Organics college aims for global flavour

By STACEY BODGER

A Japanese food flavouring manufacturer has bought a $500,000 Oamaru property to open an international college for the study of organic agriculture.

Nikken Foods plans to attract post-graduate students from New Zealand, the United States, Japan and Europe by offering courses in organics and health sciences.

The firm believes New Zealand is placed to be a world leader in organic produce and sees a great demand for qualifications in such agriculture.

The number of certified organic growers in New Zealand has doubled in two years to 700.

But the country is still a small player in the $40 billion global market, exporting about $50 million of organic produce a year.

The world market is tipped to be worth $210 billion a year by 2004.

Nikken Foods, which sells natural food flavourings to other manufacturers, has bought the historic Teschemakers property, just south of Oamaru.

Originally a homestead, Teschemakers was run as a Catholic school until the 1970s.

The college will be a private institution and is due to open in 2002.

Qualifications are likely to be centred around the growing, processing and marketing of organic foods. They will be accredited by the Qualifications Authority.

Accommodation blocks are planned for the 8ha property.

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