The funds allotted to this project will make it possible to create an efficient system for the advancement of scientific research and consultation in Hungarian organic agriculture. Included will be innovative research projects that will substantiate the development and competitiveness of Hungarian organic agriculture and food production in the long run through practically applicable results.
Planned activities
Short-term
Review of the current state-of-the-art and the development potential of organic agriculture and food industry research in Hungary through a survey of the concerned research institutes, professional organisations and innovative enterprises (to be conducted in spring 2011).
Mid-term
Funding of Hungarian research projects of outstanding quality that are scientifically based and advance the contribution of organic farming to achieve sustainable agriculture, a healthy lifestyle, food safety, the protection of biodiversity and climate stability (first call for proposals to be launched in summer 2011).
Long-term
Establishment and maintenance of an institute for the advancement of internationally competitive research and development in the field of organic farming in Hungary.
Expected results
- An up-to-date overview of the current research capacities, demands and development possibilities in Hungarian organic agriculture and food industry.
- Partnerships with the leading Hungarian research institutes, professional organisations and innovative enterprises of the field.
- An upswing of Hungarian research on organic agriculture.
- Stronger cooperation between the actors of organic agriculture, food industry and the R+D sector.
- Improvement of the efficiency of internal information exchange and outward communication in the organic sector.
- A new project-coordination and research centre for the advancement of Hungarian organic farming sciences.
Background
Organic agriculture is one of the world’s most dynamically developing agricultural systems. In Europe within the last 25 years, the area of organic farming has grown to 9.3 million hectares, and the number of organic farms increased to 260,000. Today nearly five percent of the EU’s total agricultural area is utilized for organic farming. In Hungary, in the frame of the organic controlling system, more than 2,000 enterprises on approximately 140,000 hectares of land produce more than 100 million euros equivalent of foodstuff annually.
Due to environmental, social and economic challenges facing humankind on a global scale, the research and development of organic agriculture and food production has become an increasingly important field of scientific endeavour. For Hungary, organic farming is one of the greatest opportunities to renew its agricultural sector and ensure its long-term sustainability. Organic farming has been developing fast in Hungary due to its early adoption in the 1980s. However, its advancement has stagnated since the new century. In order to bring back dynamics to Hungarian organic agriculture, the enhancement of scientific research, professional consultancy and strategic market development is of key importance.
Further information
Contact
- Dóra Drexler
- Zsolt Kanyó
- Urs Niggli
Flyer
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