International Consulting Opportunities in Organic Horticulture.

Opportunities in overseas organic horticultural consulting are a continuing need that requires special skills. Organic agricultural sales increased to a $15 billion in the U.S. in 2005 and continue to expand 20% annually. Current estimates place the value of organic agriculture at $25 billion worldwide. Increasing interest in organic agriculture from less developed countries (LDC) and newly industrialized countries (NIC) has propelled many horticultural scientists to offer their services in voluntary and paid consultancies related to organic horticultural operations. India, for example, has over 2.5 million hectares under organic management and has employed several U.S. consultants to ensure their organic products entry into U.S. markets. Among the most important production issues confronting small-scale LDC and NIC organic producers are managing soil fertility under organic conditions, proper cultivar selection, and pest management. Because all organic food imported into the U.S. must meet the standards of the USDA National Organic Program, several key factors must be known when embarking on a consultancy in a LDC or NIC, including the ability of the exporting country to meet these standards. Examples presented from the former Soviet country of Georgia, Mexico, Africa and other international sites will include the need to conduct an inventory of the country's resources that relate to its organic potential, such as access to technical and market information as well as cultural understanding and outreach programming Knowledge of the laws and market factors that may impact organic production and sales is key. Benefits attached to conversion to organic production include the potential for achieving higher earnings and a better standard of living; reduction in health risks posed by costly chemical pesticides and fertilizers; and improved soil management. Additionally, overseas organic experiences provide opportunities for American professors and students to learn and apply new sustainable methods on a global basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]