Global Research
While the Swiss (FiBL), the Danish (ICROFS) and Rodale Institute in the USA have been putting science behind best practices in organic agriculture for 30 to 70 years, Africa has only had a little over 10 years of organic farming systems research.
There are five major areas of research required in agroecology:
Soil Fertility & Plant Nutrition
Integrated Pest & Disease Management
Animal Nutrition & Welfare
Consumer Ed, Nutrition & Food Systems Research
Soil Fertility & Plant Nutrition
Animal Nutrition & Welfare
Consumer Ed, Nutrition & Food Systems Research
Integrated Pest & Disease Management
Market Development, Quality Management & Organisational Capacity Building
Market Development, Quality Management & Organisational Capacity Building
So far, most of the African research has focused on soil fertility and plant nutrition, though there are many new initiatives evaluating the benefits of agroecology to farmers and to the environment, and a good deal of research into “climate smart agriculture” and “conservation agriculture”.
A very brief overview of some of the specifically organic projects which already have peer-reviewed publications follows:
Africa-wide Policy Research for the African Union.
Assessment (Auerbach et al. 2021) – Link to Researchgate site
Summary for Decisionmakers (Auerbach 2021)
West African research.
Work from FARA and early West African Organics Research
NOARA work from Nigeria
Regional Policy Research in East Africa.
FiBL research in Kenya.
Egyptian and North African research.
SEKEM Research (Egypt)
Tunisia
Morocco
South Africa: Mandela Farming Systems Comparative Organic Research Trials.
Our mission in Africa should be to conduct rigorous research designed to help us uncover the most effective, efficient, and regenerative farming practices. Shared with farmers and consumers worldwide, our research should act as a catalyst for change in food systems around the globe.
Organic Agriculture / Ecological Farming And Sustainable Development
- Nedlac FRIDGE Study (2008)
- Feeding the People – AGROECOLOGY FOR NOURISHING THE WORLD AND TRANSFORMING THE AGRI-FOOD SYSTEM(report by IFOAM EU Group, 2015)
- The Real Cost of Food(study by Food Tank, 2015)
- International Assessment of Agriculture, Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD), 2009. Agriculture at a Crossroads – Global Summary for Decision Makers. Island Press, Washington, USA. Available online: unep.org
- Biosphere Smart Agriculture in a True Cost Economy(policy recommendations to the World Bank, by Foundation Earth, 2015)
Food Security
- The Farming Systems Trial – Celebrating 30 Years(report by the Rodale Institute, 2015)
- Organic Agriculture and Food Security(study by IFOAM – Organics International)
- Organic farming – Optimising arable yields(study by the EIP-AGRI Focus Group on Organic Farming, 2013)
Climate Change
- Organic Agriculture and Climate Change Mitigation by FAO
- Climate Assurance Systems for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries(report by Ecofys, 2010)
- Organic Climate Smart Agriculture: An Ecosystem-Based and People Centred Approach to Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience
Ecological Intensification
- New Plant Breeding Techniques(position paper by IFOAM EU Group, 2015)
- Organic Agriculture and Biodiversity
- Organic Agriculture’s Contribution to Sustainability
- Organic Agriculture and Biodiversity(published by IFOAM – Organics International)