Natural farming proponents ready to mark National Organic Week
National Organic Week, an initiative funded by the Department of Agriculture and Food and implemented by Bord Bia, involves a wide range of promotional and other activities.
Over 40% of Irish consumers buy organic food and spend an estimated €40 million annually on it a 10% yearly growth rate.
These consumers tend to be female and living in urban areas and in the higher income bracket. Their average spend on organic food per month is 48.
There are over 1,000 approved organic producers in Ireland, where the sector is regulated by the Department of Agriculture and Food.
Minister Mary Coughlan, who urged consumers to try organic food, called for a greater emphasis on the positives associated with the produce fresh, seasonal, local and environmentally friendly.
Noting that imports made up a sizeable part of the organic produce sold in Ireland, she said opportunities were open to farmers after decoupling.
"I hope that Organic Week will persuade some conventional producers to look at the opportunities for import substitution," she said.
Teagasc, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Food, is holding open days on two organic farms to coincide with Organic Week.
The first open day will be on Ben and Charolette Colchester's farm at Urlingford, Co Kilkenny, on Saturday.
Jimmy and Bernardine Mulhall's farm at Coolanowle, Ballickmoyler, Co Laois will be the venue for the second open day on Sunday. Both events are due to start at 2pm.
Teagasc organic specialist Ger Shortle said that these occasions provide the ideal opportunity for people to come and see where organic food is produced and to meet the farmers who produce it.
On both farms, produce is sold directly to the customer and a direct relationship has built up between the producer and the consumer. "This offers a new model for buying and selling food to Irish farmers and consumers," he said.
