Researcher measures organic orchard sustainability

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A Massey University researcher, Girija Page, says organic orchards can be documented as environmentally sustainable and that they may one day be able to trade carbon credits.

Dr Page graduated yesterday with a PhD in agricultural and horticultural systems after developing a framework to assess the sustainability of organic fruit growing.

Her research analysed energy efficiency and environmental impacts of organic kiwifruit and organic apple growing operations in the Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay.

"New Zealand has a reputation for producing export goods that are thought to have less impact on the environment," Dr Page said.

Her assessment was based on two criteria: efficient use of energy and non-degradation of the environment from energy and material use.

She identified indicators such as energy efficiency, carbon dioxide ratio, changes in the soil carbon level, nutrient balances and the leaching of nitrogen.

"The organic orchard systems were sustainable in terms of energy use and most of the environmental impacts they had on the soil, water and atmosphere," she aid.

"In fact, they were a carbon sink, so they could potentially trade carbon credits under the Kyoto Protocol."

Dr Page said more research was needed on a larger number of organic orchard systems to back up her findings.

- NZPA