Critical Issues Facing the Horticultural Industry
- Kevan Lamm
- Dec 5, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 13
Plants play a critical role in human well-being. Sure, they are pretty, but they also contribute to physical, mental, and environmental health. It’s important to recognize the profound impact of plants on our lives, especially given the serious issues facing the horticulture industry. Those issues were highlighted in a study that I completed with several colleagues. We hope the results of this study provide a roadmap for the future by pointing out the issues and opportunities that exist.
Key Findings:
Disease and Pest Management Challenges:
Significant threats are posed by emerging pests and pathogens.
Existing pest management strategies may be losing effectiveness.
Production Challenges and Innovations:
It is necessary for significant reforms in horticulture production practices to be executed.
Production in horticulture should be focused on sustainability, automation, and precision agriculture.
Issues around profitability, evolving consumer preferences, and unreliable supply chains need to be addressed.
Education, Research, and Recruitment Needs:
Formal horticulture education programs need to be improved.
Progress can be made through distance education programs and more robust recruitment efforts.
Labor Challenges and Considerations:
One of the biggest threats to the industry is a serious shortage of skilled, manual, and technical workers.
Labor challenges can be addressed through educational training and recruitment incentives.
Environmental Conditions and Natural Resource Availability:
Resource availability and overall production are being impacted by changing environmental conditions.
COVID-19 Impacts: It’s important to note that this study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. It outlines 14 issues that were linked to the pandemic, including supply chain disruptions, a boon in home gardening, and the shortage of available skilled labor.
Next Steps...
By identifying 34 unique issues through a Delphi process, this study offers an updated understanding of the modern challenges and opportunities facing horticulture. It can be used as a guide for resource allocation, education, and research. Please be sure to share your thoughts and comments below.
Lamm, K. W., Powell, A., & Lombardini, L. (2021). Identifying critical issues in the horticulture industry: A delphi analysis during the covid-19 pandemic. Horticulturae, 7(11), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7110416
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