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Research Projects

On-going Research

To have your project listed, please send details.

• The Impact of Organic Farming on the Rural Economy
  The 18 month collaborative project led by the University of Exeter explores the hypothesis that organic farming provides benefit to the rural economy over and above that of conventional agriculture. Amongst other things, the research explores the extent to which organic farming gives rise to greater economic and socio-economic linkages within rural economies and, as a result, contributes to rural development. It also examines claims that organic farming is associated with quantitative differences in employment patterns and social networks in rural communities. (NB. This is a PDF file - 296 kB.)
  
  
• The Stockless Arable Organic Project
  The project at ADAS Terrington is funded by Defra (projects OF0318 and OF0322) to assess the sustainability of arable organic production with particular focus on a stockless rotation on a fertile soil.
  
  
• Current Trends in Organic Tree Fruit Production
  This report provides statistical information on organic fruit production internationally, and nationally in the USA, but particularly in Washington State. It includes data up until 2001. Please note, the report is a PDF file (537 kB).
  
  
• UK Organic Vegetables Market 2001/02
  Initial results from an HDRA/Soil Association project, funded by DEFRA into the organic vegetable market in the 2001/02 season, are highlighted in this paper. It covers the growth in organic vegetable production and market conditions. It predicts lower growth rates in the future and intense competition from imports from Europe.
  
  
• DEFRA Organic Farming Research Programme Project Summaries April 1991 - May 2002
  This report presents project summaries and cost information for research commissioned by DEFRA, and previously by MAFF, as part of the UK Organic Farming research programme which was initiated in 1991. The research projects are presented in reverse chronological order.
  
  
• European Consortium for Organic Plant Breeding
  This initiative, founded in 2001 in Driebergen (NL), provides a platform for discussion and exchange of knowledge and experiences, the initiation and support of organic plant breeding programmes, the development of scientific concepts of an organic Plant Breeding, and the provision of independent, competent expertise to develop standards setting with respect to organic plant breeding.
  
  
• West Virginia University Organic Research Farming Project
  The project began in 1998 to provide scientifically sound research and education to support organic growers and gardeners. All aspects of organic crop production are included — horticulture, agronomy, soil science, animal science, soil biology, plant pathology, entomology, weed science, and agricultural economics.
  
  
• 2001 Organic Research Priorities in the UK
  At the request of DEFRA, Organic Centre Wales has carried out a survey for research priorities covering the whole of the UK. DEFRA and UKROFS will use the document in considering future priorities. To see the paper, please click on the link above.
  
  
• Soil Fertility Review - by ADAS, IGER, HDRA and UWB
  A three-year project funded by the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is investigating aspects of soil fertility in organically managed soils. As a starting point a comprehensive literature review was undertaken. The review is available in PDF format and can be downloaded from www.adas.co.uk/soilfertility. Email: .
  
  
• Organic essential oils in South Africa
  The proposed agro-industrial project is to be situated in Northern KZN, South Africa. The project will be an export orientated, sustainable and profitable commercial venture. Various essential oil crops, suited to the micro climate will be grown, distilled, bottled and/or processed on site. The project will provide significant socio-economic benefits (employment opportunities & out grower opportunities) for the region. The project will be a Public/Private Partnership (PPP) between the Department of Agriculture, the local community, investors and the project managers. Technical support for the project will come from the South African CSIR. Ecocert will provide the organic certification. The initial phase of the project will be 450 ha. under centre pivot irrigation. The project will be structured as a Pty Ltd.. Donors, financial institutions and equity investors are invited to contact the project manager, Ian Macdonald, for detailed information.
  Email: .
  
  
• The Chilean Organic Food Supply Chain: A comparative study with current developments in the European Union
  The main objectives are to assess the nature of current organic production systems and the effectiveness of institutional arrangements in Chile to enable local producers to comply with international standards, and to identify appropriate roles for facilitating organizations (e.g. government, marketing agencies, export organizations, etc.) in the area of organic production, and in this context delineate future strategies to enter the European market.
  
  
• HDRA International Research Department Organic Horticulture Programme
  The Organic Horticulture Programme consists of a wide range of research projects, most of which are of an applied nature, carried out in close collaboration with commercial organic farmers and growers. Click here for a full list of research projects for 2000.
  
  
• An Organic Internationalisation Strategy for the Finnish Food Industry
  Finpro (former Finnish Foreign Trade Association) has prepared an organic internationalisation strategy for the Finnish food industry. Over 20 companies and 10 organisations took part in the project. The strategy was prepared for Finpro by Mr Erkki Pöytäniemi from Kurmakka ­ Organic Food Ltd. Click here for more info
  
  
• Abundance and Diversity of Bats on Organic Farms in Britain
  The aim of this study is to aid in formulating recommendations for the conservation of farmland, and help advise landowners on the management of foraging sites of British bats. Habitat selection of bats in organic and conventional farms is of particular interest.
  
  
• Dynamic Product Flow Model for a Mixed Ecological Farm
  A model for developing and managing sustainability in mixed ecological farms is described. The model can form a basis for an operational or tactical decision-support system.
  
  
• A review of current European research on organic farming
  This review of current research projects was published in a printed report in February 2000 and is now freely available online at http://www.adas.co.uk/organic/ as a fully searchable database.
  
  
• Network for Animal Health and Welfare in Organic Agriculture
  A collaborative research forum on animal health and welfare in organic livestock production, funded by the EU. It brings together experts from 17 research institutes in 13 European countries. Click here for more info.
  
  
• Research on Organic Farming in the German Language Region
  This review is provided by Helga Willer and Uli Zerger of Stiftung Ökologie & Landbau, Weinstrasse Süd 51, D-67098 Bad Dürkheim, Germany.
  
  
• Southern SARE Project Summaries
  The most recent project summaries submitted in December 2000 by Southern SARE project investigators are now online at the Southern SARE website.
  
  
• Sustainable Agriculture Network National Database of Projects
  SARE's national database features project summaries that include objectives, methods, results and potential benefits.
  
  
• Sustainable Weed Management in Organic Herb & Vegetable Production
  A project of University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.
  
  
• Research Methodologies in Organic Farming
  Working to harmonize research methods for easier comparability and more efficient use of research results across diverse local conditions. The working group is part of the Sustainable Rural Environment and Energy Network (SREN) supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) within the context of the FAO European System of Cooperative Research Networks in Agriculture (ESCORENA). For more information contact the coordinator Prof. R. Zanoli () or the responsible FAO officer Mr. R. Krell (
  
  
• Assessment of the impact of CAP-reform and possible policy developments on organic farming
  Coordinated by Prof. Dr. Stephan Dabbert, University of Hohenheim, Germany. Click here for more information.

Past Research

• DOCEA - Documentation of Ecological Agriculture
  DOCEA was a concerted action funded by the European Union in which various documentation centers and user-representatives worked on better availability of literature relevant to ecological agriculture.