Organic Carrot Production
Introduction
Commercial organic carrots are relatively difficult to grow compared to many other vegetables. Carrots require specialised machinery for sowing, weeding and harvesting, and usually need some hand weeding to avoid yield losses due to competition from weeds. All these elements add to their cost of production. They do, however, reward growers who overcome the difficulties and produce good, high quality crops. However, in terms of commercializing and marketing the organic products such as carrots, there is a need for an analysis to determine its competitiveness.
SWOT Analysis
The paper will use the SWOT Analysis to determine the strategy development of the production.
Strengths
The primary strength of the production is to support the organic sector particularly in agricultural level of the country and in the long run assist the economy. The organic carrot production can help the society in terms of income earning because it has a tradition of volunteerism, self-help and self-determination. Furthermore, the production promotes the philosophy and practices address consumers' interests in health and wellness, the environment and animal welfare. The producers of organic crops, processors and handlers belong to flexible organizations that meet their members' needs and facilitate communication within the community. The support of the government can emphasize the promotion for supply of goods that can be a great factor in the carrot production industry which adds to its size and expansion in production in the long run. New organic carrot producers continue to emerge and continue to meet ever-evolving consumer needs and together use marketing systems directly to consumers. The organic sector has multiple marketing channels that include the boxed delivery of produce, farmers' markets, packing plants, product brokers and distributors, among others.
Weaknesses
There are identified deficiencies in infrastructure of the organic carrot production that could impede the achievement of the future goals. The ignorance or resistance of the society might affect the marketing of the organic carrots in the market and to the consumers because it is often not consistent with the principles of organic production. The agricultural sector lacks an adequate production knowledge base, or the knowledge base for organic processing is limited - even more so than the knowledge base for organic production. The other factor that might contribute to the weakness is the organic agricultural issues tend not to be addressed by the larger agricultural research institutions. Another is the lack of research and attention that happens in local government. Another is the challenge for the continuous production, which might not be satisfied if there are changes in the weather or soil degradation which proves that there is a lack of research and extension support for organic farmers, especially during the transition phase from conventional to organic systems. The issue of production capacity, product quality, and consistency presents the future demand for organic carrots that can greatly affect the ability of producers to supply products.
Opportunities
Opportunities identify areas that the organic products like carrots can perform according to the consumer focus. The Organic production can attract the consumers and create more on the procurement of locally grown food and associates local with organic products. The organic carrot production is socially responsible in that it supports fair labor practices which can aid both the large producers and small farmers. In addition, there is an emerging pattern of social consciousness among consumers which makes the introduction of organic carrots in the market is promising. This advantage is gained due to the raised public awareness of organic agriculture and increased support and the consumers’ fear on pesticides, and stories in the popular press continue to remind the public that pesticides can have an adverse effect on health. Because of this, the production of organic carrots is within the line of pest management that could benefit organic producers. On the other hand, the challenge on the group of producers can be answered through the programs that will teach the appropriate organic production and promote in adding strengths to the organic producer service industry.
Threats
There are issues or threats involved in the organic carrot production. One of which is the perception that organic farming methods will not provide enough food to feed the world. Another is the perception that organic food is not as safe as conventionally produced food. And lastly, the misinformation generated by those ignorant of the organic sector and what it represents. All of the three issues can attract the incompetency of the organic carrot production.
Sources:
Mildura, D.M., (2007) Organic Farming: Carrot Production, Agriculture Notes [Online] Available at: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/nreninf.nsf/v/53572311634B6EE5CA25740F00145731/%24file/Organic_Farming_Carrot_Production.pdf [Accessed 12 October 2010]
New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets (2009) Production Guide for Organic Carrots for Processing [Online] Available at: http://nysipm.cornell.edu/organic_guide/carrot.pdf [Accessed 12 October 2010].
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