Research Institute of Organic Agriculture

The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (German: Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau, in short: FiBL), is one of the world's leading organic farming information and research centers. As an independent, non-profit organization, FiBL promotes research and projects that help farmers improve their productivity with consideration of environmental and health impacts. FiBL is located in Frick, Switzerland with branches in Germany and Austria.

Currently, FiBL Switzerland employs about 175 people. Urs Niggli has been the director of the institute since 1990.

History

FiBL was founded in Switzerland in 1973 by a group of organic farmers and scientists who wanted to promote the growth of the organic farming industry. At the time, the organic movement was still in its initial stages. The founders of FiGL wanted to to create a foundation that was exclusively developed to disseminating information and practical advice to farmers who wanted to depart from conventional practices.^[1][2][3] One of the founding members was Philippe Matile, professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zürich, who came up with the design for the Bud label as the FiBL logo. The Bud label subsequently became the logo of Bio Suisse, the umbrella organisation of the Swiss organic farmer organizations, and is used to identity products that are certified organic.^[4][5] FiBL is a member of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements IFOAM ^[6] and helped in establishing the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research ISOFAR. FIBL has also worked with IFOAM to develop international organic standards. ^{[7] [8]}

FiGL was located in Oberwil, canton of Basel Land, from 1974 until 1997, when it changed its location to Frick in the canton of Aargau.

In 2004, FiBL began operating its own winery which produces over 40 wines, all managed organically.^[9]

FiBL has organised several events in the past; among them are the 1st IFOAM Scientific Conference 1977 ^[10] in Sissach at the agricultural college of Ebenrain, and the 13th Conference (2000, in Basel).^[11]

Locations

FiBL Germany, with a staff of 30, and FiBL Austria, with a staff of 18, were established in 2000 and 2004, respectively. FiBL maintains a vast European network of researchers and takes part in various EU projects.^[12] FiBL also supports research projects and advisory services in Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa. FiGL's goals are to promote best farming practice training materials that will help smallholder farmers transition to a more long-term and economically viable agriculture.

Departments^[13]

• Soil Sciences: This department investigates the impact of organic versus conventional farming on soil quality, as well as the effects of energy and/or fertilizer use. The department conducts both research and on-site experiments to evaluate alternative micro-organism communities in soil and ways of managing soil to better adapt to climate change.
• Crop Sciences: This department focuses on integrating crop management in conjunction with optimizing the ecosystem, including considerations of biodiversity, pollination, natural disease and pest control, and soil fertility.
• Livestock Sciences: This department conducts research and development in areas of animal breeding, husbandry, nutrition and health. The goal is to develop strategies to improve livestock in organics holdings.
• Socioeconomic Sciences: This department researches sustainability decisions of farmers, companies and policy makers. Additionally, the department examines how agricultural policy impacts organic farming.
• Extension, Training and Communication: This department is responsible for training and advising farmers through the use of technical guides, manuals and conference reports.
• International Cooperation: This department specializes in helping developing and transitional countries implement organic and sustainable practices.

Financing

The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture and its advisory service are financed by the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG), the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), cantonal and municipal agricultural authorities, and private organizations (Coop, Bio Suisse, Hiscia, Migros and others) and individuals. Additionally, FiBL finances itself through various research projects including EU sponsored research projects.^[14]

Publications

FiBL produces several technical brochures to provide farmers with practical information, as well as the results of FiBL research. It also produces a monthly magazine jointly with BioSuisse, as well as several videos on YouTube on various themes relating to organic farming.^[15]

Notes and references

1. Niggli, Urs (2007). "Chapter 14: FiBL and Organic Research in Switzerland". In Lockeretz, William. Organic Farming: An International History. Cabi Intl. p. 242. ISBN 978-0-851-99833-6.
2. Alföldi, Thomas (2011): Die FiBL-Chronik. Published on Youtube. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZesPpumJplE&feature=related
3. Moser, Peter(1994): Der Stand der Bauern. Bäuerliche Politik, Wirtschaft und Kultur gestern und heute. Huber, Frauenfeld. Information is available at https://www.swissbib.ch/Record/271412607
4. Alföldi, Thomas (2011): On the death of Philippe Matile: "The bud Is the most notable mark I’ll leave". Published at the Website of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Frick, www.fibl.org. Available at http://www.fibl.org/de/service/nachrichtenarchiv/meldung/article/on-the-death-of-philippe-matile-the-bud-is-the-most-notable-mark-ill-leave.html
5. "The Bud Label". www.bio-suisse.ch. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
6. International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (2015): The Organic Movement Worldwide: Membership E-Directory 2015. IFOAM, Bonn. Available at http://www.ifoam.bio/sites/default/files/directory_2015updated_lowres.pdf Accessed 13 August 2015
7. "| IFOAM". www.ifoam.bio. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
8. "FiBL -FiBL turns 40 – reminiscence and outlook". www.fibl.org. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
9. "FiBL -FiBL winery - Natural wine enjoyment guaranteed". www.fibl.org. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
10. Besson, J. M. & Vogtmann, H. (1978) Towards a Sustainable Agriculture. Conference proceedings of the first IFOAM conference, held in Sissach 1977. Verlag Wirz AG, Aarau, Switzerland
11. Alföldi, Thomas, William Lockeretz, Urs Niggli (2000): Proceedings of the 13th International IFOAM Scientific Conference. Convention Center Basel, 28 to 31 August 2000. vdf Hochschulverlag an der ETH Zürich. Information available at https://www.swissbib.ch/Record/003440397
12. FiBL (2015): FiBL Participation in Projects Funded by the European Union. The website of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Frick, www.fibl.org. Available at http://www.fibl.org/en/switzerland/research/eu-projects.html
13. "FiBL -Research". www.fibl.org. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
14. Lange, Stefan; Williges, Ute; Saxena, Shilpi; Willer, Helga (2006). "European Research in Organic Food and Farming" (PDF). Organic Eprints. Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE). Retrieved 11 August 2015.
15. "FiBL -Communication". www.fibl.org. Retrieved 2016-04-06.

External links

• Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture
• FiBl Activity Report 2014
• FiBL Chronicles on Youtube(German)
• FiBL Project Database