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Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
Summary of full report
By S McCoy and G Parlevliet
Organic Produce Research and Development
00/189 DAW-85A
Executive Summary
The five products covered in this report were identified in an earlier RIRDC report, "Export Market Potential for Clean and Organic Agricultural Products", as target products for priority development by the Australian organic industry. The products are wheat, beef, citrus, wine and carrots.
The information presented aims to provide conventional growers, unfamiliar with organic farming and certification, sufficient detail to consider the various changes that may be required to their current farming practices when assessing the feasibility of conversion to an organic system. The term organic is used in a general sense to include biodynamic.
With the rapid expansion of markets for certified organic products, pressure is growing from competing suppliers to capture a share of these markets. Product distinction and quality assurance is becoming increasingly important for Australian organic producers in order to establish and maintain a strong position in premium export markets.
Claims made on a product label must be verifiable in order to gain consumer confidence that the product does in fact provide expected benefits and any price premium is justified. In addition to certification for organic production, a quality assurance program incorporating a HACCP system, can provide important food health and safety assurances, whilst ensuring other product quality requirements such as taste, appearance and presentation are maintained in every consignment.
For organic products to remain distinguished in consumer perceptions, the spectrum and integrity of benefits that the ‘organic’ label can simultaneously provide must be broadened and reinforced. Organic products must go beyond health, safety and environmental qualities, to satisfy the consumer need for convenience and finally the desire for enjoyable ‘sensory experiences’.
One major problem faced by many new growers is establishing premium markets for product during the transition years before full organic status. The commercial risk associated with this transition period may be minimised by; establishing markets for product ‘in conversion’ to organic; developing strong mutual commitment and support between farmers and buyers throughout the period of conversion; and developing production and marketing alliances with other growers.
The report provides a general coverage of the organic certification system operating within Australia and highlights important requirements related to organic production based on the Australian ‘National Standards for Organic and Biodynamic Produce’.
Production system guidelines for each of the five target products are presented in separate sections. Details covering general principles, strategies and techniques used by growers are presented. The principles of organic agriculture, encompassing an integrated whole system approach, is a common theme for all farms. A range of organic techniques relating to soil fertility, weeds, pests and disease management are described. Specific details should be amended to suit each circumstance and enterprise when planning and developing an organic system.
Collaboration between existing
experienced organic growers and new entrants is essential if the Australian
organic industry is to capture a share of rapidly expanding markets and
provide a valuable direction for mainstream agriculture.
 
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