(Frick, 26 June 2016) Organic farmers presented their products on the farmers’ market, an organic catering service provided the guests with culinary delights, and the researchers of FiBL demonstrated their work at 13 stands, including how to make tea by burning wood chippings to charcoal. If spread out in the garden, the charcoal helps to filter CO2 out of the atmosphere and sequestrate it in the soil.
FiBL suggests ways to reduce imports of soya for animal fodder in Switzerland – which is currently at 89 % and often causes destruction of rain forests and a high fuel consumption. Additionally, FiBL is carrying out research on breeding animals in a way to reduce their need for concentrate feedstuffs. Moreover, local fodder like alfalfa meal or peas are good possibilities to reduce soya imports. In the future, even protein made from larvae of the black soldier fly, which feeds on food waste, might serve as a replacement.
Martin Ott, the President of the Foundation Council of FiBL, said, "For over 40 years, FiBL has been carrying out research on methods for the improvement of soil fertility, the increase of plant biodiversity on farms and support of animal health. Today, we are excited to demonstrate what research and agriculture do for consumers."
Further information
FiBL contact
Franziska Hämmerli, FiBL Switzerland
Links
- fibl.org: FiBL livestock sciences
- fibl.org: FiBL calculations on food supply
- fibl.org: FiBL research: Is organic food healthier?
- fibl.org: Differences organic and conventional