Research Institute for Organic Agriculture
Encyclopedia
The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture or, in German, Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau (FiBL), is an independent, non-profit research institute with the aim of advancing cutting-edge science in the field of organic agriculture.
FiBL’s research team works together with farmers to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions to boost agricultural productivity while never losing sight of environmental and socio-economic impacts as well as considerations to human and animal health. Alongside practical research, FiBL gives high priority to transferring knowledge into agricultural practice through advisory work, training and conferences.
FiBL has offices in Switzerland
, Germany
and Austria
and employs over 150 people working on numerous projects and initiatives throughout Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Organic horticultural sciences – explorations are made into practical solutions to the key problems associated with growing these special crops which include fruit, berries, grapes, vegetables, herbs and ornamental plants.
Plant protection and biodiversity management – this division investigates and develops practical methods of controlling pests and diseases in fruit and vegetable growing, viticulture, and crop farming.
Holistic animal health – emphasis of this division’s research is on the causal agents of diseases, preventive measures, and complementary and alternative medicine for animals.
Animal husbandry and organic animal breeding – importance here is given to developing strategies for improving livestock husbandry on organic holdings.
Socio-economics – this division explores agricultural policy impact as well as business skills and sustainable management practices essential for farmers.
Food quality and processing analysis – this division is involved in projects focussing on aspects of product quality, food safety, food processing and risk assessment.
In addition, all-encompassing topics such as climate change and sustainability analyses form the basis for key research initiatives at FiBL.
and boost agricultural productivity. One such collaborative project underway is the African Organic Training Manual. The project's purpose is to provide best farming practice training materials to help farmers move towards a path of long-term and economically viable agriculture. The training materials illustrate and emphasize techniques and technologies that are good for the soil, the environment and for rural communities.
Three prominent international projects include long-term farming systems comparisons in the tropics comparing organic and conventional agriculture in Bolivia, Kenya and India and have been running since 2005. The goal is to provide solid data on the benefits and drawbacks of organic agriculture in the tropics. Since the concept of organic agriculture is based on a system-oriented approach and builds on the efficient use of locally available resources and adapted technologies, it could prove to be a promising option for sustainable agricultural intensification in the South.
FiBL’s research team works together with farmers to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions to boost agricultural productivity while never losing sight of environmental and socio-economic impacts as well as considerations to human and animal health. Alongside practical research, FiBL gives high priority to transferring knowledge into agricultural practice through advisory work, training and conferences.
FiBL has offices in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and employs over 150 people working on numerous projects and initiatives throughout Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa.
History
The institute was founded in Switzerland in 1973 by a group organic farmers together with scientists with the goal of supporting organic farmers through research projects and advisory services. In 2010, FiBL International—International Association of Organic Agriculture Research Institutes—was established to further advance international science and research in organic agriculture.Key Research Areas
Organic soil management – the soil science division investigates the efficiency of organic and conventional farming systems in terms of fertilizer and energy use.Organic horticultural sciences – explorations are made into practical solutions to the key problems associated with growing these special crops which include fruit, berries, grapes, vegetables, herbs and ornamental plants.
Plant protection and biodiversity management – this division investigates and develops practical methods of controlling pests and diseases in fruit and vegetable growing, viticulture, and crop farming.
Holistic animal health – emphasis of this division’s research is on the causal agents of diseases, preventive measures, and complementary and alternative medicine for animals.
Animal husbandry and organic animal breeding – importance here is given to developing strategies for improving livestock husbandry on organic holdings.
Socio-economics – this division explores agricultural policy impact as well as business skills and sustainable management practices essential for farmers.
Food quality and processing analysis – this division is involved in projects focussing on aspects of product quality, food safety, food processing and risk assessment.
In addition, all-encompassing topics such as climate change and sustainability analyses form the basis for key research initiatives at FiBL.
International Development of Organic Agriculture
FiBL has also long been committed to the worldwide development of organic agriculture with its various cooperation initiatives aiming to help small-holder farmers adapt to the challenges of climate changeClimate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
and boost agricultural productivity. One such collaborative project underway is the African Organic Training Manual. The project's purpose is to provide best farming practice training materials to help farmers move towards a path of long-term and economically viable agriculture. The training materials illustrate and emphasize techniques and technologies that are good for the soil, the environment and for rural communities.
Three prominent international projects include long-term farming systems comparisons in the tropics comparing organic and conventional agriculture in Bolivia, Kenya and India and have been running since 2005. The goal is to provide solid data on the benefits and drawbacks of organic agriculture in the tropics. Since the concept of organic agriculture is based on a system-oriented approach and builds on the efficient use of locally available resources and adapted technologies, it could prove to be a promising option for sustainable agricultural intensification in the South.