3.0 Methodology
3.1 Approach
The project was managed in six discrete parts. These parts will form the basic structure of this report. They include:
| Phase One | Review of Quality Management Concepts |
| Phase Two | Customer and Consumer Preference for Environmental and Product Quality |
| Phase Three | Workshop on Existing On-farm QA/EMS Programmes |
| Phase Four | Case Study Analysis of Selected On-farm QA/EM Systems |
| Phase Five | Contribution of QA/EM Systems to Sustainable Agriculture Outcomes and Policy Implications |
| Phase Six | Synthesis, Conclusions and Follow-up recommended. |
An outline of each part is as follows.
Part One - Review of Quality Management Concepts
This part provides an overview of quality and environmental management principles, discussed in the context of current and emerging trends in food safety and environmental protection. A summary of current quality and environmental management systems in New Zealand and internationally is appended. Both regulatory and industry standards are discussed.
Part Two - Customer and Consumer Preference for Environmental and Product Quality
This part includes a literature review of market demand for food and fibre products from farms with QA/EMS systems. The current and potential future market demand for such products, along with who and what is driving the demand is discussed.
Part Three - Workshop on Existing On-farm QA/EMS Programmes in New Zealand
A workshop involving those operating specific QA/EM systems, along with the MAF and MfE formed Phase three of the project. The objectives of the workshop were to share experiences to date in the development and implementation of on-farm QA/EM systems, and to seek participants' views on the points sought in the project specifications. Key points discussed at the workshop are presented as Part III of this report. A summary of workshop outputs is appended. A key outcome from this project has been the network established, and information shared, between participants at the workshop. The value of that cannot be written up as part of this report.
Part Four - Case Study Analysis of Selected On-farm QA/EM
Following the workshop in Phase III, a representative group of projects was selected for more detailed case study analysis. Cases were examined to identify:
- the components and responsibilities associated with each of the schemes;
- how the schemes motivate responsibility and encourage people to adopt the principles underlying quality systems;
- the attitudes and principles that need to underlie these schemes to make them successful;
- how the schemes encourage innovation (doing new things), and adaptation (doing things better); and
- an economic analysis of QA performance, including non-financial effects and an evaluation of the spill-over benefits/costs where possible.
The analysis of case studies is presented in this report.
Part Five - Contribution of QA/EM Systems to Sustainable Agriculture Outcomes and Policy Implications
From analysis of the case studies, and from literature, those characteristics of QA/EM systems that will be associated with the achievement of sustainable agricultural and land management outcomes are identified in Part V of this report. The implications for national and local levels of government are also discussed.
Part Six - Conclusions and Follow-up
In Part Six, the component parts of the project are synthesised toward conclusions for this report. The conclusions will identify areas where further research is recommended.
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