The Development of Organic Horticulture in New Zealand

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The following resources and activities will be useful for people who have an interest in the development of organic gardening in New Zealand. The resources and activities will enable learners to understand the social and cultural factors that have influenced the development of organic horticulture in New Zealand.Learners will also look at the environmental and commercial factors that influence organic horticulture and then be able to define key factors that would help determine the viability of an organic horticulture venture.The activities and resources have been specifically developed for Otago Polytechnic students who will be assessed on unit 10325.If you are not an Otago Polytechnic student but have found our information useful-please let us know.You can email hortykim at kimt@tekotago .ac.nz Please click here or choose the activity link below for more information and activities to assist with your learning.

• Library of Resources

• Learning Activities

This unit is used in the following courses

• The National Certificate In Horticulture(Level 4) will provide you with an excellent grounding in the principles of horticulture,with the flexibility to focus on the sectors of interest to you.Options include Landscape Construction,Landscape Design,Plant Knowledge,Plant Production and Maintenance,and Sustainable Horticulture.

Identify the social and cultural factors that influence the development of organic horticulture in New Zealand.

• Health and safety influences on the development of organic horticulture are described in terms of the demand for chemical free food and the increase in individual acceptance of responsibility for health.

• Influences of consumer’s rights legislation, organic regulations, and product certification on the development of organic horticulture are identified which may include the following:Fair Trading Act, Consumer Guarantee Act, organic certification, international regulations, national organic standards.

• Societal influences on the development of organic horticulture are described which may include the following considerations:sustainability, food safety, environmental awareness, globalization and social change.

• Food safety influences on the development of organic horticulture are described which may include the following considerations:issues associated with primary production practices, demand for transparent production systems and demand for accountability of producers.

• Environmental awareness influences on the development of organic horticulture are described which may include the following considerations:protection of native and other significant flora and fauna; emphasis on sustainable land management; protection of air, water, soil quality.

Demonstrate knowledge of the environmental factors influencing the development of organic horticulture in New Zealand

• Identify some causes of soil degradation, reduction in productive capacity and loss of biodiversity in fertile growing areas.Some causes may include: soil erosion; pest, disease, and weed infestation; loss of biological diversity.

• Knowledge of ways in which land management requirements of the Resource Management Act may affect organic horticulture is demonstrated and may include air quality, water and catchment protection, waste disposal and reduction.

Demonstrate knowledge of the commercial factors influencing the development of organic horticulture in New Zealand

• Knowledge of commercial factors influencing the viability of non-organic horticulture is demonstrated and may include the following: cost of chemical remedies, development of chemical resistance in pests and diseases, cost of preventing and redressing chemical pollution problems, international competition for key export products and commodities.

• Knowledge of commercial factors promoting the development of organic horticulture operations in New Zealand is demonstrated and may include at least three of the following considerations: increasing demand for certified organically grown produce, price premiums, long term reduction in production costs, and positive promotion of New Zealand horticulture industry.

• Knowledge of commercial factors restricting the development of organic horticulture operations in New Zealand is demonstrated and may include at least three of the following considerations: the relatively high cost of diverse plantings on small holdings, high cost of conversion to organic production, perceived non-commercial orientation and lack of market focus of organic industry, risk associated with high disease pressure on established non-resistant crops.

Define key factors determining the viability of an organic horticulture venture

• The strategies for development of an aware and selective consumer market are defined and may include promotion, consumer education and crop choice.

• The market requirements to be met in production and provision of produce are defined and may include: quality, consistency of supply, presentation, regulatory production standard met, crop choice, demand, volume and timing.

• The management strategies to be used in growing certified organic products are defined and may include crop and cultivar selection and husbandry, commitment to certification fidelity, sustainable use of resources, use of professional guidance and support, management review, commitment to quality, regular review of strategies.