B. Métodos no convencionales-Método Multidimensional
2.1.2. Conceptos generales
The latest statistics for U.S. organic production cover only through 2002, and even these are very rough figures based on data collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) through its 2002 Census of Agriculture. Findings from this census were released during 2004.
According to the census, there were 11’998 certified organic farms in 2002, representing approximately 0.6 percent of all farms in the United States. The value of organic commodities produced on these farms totaled US $ 392’813’000, with average per farm revenue of US $ 32,740. Land used to grow certified organically produced crops totaled 562,486 acres (227,727 hectares) on 7,254 farms, of which 6,126 are run by individuals or families, the census reported. However, questions on organic production in the census excluded pasture and rangeland, and thus these figures are quite low. In addition, there may have been some confusion among producers on what organic operations they should report acreage. Census results do include a statement explaining that its count of farms producing certified organic crops may differ from other sources because the information was self-reported by respondents, and no attempt was made to verify reports with certifying agencies.
USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS), meanwhile, continues to glean production and acreage data from certification agencies, and plans to publish a report in first quarter 2005 concerning the information it has pieced together, according to Catherine Greene, ERS economist.
ERS data for 2001 showed 1 million acres (0.4 million hectares) for organic pasture and rangeland and an additional 1.3 million acres (0.53 million hectares) in organic crops. Most segments of the U.S. organic farm sector have expanded rapidly since then, according to Greene. Preliminary USDA estimates based on certifier data indicate that certified organic cropland increased substantially between 2001 and 2003, with strong gains for fruits and vegetables and other specialty crops.
In California, the nation’s top fruit and vegetable state, certified acreage was up for both market-garden operations, which sell mostly direct to the consumer, as well as for large-scale operations that tap wholesale and retail markets. The Pacific Northwest and other regions also showed substantial increases in certified fruit and vegetable acreage. Grain crop acreage increased as well during this period, and most U.S. states posted an increase in certified acreage for organic crops.
Certified organic pasture and rangeland declined substantially between 2001 and 2003, but the losses were mostly for rangeland in the western region. Many states and regions showed substantial increases in livestock production during this period, particularly for dairy and poultry operations. The number of certified organic operations was also up between 2001 and 2003 as new organic farmers entered the market and existing organic farmers enlarged their operations. The number of certified organic operations expanded in the Midwest, Northeast, and other regions. State and private groups are continuing their efforts and collaborations to develop the resources needed to support more widespread adoption of organic agriculture in the United States, Greene said.
During 2005, ERS plans a nation-wide survey of organic manufacturers, processors and distributors to determine information about certified organic handlers in 2004. Among the numerous questions will be queries about the impact of implementation of national organic standards on their operations and also a breakdown by percent of products falling in the different categories (100 percent organic, organic, made with organic ingredients) and whether they use the USDA Organic seal. Coordinating the survey will be the Social & Economic Sciences Research Center at Washington State University, Pullman, Washington.
In addition, Congress has allocated funds for a future survey on organic dairy operations. This NASS survey will be designed to determine cost of production, structural characteristics and financial indicators of farm success, thus allowing side-by-side comparisons of organic and conventional dairy operations, Greene said.
Meanwhile, final results released in July 2004 from the Fourth National
Organic Farmers’ Survey conducted by the Organic Farming Research
Foundation in 2002 show most organic farmers taking part in the survey reported their operations are family-based.
Ninety-four percent of respondents run single-family operations, family farm partnerships or family farm corporations. More than half (54 percent) farm fewer than 50 certified organic acres (20.24 hectares), with another 25 percent reporting farming between 50 and 179 certified organic acres (between 20.24 and 72.42 hectares), and 21 percent reporting farming 180 or more certified organic acres (ca. 73 hectares).
Survey returns accounted for 184,898 certified organic acres (74,857 hectares), representing approximately eight percent of total certified acres for the year 2001 based on a comparison with U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service data collected for 2000 to 2001.
Some selected highlights from the report:
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79 percent of vegetables produced were sold within 100 miles of the farm.•
Organic livestock products tended to be sold furthest from the farm, with 47 percent sold more than 500 miles away.•
26 percent of respondents said their prices went up in 2001, 15 percent said they went down, and 52 percent said their prices held steady.Asked why they chose to farm organically, farmers identified the following as their most important reasons: