HDRA has received funding from Defra to launch a sustainable organic vegetable systems network. This follows on from the conversion to organic field production project, which monitored a group of commercial farms from 1996-2002 as they converted to organic production.

The new project will continue to monitor agronomic and economic performance of organic vegetables within their rotations and the context of the whole farm system. In addition there will be an emphasis on new developments and innovations, which will be promoted and evaluated. The project will identify key factors that make the systems environmentally and economically sustainable. It will also disseminate best practice techniques to other growers.

'It is a great opportunity for organic vegetable growers to improve their production systems and to contribute to the development of the organic sector as a whole,' said Margi Lennartsson, head of HDRA's Research and Development Division. Within this project growers will, together with researchers, have improved opportunities and resources to evaluate new innovations and developments. In addition they will receive free advice from the Organic Advisory Service.'