ISHS Acta Horticulturae 429: XIII International Symposium on Horticultural Economics
STRATEGIC QUALITY PLANNING IN THE HORTICULTURAL SECTOR |
| Authors: | J. Ogier, M. Dillon |
| Abstract:
Changes in the production and marketing systems designed to meet consumer demands have led to the need to assure quality and establish control measures for potential risks. The horticulture industry in Guernsey is at the forefront of developing quality assurance to meet customer needs, improve quality, integrate all aspects from production to sales, and develop a business structure to deliver an industry-wide quality system. In edibles, the quality system was developed around the needs of the grower-owned co-operative which exports most of the edible product. In cut flowers there is no one focus for production and marketing, so industry grower groups have been developed to manage the system which is delivered by a contracted government service. In plant production a large individual business is serving as a role model for quality development in the sector. The achievement of quality objectives is not instantaneous. It is a process of change rather than an end point. Nevertheless, the delivery of quality into an industry requires strategic planning and milestone monitoring. Ownership must be achieved by industry involvement at every stage. The research and development of the systems over 7 years have led to the development of unique applications and appropriate tools for quality delivery in the fresh produce sector. This has led Guernsey to become recognized as a quality producer, in an increasingly competitive international market place. | |
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