4227: The Swedish challenge – interdisciplinarity, collaboration and integration for research and development in organic farming
(2005) The Swedish challenge – interdisciplinarity, collaboration and integration for research and development in organic farming. Paper presented at Researching Sustainable Systems - International Scientific Conference on Organic Agriculture, Adelaide, Australia, September 21-23, 2005.
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Summary
Organic farming is an example of the integration of non-monetary valued goals (as for example environmental concerns and animal welfare) in a market driven production. The main tool is the use of certification of the production. In this perspective organic farming becomes an interesting model for the entire food system. Current fast structural changes in Swedish agricultural primary production with decreasing numbers of farmers and an increasing size of farms on the one hand and increasing market competition and decreasing food prices on the other hand are well known realities. Reports on the decreasing capacity of the global ecosystems to generate non-monetary valued life supporting ecosystem services also emphasize the role of agriculture to fulfil these functions (Millennium Assessment, 2005). Multifunctional agriculture, making use of ecosystem services for biomass production, collective utilities and new workplaces, is highlighted.
In order to play an important role on these issues, the sustainable development of organic farming requires research covering a wide scope of aspects, from environmental issues in the farm and food production system to questions about ethics, precaution and feedback at different levels. Knowledge from different disciplines, areas and perspectives need to be integrated. Scarce resources for research and development, along with the historical development of organic farming (to a substantial part based on experiential learning and knowledge) highlight the importance of relevance and validity in organic research.
| Document Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | ws-research-structures |
| Subject Areas: | Knowledge management > Research methodology and philosophy > Research communication and quality |
| Research affiliation: | International Conferences > ISOFAR conferences > Researching Sustainable Systems 2005 Sweden > University SLU > CUL - Centre for Sustainable Agriculture |
| Total budget (Euro): | 0 |
| Orgprints ID Number: | 4227 |
| Contact: | ISOFAR, |
| Deposited On: | 09 May 2006 |
| EPrint Type: | Conference paper |
| Published?: | Unpublished |
| Peer Review Status: | Peer-reviewed and accepted |
| Additional Publishing Information: | The paper presented here is the final paper submitted by the authors to the conference Researching Sustainable Systems. The final edited papers are available with the following publication: Köpke, Ulrich; Niggli, Urs; Neuhoff, Daniel; Cornish, Peter; Lockeretz, Willie und Willer, Helga, (Hrsg.) (2005) Researching Sustainable Systems. Proceedings of the First Scientific Conference of the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR), Held in Cooperation with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia (NASAA), 21 – 23 September 2005, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, South Australia.. Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, CH-Frick, and International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR), c/o Institute of Organic Agriculture (IOL), DE-University of Bonn. http://orgprints.org/4013/ Distribution: Paper copies may be ordered from FiBL at a cost of 28 Euros plus mailing costs (see FiBL shop at http://www.fibl.org/shop); FiBL order number 1394. A PDF version is available free of charge for ISOFAR members via the member area of www.isofar.org. |
| Related Links: | http://www.cul.slu.se/english/index.html, http://www.core-organic.org |
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