You would struggle to think of anyone who has a stronger connection to the land than a farmer. When your livelihood is so thoroughly connected to the wellbeing of the environment, you develop a more profound understanding of what is in nature’s best interests. In this sense, the rise of organics in New Zealand was inevitable and it is, ultimately, the way of the future.
Organic farming is fast becoming one of the most significant parts of food production in New Zealand. With annual sales turnover exceeding $700 million when combining domestic and export markets, the commercial organic farming industry has come a long way from its humble beginnings in the early 1980s. So, is organic farming profitable? Absolutely. Any sense that organics is a non-viable niche market for growers simply no longer holds true.
What is Organic Produce?
Organic produce is understood generally to be farmed without the use of synthetic, chemical fertilisers and pesticides. This sounds straightforward enough, but it requires a fully integrated approach to ensure large scale organic production is sustainable. To achieve this, producers use a variety of techniques to manage pests including heat treatments and other mechanical solutions. They also avoid the use of synthetic fertilisers, opting instead for organic formulations (more on that in a bit).
There are four recognised certifiers in New Zealand that verify a product’s organic credentials. The largest and most trusted is BioGro, whose certification standards have been developed over several decades to cater specifically to New Zealand organic growers.
Why is it Important?
Avoiding a buildup of harmful chemical fertilisers and pesticides in the soil is necessary to protect the long term sustainability of our precious agricultural land, and cultivation techniques guided by principles of organic production is the only way to achieve this true Kaitiakitanga guardianship and protection.
Obviously, commercial interests also play a significant role in determining the success of organic farming. New Zealand is well known for its environmentally sustainable mindset, with a majority of New Zealand consumers purchasing organic products on a regular basis. There has been broad and rapid growth in organics across the food production industry with peas, corn and kiwifruit having particular success along with horticultural crops including fruit, vegetables and nuts thriving in the domestic market.
How We Can Help
At Roots, Shoots and Fruits, we are proud to be at the forefront of the organic fertiliser industry in New Zealand, supporting growers to yield crops in an environmentally and economically sustainable way. Our products are BioGro certified and have been scientifically proven to provide superior results for commercial growers.
Our products utilise glycine chelation technology where two glycine molecules, the smallest amino acid, attach to metal ions to facilitate more effective absorption into the plant. This technology is patented under the name Biomin and can be applied to the soil or sprayed directly onto the leaves through foliar application.
Scientific studies attest to the power of glycine-chelated fertilisers, including one demonstrating the effectiveness of glycine-chelated calcium in improving calcium levels in kiwifruit [1], and another showed amino acid-calcium chelate solution prolonged melon shelf life [2]. Investing in an organic Biomin solution results in more robust, better quality and longer-lasting produce, leading to higher returns for growers in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Email Molly here to book a free nutrition consult.
[1] EFFICACY OF BIOMIN™ CALCIUM ON KIWIFRUIT FRUIT ANALYSIS AND STORAGE LIFE COMPARED TO “STANDARD PRACTISES” https://www.rd2.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Seeka-Ca-trial-250604.pdf
[2] MELONS Are on a Roll https://rd2.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/melon-radioosytope-article.pdf
