Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FIBL)

FiBL is one of the leading organic farming research and technology transfer centres dedicated to sustainable agriculture, with 160 staff. It is an independent, non-profit, research institute with the aim of advancing cutting-edge science particularly in the field of organic farming. FiBL’s research team works together with farmers and farmer organisations to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions to boost agricultural productivity, while never losing sight of environmental, health and socio-economic impacts. It focuses on soil and crop sciences, socio-economic and animal sciences. FiBL has numerous projects and initiatives in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa.

The Department of Extension, Training & Communication (ETC) works at the interface between farmers, research institutions, educational centres, associations, business actors and other stakeholders. FiBL runs more than 20 different farm networks and a demonstration farm for arable and horticultural crops, animal husbandry, and sustainability assessment. The communication group produces all materials and information used by farm advisors, farmers and teachers such as technical guides, farmers’ magazines, manuals, online-videos and websites. More http://www.fibl.org/en/switzerland/communication-advice.html

The socioeconomics department aims at providing strong evidence for the sustainability decisions of farmers, companies and policy-makers. A particular focus of the department lies on close collaboration with practice partners, including the analysis of learning and innovation processes that take place in such multi-actor settings. More http://www.fibl.org/en/switzerland/research/socio-economics.html