce, but provides an alternative food source, often with tangible benefits for those involved both in production and consumption.

Funded by RIRDC as part of its Organic Produce R&D program, the findings point directly to the need to provide timely and current information on organic production in Queensland. The report says the DPI has an important role to play in this.

The Project

The goals of the project were to:
 


Several field days were held to establish needs within the organic production community to provide producers and those interested in the industry with information on opportunities for organic food and fibre production in

Farmers also received information on:
 


As part of the project, an Australian organic research group visited US organic-related retail, wholesale and research facilities to research a report to producers on Australian applications of overseas organic farming methods.

The Results

Responses from field days participants showed a need to provide details about where farmers can access information on organic production and management changes required for a move to organic production.

From the success of the first events, a number of field days and trade missions were initiated in other regions. These flow-on activities demonstrated there were tangible benefits from holding field days and information seminars – with activities considered essential by partici-pant responses.

An Internet-based message and E-mail system, DPI FarmLink, is being used to augment other information distribution. While not all farmers currently have access to the Internet, usage is growing.

As a direct result of the overseas trade delegation, international experts are being encouraged to commit to speaking engagements to the organic community when visiting Queensland.

Summary

Big opportunities exist for organic production in Australia and the DPI can take a lead role in the success of the industry in Queensland.

But organic production can only grow adequately if actively promoted and supported. A key is to determine where resources should be directed.

The report to RIRDC has shown the necessity for opportunity-specific research and where possible, apply the findings across other areas within the organic industry.

The DPI has developed and is trialing a process that can take a market signal and assess its potential within a region.

It involves six stages. These are:

1.  identifying market opportunities;

2.  identifying value chain segments and limiting factors;

3.  establishing an organic industry advisory committee;

4.  holding events, seminars and field days;

5.  forming producer groups;

6.  providing group facilitation and needs identification.

By making an opportunity-specific assessment, combining knowledge of regional capability and expertise, the potential of the original market signal can be determined.

The DPI needs to continue to develop and multiply its work, for without this stimulant, the organic industry will not grow sufficiently to meet demand.

Currently, the DPI is conducting this research in addition to existing activities. But the department needs to make organic research a core business commitment, so it meets the needs of the industry.

For this to work, the department needs to allocate resources to:
 


Research also is needed to find answers to questions posed by the organic industry. Markets for organic produce must be assessed, and information provided on conversion processes and details of organic production costs and returns.

Methods to access, store and generate information must be maintained in a way suitable for easy access by producers so they can make informed decisions.

The report says the DPI is well suited to coordinate these activities and to remain an integral partner in the success of viable organic food production in Australia.

Other RIRDC organic produce reports: