Horticultural production continues to be one the most intensive systems to meet the increasing demand and competitive world market despite the environmental challenges faced. The rise in demand is closely linked to the awareness among consumers and dietary preferences for fruit and vegetables. The impact of input intensive horticultural production elevates concerns for product and environmental safety not only for food but also non-food products. Organic horticulture is accepted as a solution to both well-being of the populations and the environment. Organic management systems aim to develop site-specific solutions in horticulture. The issues that need to be addressed may have ecological, agro-technical or socio-economic elements. The multi-disciplinary approach required to develop sustainable organic systems has to be adopted in research work as well. These specificities of research necessitate closer cooperation and exchange of experiences and findings in organic horticulture. The Symposium on Organic Horticulture that will be held during the IHC 2018 will be the world-wide platform to discuss common challenges and seek solutions. The organic farm management in horticulture relies on well-adapted species/varieties, and inputs and methods tested and proved to be safe through research. To overcome annual variations occurring in production factors or to get the response of tools as the rotations, green manuring or composting, organic research may seek results of long-term trials before implementing. The Symposium aims to allocate a session for the exchange of such long-term trials.
Organic systems bring solutions to not only the production chain but provide public services mainly for agro-ecosystems, rural landscapes and rural and urban populations. The advantages are reported at farm, regional or global levels. In organic production, synthetic and off-farm inputs are either banned or severely limited due to safety concerns. Thus, breeding to develop varieties/rootstocks for organic management receives a special attention. Additionally, orchard/garden management systems, and soil fertility, weed, pest and disease management methods must be developed for specific conditions/crops and be revisited based upon the valid scientific knowledge and legislation. The standards govern the global trade of organic products and possess a more technical point of view; however, organic consumers have great concerns for the social and ecosystem services provided by organic production systems. The issues as the impact of production, transportation and/or trade on greenhouse gas emissions or on biodiversity, value chain management systems, social role including gender of organic in developing countries and health benefits of organic products compared to conventional are currently under discussion. The Symposium will bring scientists, practitioners, traders and extension specialists in all related fields together to discuss their findings and exchange experiences in organic horticulture for the well-being of the environment and population.
