Agricultural Innovation in Ontario:
Research Results for Organic Agriculture

Alison Blay-Palmer, University of Waterloo

As part of this research, over 30 members from the organic community were interviewed. We talked about what influences they must cope with as they innovate. As innovation is one of the key drivers in any sector it is important to understand how we can improve the innovation environment. Interviews were held with producers, distributors, suppliers, and people from the University of Guelph, NGOs, and the government. My thanks to everyone who participated.

Here is some of what people had to say about innovation in the organic sector.

Farming in Canada…

• Farmers and food production are undervalued in Canada.
• Although Canadian consumers are learning about organics, we are behind Europe. Public education programs were suggested to improve consumer awareness and to reduce the mental and physical distance between consumers, their food and the producers.

Linking people together…

• We need better networks to connect the organic community together and to help with information sharing. The annual Guelph Organic Conference, COG and the EFAO were mentioned repeatedly as providing important networking opportunities for all members of the organic community.

Getting the product to market…

• Price pressures from imports on Canadian organic product limit the room in which innovators can move.
• Improved supply chains would help get product to market.

Supporting agriculture…

• There needs to be financial compensation to organic farmers as stewards of the land.
• A level playing field is needed between organic and conventional agriculture. Elements that contribute to the inequities are taxes, access to research and the cheap food policy that subsidizes conventional agriculture.
• We need funding for basic research, with less money tied to matched-funding.
• More research is needed to develop varieties and understand the variables that influence organic production.

Patents and GMOs…

• As patents limit access to varieties, they limit the producer's ability to grow a range of crops.
• GMOs pose a threat to the genetic integrity of some varieties. GMOs have reduced the range of crops that can be grown in some areas.

To regulate or not to regulate?

• Certification can improve market potential though increased confidence in product both locally and internationally.
• Some government regulations, especially for small operations, are needlessly onerous.

Where is the organic movement going?

• As demand still largely exceeds supply, there is co-operation within the community. Thought is needed for how the organic community wants to deal with future scenarios that may include a more competitive environment.
• There is dissent about the direction in which the movement should go. The debate about the role of corporate agriculture was raised during several interviews. Scenarios that were raised as options include:
  • Embracing large retailers as they provide stable distribution opportunities
  • Maintaining the local focus so that consumers are better linked to producers
  • Increasing export opportunities

For more information please click here to email Alison Palmer