Organic Vegetables

Organic vegetables are among the agricultural products whose production and consumption are rapidly increasing globally, driven by growing populations, food safety concerns, and environmental sustainability goals. Beyond its economic value, organic vegetable production holds strategic importance due to its positive impact on human health, the mitigation of environmental risks, and the conservation of natural resources. The Working Group Organic Vegetables adopts a holistic approach to address a wide range of topics with the aim of improving product quality, productivity, and sustainability within organic production systems, and adding value to organic vegetables.

The scope of the Working Group encompasses: plant breeding for organic production and genetic resource assessment, conservation of local and traditional varieties, organic seed and seedling quality, plant nutrition and soil fertility management in organic agriculture, biological and cultural control methods, disease and pest resistance, efficient use of water and nutrients, sustainable production systems, climate change adaptation strategies, mechanization and equipment innovations, harvest and postharvest practices, nutritional value and sensory quality, organic food processing technologies, and market, certification, and consumer trend analyses.

The Working Group Organic Vegetables aims to establish scientific and technical collaborations and foster the exchange of knowledge and experience among researchers working on different organic vegetable types, particularly leafy, fruit, and root vegetables. To this end, the Working Group brings together academics, research institutions, producers, industry representatives, and postgraduate students on a common platform. The most significant of these platforms are the International Organic Vegetable Symposia, typically organized in three- to four-year cycles. These events offer excellent opportunities for researchers from various countries to present their work, learn about other studies, exchange ideas, establish collaborations, and visit organic farming production areas across the globe. These activities not only inspire researchers working on organic vegetable farming but are also highly valuable for young researchers, master’s, and doctoral students, providing them with a deeper understanding and experience in advancing vegetable cultivation under organic farming conditions.