Organic farming and mining go head-to-head

Organic farming will be the second-biggest growth industry in Australia this year, says research group IBISWorld.

In what is great news for organic farmers, the sector is predicted to grow by 12.5 per cent, driven by higher incomes, increasing levels of environmental awareness and health consciousness, and more organic food in supermarkets.

However, in what is potentially very bad news for organic farmers, the number one growth industry will be oil and gas production, with a predicted growth rate of 15.9 per cent.

With protest groups such as Lock the Gate determined to tackle coal seam gas, and mining companies committed to expansion, the battle over land use in Australia looks like stepping up a gear in the year ahead.

Source: IBISWorld