Sustainable vegetables from Eferding: challenges and opportunities for organic farmers

Sustainable vegetables from Eferding: challenges and opportunities for organic farmers

climate change has a variety of effects on vegetable cultivation that have both opportunities and challenges. Franz Waldenberger, President of the Chamber of Agriculture Upper Austria, emphasizes that the lower frost risks now have domestic vegetables available over longer periods than in the past. This is particularly important in autumn if some vegetable floors use the opportunity to grow new, ripening varieties that can harvest until December. These varieties include leek, sprout cabbage and salsify, which are increasingly gaining popularity.

Despite these positive aspects, there are considerable problems that burden vegetable cultivation. Extreme weather events such as heavy rain and drought, combined with rising energy costs, are a major challenge for farmers. The area for vegetables in Upper Austria has decreased since 2022, which is mainly due to the increasing costs and increasing imports. Waldenberger appeals to politics to take measures to support local farmers. This includes the demand for fair prices, better grants for biological products and a reduction in the import competition.

leading role of the Achleitner organic farm

When it comes to biological cultivation, the Achleitner organic farm plays an important role in Eferding. With an operating area of around 100 hectares and 4,600 square meters of greenhouses, the farm has fully cultivated over 40 different types of fruit and vegetables since 1990. The organic farm offers a wide range of products from classic varieties such as salad and carrots to exotic potatoes and Indian banans. The company becomes particularly active during the winter months when winter vegetables such as spinach and Asian salads are grown in the greenhouses.

Since this year, Andreas, the son of Günter Achleitner, has taken over the management of the courtyard and does not rest on the laurels of the past. The team consists of up to 35 seasonal workers who support and maintain the plants.

sustainable growing methods through humus build -up

The Achleitner organic farm pursues a sustainable approach through humus structure and composting, which are essential for the health of the soils. According to Günter Achleitner, compost is "the basis for the nutrient supply of our cultures and the basis for a permanently healthy soil". The farm produces around 1,000 cubic meters of compost annually, which not only contributes to improving the soil quality, but is also used as a compost tea to strengthen the plants. This shows how an environmentally conscious agriculture can not only promote its own company, but also the general ground health.

These developments in vegetable cultivation are of great importance for the region, which finds new ways through the strategies of farmers and adaptation to climate change in order to continue to offer high -quality biological products. While climate change brings challenges, the organic farm Achleitner shows how innovative approaches and sustainable practices can help to successfully manage them.