September 14, 2006

USDA sets up US$4.5 million fund for organic producers

To better understand and tap into the growing organic market, the US is launching a US$4.5 million research grant to address organic agricultural issues and priorities, USDA Secretary, Mike Johanns said Wednesday (Sep 13).

Of that US$4.5 million, US$431,203 has been awarded to South Carolina's Clemson University for research into organic shrimp farming.

To succeed in organic agriculture, producers must be creative and willing to take risks, Johanns said.

The research would help organic producers to manage these risks by providing information that would boost production while minimising costs, Johanns said. 

USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) would administer eight grants to 13 states through the Integrated Organic Programme.

The grants would focus on improving the competitiveness of organic producers and assisting producers and processors of high quality organic products.

As organic agriculture is heavily dependant on local conditions, switching from conventional production to organic production would require much expertise. The grants aim to help them in this transition, USDA said.