Norfolk armers explain how growing organic produce differs from conventional farming methods.

Organic farming has finally earned its place alongside more conventional farming methods at the 1987 Royal Norfolk Show. Although organic produce is 10-30% more expensive than non-organic greens, supermarkets are making space to include organic alternatives.

The Howard family of Mangreen Farm in Swardeston, Norfolk have been farmers for the last 40 years. Two years ago, after the introduction of milk quotas, Edward Howard decided to drop out of dairy farming and try his hand at organic growing. Speaking from experience, Howard confirms that organic farming is not an easy option. The work is labour intensive. As farm manager Graham Hughes explains, all weed control must be done with tractors and hand hoeing, as no chemical herbicides can be used. In the greenhouses, pests are kept at bay with the introduction of predators for problems such as red spider mites. Planting is carefully planned to miss the peak period of insect activity. The careful growing methods have paid off. Over the last year the farm's output has grown from eight to 20 tonnes of vegetables per week.

The reporter was Lindsay Brooke for this video, made to be shown in a news story on Anglia Television's early evening news / magazine programme About Anglia.