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Commercial Vegetable Production

Plan Goal

The goal of this program is to strengthen commercial vegetable production in New Mexico by educating clientele in best practices for increasing production and processing efficiency.

Situation Statement

The vegetable industry in New Mexico is being squeezed between higher production costs (labor, chemicals, fuel, etc.), drought, and an increasing demand for urban development. Acreage for chile peppers, one of the key vegetable crops in the state, has dropped from approximately 34,000 acres in 1994 to 16,300 acres in 2004. The continuing erosion of vegetable acreage in the state is a serious threat to commercial vegetable processing. Processors that cannot obtain adequate raw product at a competitive cost will be forced to relocate out of state or shut down operations. Chile production, along with all peripheral support industries, is estimated to bring about $400 million annually to the economy of the state. This revenue, as well as countless jobs, will be lost or seriously reduced, if commercial chile processing is lost. The onion industry in the state faces similar challenges. This program strives to maintain a vital commercial vegetable industry by educating and encouraging the adoption of improved procedures and technology so that we can compete in the world market.

Target Audience and Actions

The primary clientele for this program will be vegetable growers, industry representatives, and county extension agents. Information will be disseminated through direct contacts, written materials, conferences, field days, workshops, and the popular press.

Short-Term Objectives

Participants in the various vegetable conferences, workshops and field days will increase their knowledge in the topics covered related to production efficiency and sustainability of vegetable crops. Attendees to the sustainable agriculture workshop will acquire a 30 % increase in knowledge regarding cutting edge irrigation techniques as a result of the program presented.

Medium-Term Objectives

Medium-term progress will be measured through the percentage of vegetable fields irrigated through sub-surface drip irrigation, the percentage of the commercial vegetable crop mechanically harvested, and the degree of knowledge gained regarding sustainable agriculture techniques. The percentage of active commercial growers utilizing mechanization in the production of their vegetable crop will increase by 25% over the three year period beginning in 2006.

Long-Term Objectives

New Mexican vegetable growers and industry representatives will feel an increased partnership with, and trust in the ability of the university to deliver assistance. New Mexico State University will be viewed as a leader in cutting edge techniques and technology for improving the efficiency of vegetable production in the state. From 2006 to 2011, there will be a 50% increase in support for NMSU's vegetable production programs, as determined by an industry-wide survey.

Evaluation Plan

The short term measurable objective will be assessed through the use of pre- and post- workshop surveys that will be administered at the start and conclusion of the sustainable agriculture workshop.

Progress for medium and long-term objectives will be evaluated through the use of yearly surveys. These surveys will be given to a random sample of vegetable growers and industry representatives throughout New Mexico’s vegetable production areas.