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BIONÆR-Bionæringsprogram

Pre- and postharvest quality optimisation of organic vegetables that can stimulate an increased consumption

Awarded: NOK 5.4 mill.

Project Number:

176767

Project Period:

2007 - 2013

Funding received from:

Location:

Partner countries:

Norwegian consumers purchase less organic foods than consumers in most other European countries and important obstacles for consumption of organic vegetables are said to be quality, availability and price. The main objective of this project is to achieve better knowledge on how certain pre- and post harvest factors influence quality of organic vegetables in the market place. The project is expected to identify which factors that have the most important influence on sensory characteristics and health promo ting compounds like vitamin-C and glucosinolates, and to find recommendations for pre- and post harvest handling of organic vegetables to obtain a consumer acceptable shelf quality. The project will investigate the impact of product quality and keepabil ity for consumer acceptance of organic vegetables. It will be investigated how animal manure fertilisation and soil cover influence nutrient mineralization dynamics under a cool northern climate and hence plant growth and the resulting flavour and content of health affecting compounds in organic vegetables. Critical control points related to maintaining product quality in the whole production and distribution chain will also be studied and recommendations given. The project was initiated by the North No rwegian Agricultural Council in the intention to create a more sustainable agriculture and vital agricultural communities. The project was given priority after a wide process which included discussion groups with representatives from agricultural industry , governmental bodies and researchers. The project is expected to identify certain bottlenecks in Norwegian organic vegetable production and distribution and hence build a platform for increased production and consumption of organic vegetables in Norway .

Funding scheme:

BIONÆR-Bionæringsprogram