Avocado is one of the crops that can be easily grown organically. Since avocado is less susceptible to pest attacks, it is possible to grow it in a sustainable way. Thus, organic avocado farming consists avoiding chemical fertilizers and phytosanitary products without lowering the quality.
Organic Avocado Farming Practices in South Africa
Organic avocado growers in South Africa depend on cultural practices that limit the need for external and off-farm inputs. They have to grow avocados in plenty using methods that minimize impact on the environment. Here are some of these practices.
Soil Management
Healthy soil is crucial for organic avocado production. This kind of soil is teeming with microorganisms and small creatures resulting in high organic matter. Clearly, the more organic matter, the healthier the soil is.
An avocado farm will bear abundant fruit only on healthy soil. Farmers who cultivate avocados organically in South Africa know the usefulness of soil organisms. They know that no matter the size, these organisms are useful in ways such as:
- Earthworms, mites, bacteria, fungi release mineral nutrients through decomposition, create loose soil structure and mix soil for aeration.
- Some fungi grow in and around plant roots, mining subsoil for nutrients and water.
- Other microorganisms prevent diseases and help trees withstand insect attacks.
Compost
Organic avocado farmers in South Africa rely on inputs like compost. Materials around the farm such as food waste, manure, leaves, straw, grass clippings, sawdust make up compost. Even though these materials are seen as waste, when mixed and allowed to decompose above the ground, create valuable compost. Composting is good for avocado trees because:
- It improves soil structure
- It provides a diversity of microorganisms and nutrients
- It increases pest tolerance
- It leads to elevated yields
Cover Crops
Since avocado orchards in South Africa draw nutrients out of the soil, those nutrients have to be replenished so as to maintain a bountiful yield. As a result, those who farm organic avocados in South Africa plant cover crops like legumes around the trees to improve soil fertility. Cover cropping also helps with weed control.
Mulching
Considering that avocado trees have a number of surface roots, mulching is beneficial. It is for this reason that those who do organic avocado cultivation in South Africa apply mulch made up wood chips, straw, hay and clean farm waste. This mulch helps conserve water, increases soil microorganisms and decreases chances of root disease.
Weed Management
Growers of organic avocado in South Africa do their best to keep their orchards free of weeds by:
- Mulching
- Mechanical methods like pulling
- Cover cropping creates competition with weeds for nutrients
- Composting destroys seeds of weeds
Pest and Disease Management
Farmers who do organic avocado production in South Africa employ alternative strategies to reduce and control pests without the use of synthetic pesticides. This involves utilizing various tools instead of one in an approach known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Organic pest management in South Africa includes:
- Using naturally-derived substances like neem oil, natural pyrethrum, vinegar, oil-based herbicides as a last resort
- Using biological substances like Trichoderma harzianum against root rot, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) against pests and approved amount of copper spray against certain diseases
- Biological controls such as wild flowers, insects like ladybugs, predatory mites, wasps, hover flies
- Mechanical controls like trapping
Irrigation
Organic avocado farmers in South Africa use drip irrigation especially during dry seasons to minimize weed growth. They also maintain a mulch layer around trees so as to prevent big fluctuations in soil moisture. They take extra care to ensure irrigation is neither over nor under done.
Other organic avocado management practices in South Africa are:
- Using disease tolerant rootstocks like Dusa and varieties like Hass
- Plating trees on ridges or mounds
- Maintaining drainage channels in the orchard
- Applying rock dust for soil calcium
- Applying compost tea
- Applying liquid fertilizers like sea weed extract
- Applying minerals like dolomite, lime, gypsum, potassium sulphate in powder form
- No plant growth regulators (PGRs) are allowed
Benefits of Organic Avocado Farming in South Africa
Here are some of the benefits of growing organic avocados in South Africa:
- It eliminates the threat of toxic chemicals on fruit
- It conserves and builds soil health
- It preserves and increases biodiversity which supports a healthy ecosystem
- It reduces greenhouse gas emissions
- It reduces water and air pollution
- Farmers can earn a higher profit because healthier trees bear better yields
How to Become a Certified Avocado Farmer in South Africa
There are two kinds of organic avocado orchards in South Africa. While certified organic farms produce avocados for domestic and export markets, informal organic farms produce avocados for subsistence and local markets. Here are the steps to get organic certification in South Africa:
- Adopt organic practices, select an accredited certifying agent and submit an application and fee to the agent.
- Certifying agent reviews the application and verifies compliance with South African Organic Sector Organisation (SAOSO) Standard
- Inspector conducts an on-site inspection.
- Certifying agent reviews application and inspector’s report.
- Organic certificate issued by certifying agent
Once a producer is certified organic, they can either use the SAOSO logo or the certifying body’s logo for labelling of packaged avocados.
EU Organic Standards for Avocado
Here are a number of rules set by the EU that organic avocados grown in South Africa have to meet:
- Their production has to follow the general principles of organic production
- Their production should exclude use of GMOs
- Avocados produced organically should be kept separate from non-organic ones
- Adequate record keeping during production especially use of permissible chemical substances in limited cases.
Importing Organic Products into the EU
All organic products including avocado imported into the European Union (EU) must have a certificate of inspection. This certificate is issued by a control body or authority approved by the EU. This control body ensures organic avocado producers follow production rules equivalent to EU organic farming.
Where to Sell Organic South African Avocados
Avocados which are sold to South Africans as organic are certified by local certification companies. Whereas international certification bodies certify South African avocados that are organic to be sold abroad. In both the domestic and export markets, organic South African avocados can be found in supermarkets and shops specializing in organic products in cities and high-end neighborhoods.
Here is a top organic avocado exporter
Freshela Exporters
Our efforts to supply the market with organic avocados have led us to align ourselves with farmers that share the same values. With their support and our continued organic planting, we are committed to carrying the highest quality organic avocados available for the market.
No matter how big or small your organic avocado needs are, we know we can help increase your demand for organic avocados. Our packing house is certified to ensure that we accept, pack and sell avocados with an organic label. Contact us to request a copy of our Organic Production Certificate.