Sustainable Agriculture: The Distribution of Biodynamics and Organics in Australia

Summary

Australia is a global leader in sustainable agriculture. Australia accounts for 20% of the world’s certified biodynamic agriculture hectares (viz. 49,797 hectares; 55 countries account for a global total of 251,842 certified biodynamic hectares). Australia accounts for 50% of the world’s certified organic agriculture hectares (viz. 35,645,037 hectares; 186 countries account for a global total of 71,514,583 certified organic hectares). This paper presents a map of the geographic distribution of biodynamic agriculture in Australia, which is the first accounting and analysis of biodynamics data in Australia. The biodynamic distribution across the states and territories of Australia is compared to the distribution of organic agriculture. Biodynamic agriculture is the ‘original’ organic agriculture and sustainable agriculture, and it dates from 1924. Organic agriculture has grown out of the biodynamics movement and the term ‘organic farming’ dates from 1940. World maps of the global distribution of organics and biodynamics reveal Australia’s leadership in sustainable agriculture.