Tomato Grower Survey Tells Story Of Concern
October 27, 2010 Between last year’s freeze, poor market, labor issues, and over-the-top regulations, tomato growers in Florida are considerably concerned about the future of the crop. To gauge grower attitudes, UF/IFAS distributed a survey to round tomato growers in key growing regions of the state.
The resulting replies covered a planted area of 21,803 acres, which is approximately half of the state’s tomato crop. Respondents were broken down by size – those 500 acres or larger or those less than 500 acres.
Tony DiMare of DiMare Fresh participated in the survey and had several points he wanted to get across. “Overall, there needs to be more and better communication among all of industry about the concerns we are facing today as growers,” he says. “I believe we are more challenged today than ever before, with the loss of methyl bromide and trying to find satisfactory alternatives. There are new viruses and new strains of disease being introduced into this state from imports on an annual basis, which needs to be addressed, either through crop protection tools, or new varieties that are resistant to the pests.”
The Future
| 500 Plus | 500 Less | |
| Excellent or Good | 0% | 28.6% |
| Regular | 28.6% | 42.9% |
| Bad or Terrible | 71.4% | 28.6% |
| 500 Plus | 500 Less | |
| Not or Slightly Affected | 14.3% | 0% |
| Somewhat Affected | 28.6% | 42.9% |
| Highly or Extremely Affected | 57.1% | 57.2% |
How do you think current food safety regulations will affect your operation?
| 500 Plus | 500 Less | |
| Not or Slightly Affected | 14.3% | 28.6% |
| Somewhat Affected | 42.9% | 14.3% |
| Highly or Extremely Affected | 42.9% | 57.2% |
What Growers Want
| 500 Plus | 500 Less | |
| Not or Slightly Needed | 14.3% | 0% |
| Somewhat Needed | 14.3% | 14.3% |
| Highly or Extremely Needed | 71.4% | 85.8% |
How do you rank the next five years in the need for research on alternative production systems?
| 500 Plus | 500 Less | |
| Not or Slightly Needed | 14.3% | 28.6% |
| Somewhat Needed | 42.9% | 0% |
| Highly or Extremely Needed | 42.9% | 71.5% |
How do you rank the next five years in the need for new labor rules and laws to facilitate production and packing?
| 500 Plus | 500 Less | |
| Not or Slightly Needed | 28.6% | 14.3% |
| Somewhat Needed | 0% | 14.3% |
| Highly or Extremely Needed | 71.4% | 71.5% |
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