Upon being certified by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries in the manner set forth in Section 2-8-124, such organization shall thereupon be fully authorized and empowered to hold and conduct on the part of the producers and growers of such particular agricultural commodity a referendum on the question of whether or not such growers and producers shall levy upon themselves an assessment under and subject to and for the purposes stated in this article. Such referendum may be conducted either on a statewide or area basis.