Agricultural environmental indicators: using OECD agri-environmental indicators to assess New Zealand kiwifruit orchards

Abstract

Agri-environmental indicators (AEIs) developed by the OECD have been used to assess the environmental performance of the agricultural sector in developed countries. The Agricultural Research Group on Sustainability (ARGOS) in New Zealand has investigated using these AEIs to assess the performance of individual kiwifruit orchards. ARGOS is following panels of orchards to investigate the impacts of organic and conventional management systems on economic, sociological, and environmental dimensions of farming. The environmental monitoring of these orchards has provided data for calculating AEIs. The paper discusses the performance of ARGOS orchards, the impact of management systems, and the implications for future research.