Low returns but accreditation helps secure market access

摘要

Kondinin Group's 2003 National Agricultural Survey found 82 per cent of farmers surveyed who had been involved in quality assurance (QA) programmes received no increase in net farm income. This article examines the purpose, benefits and costs of someof the more popular QA programmes across Australia. Maintaining or gaining market access rather than increased returns appears to be driving popularity of the increasing number of quality assurance (QA) schemes available in Australia. Many Australian farm businesses are moving to QA accreditation despite the lack of financial reward for their efforts in most cases. Kondinin Group's 2003 National Agricultural Survey showed 82 per cent of fanners surveyed who had been involved in a QA scheme reported no increase in net farm income.