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.
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