FiBL Frick (CH) – over 30 years of organic farming research

The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Frick, Switzerland employs over 100 experts. It is the world’s leading information and documentation centre for organic agriculture. The close links between different fields of research and the rapid transfer of knowledge from research to advisory work and agricultural practice are FiBL’s strengths. Outside Switzerland the Institute’s competence is also sought after, and FiBL is involved in numerous international projects – not only in research, consultancy and training but also in development cooperation. The sister-institute FiBL Germany was founded in 2001. In 2004 FiBL Austria was established.

FiBL research: highly relevant to farming practice

Since it was founded in 1973, FiBL has worked to establish scientific foundations for organic farming and species-appropriate livestock management.

• Fruit, wine, vegetables and potatoes are the main subjects of crop research at FiBL. Trials have been conducted on resisting pests and diseases by promoting beneficial organisms, applying direct control measures, and improving cultivation techniques.
  
  
• Another key emphasis is on measures to raise soil fertility.
  
  
• Veterinarians are engaged in research into udder health and parasites, optimizing husbandry, feeding and pasture regimes, and making use of homeopathy, plant preparations and beneficial fungi. The husbandry and feeding of broilers and organic laying hens are additional focal points.
  
  
• Analysis is conducted into the economic constraints upon organic farms, economically viable pricing of organic products, and support measures within agricultural policy. Marketing issues are also tackled.

On the working farm in Frick the emphasis is on fruit, viticulture, arable farming, dairy livestock and bees. Furthermore numerous projects and data collection programmes are taking place on more than 200 working farms throughout Switzerland.

In Therwil, near Basel, the long-term DOK trial which started back in 1978 is still in progress. It compares biodynamic and organic agriculture with conventional systems. This trial has yielded a large amount of internationally recognized evidence for the ecological benefits of organic farming in comparison to conventional agriculture. FiBL researchers have documented this with numerous scientific publications in renowned journals, most recently an article in the journal “Science”.

Experienced professionals are regularly consulted on research priorities in the expert commissions of the organic producers’ organization BIO SUISSE.

As a result of the success of organic farming in the 1990s, today the Swiss federal agricultural research stations also conduct research into aspects of organic agriculture.

DOK Homepage
FiBL-Press Release: Publication of a manual for organic agriculture training in the Tropics (11.11.2002)

FiBL consultancy: taking know-how to farms

As a complement to FiBL research, its advisory service ensures that findings are quickly passed on to working farmers. Besides individual and group advice, the most important advisory instruments are courses, the monthly magazine “bio aktuell”, data sheets and checklists. The cantons, FiBL and the private organic organizations cooperate closely within an alliance of organic advisors (Bio-Berater-Vereinigung, BBV). Its office is based at FiBL.

Extension (german)

FiBL publications: important tools for disseminating information

FiBL media place the results of FiBL research within the reach of farmers and other people with an active interest in agriculture, and disseminate these results to extension workers. Many of FiBL’s publications are available in several languages and some are distributed internationally.

• With its data sheets, FiBL has set standards for the optimum presentation of research findings for agricultural practice. FiBL data sheets give concise information on a topic and highlight solutions to key problems. They are an indispensable aid to working farmers.
  
  
• In its dossiers, FiBL provides evidence to support the case for organic agriculture.
  
  
• It publishes the monthly magazine “bioaktuell” jointly with BIO SUISSE. A cooperation arrangement exists between FiBL and the German foundation Stiftung Ökologie & Landbau, the publisher of “Ökologie & Landbau” magazine which is aimed primarily at experts and researchers in the field.
  
  
• FiBL makes certain information available electronically on CD-ROM (checklists and sets of transparencies).
  
  
• Furthermore FiBL Switzerland and FiBL Germany publish several Internet sites on different themes concerning organic agriculture.

FiBL-Publications
"bioaktuell" Magazine
"Ökologie & Lanbau" Magazine
FiBL websites

FiBL – International networks 

FiBL cooperates on numerous projects and in technical commissions with experts in Switzerland and abroad.

... in research

FiBL is sought after as a partner in European Union research projects. Almost twenty projects are in hand with European partners, working jointly to address issues of food quality, animal health, future development, agricultural policy, optimization of farming techniques and crop protection.

The FiBL range of advisory services is also in demand internationally. FiBL experts take their knowledge to numerous countries all over the world. A dedicated division of FiBL coordinates these activities. Eminent examples of FiBL’s international work are the establishment of a certification organization in India (Indocert) or the introduction of organic citrus production in Cuba.

... in cooperation with international organizations

The competence of FiBL is also sought after within international organizations. FiBL contributes to the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization FAO. FiBL expertise is also in demand at the European Union and FiBL is involved in drawing up the European action plan for organic agriculture.
In the worldwide umbrella organization IFOAM, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, FiBL contributes its competence to numerous committees (standards committee, European Union regional group, Codex Alimentarius working group).

History

The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) was established in 1973 by organic farmers and scientists, in the form of a private foundation.

Its mission was to support the organic farmers who, at that time, were sidelined by the federal and canton authorities, with research projects and consultancy. The Institute began its work in 1974 in Oberwil in the canton of Baselland, and has been in action since 1997 in Frick, in the canton of Aargau. Major milestones in the history of FiBL include the organization of the 1st IFOAM conference in 1977 in Sissach, and that of the 13th IFOAM conference in Basel, 2000.

Financing

The Research Institute and its advisory service are financed by the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture (BLW), the Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape (BUWAL), cantonal and municipal agricultural authorities, and private organizations and individuals. Furthermore FiBL finances itself by means of numerous pieces of commissioned research and is involved in many EU research projects.

Information

Dr. Urs Niggli, FiBL Director