ÖMKi – the Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture
The Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture ÖMKi was established in 2011 to promote the improvement and more widespread implementation of organic agriculture in Hungary. ÖMKi is a non-profit organization based in Budapest and employs currently about 30 people. For Hungary, organic agriculture is one of the greatest opportunities to renew its agricultural and food industry and enhance sustainability. In order to maintain the dynamic growth of organic agriculture, it is essential to develop and strengthen it through scientific research and extension services.
The principles of ÖMKi are authenticity, participation-based research, practice orientation and effective knowledge transfer.
Professional goals
- Advance organic farming through excellent scientific research.
- Promote the authenticity of organic agriculture with independent scientific results.
- Increase the competitiveness of organic farming.
- Provide quality services for sustainable agriculture.
- Provide extension and authentic information based on scientific evidence.
- Promote cooperation and dialogue between actors in public and private sectors involved in organic agriculture.
Main work areas
- Cutting-edge research: The research of ÖMKi focuses on topics that can bring significant and novel results for organic food production. Participation in international research projects allows ÖMKi to channel Hungarian organic farmers into the international scientific community.
- Participation-based on-farm research network: The on-farm research network is a system of innovative experiments carried out on Hungarian organic farms. The heart and soul of this network is cooperation. By performing experiments and discussing their results, ÖMKi creates close relationships between farmers, researchers, processors and wider society, so they can act together to create a healthy and sustainable future.
- Customised services: By providing advice on organic agriculture, ÖMKi offers tailored support for farmers, while the research services help organic companies achieve their development goals.
- Knowledge sharing and representation: Authentic and accurate communication is indispensable when disseminating knowledge about scientific research results to a broader public and when implementing these results in practice. ÖMKI ensures the flow of information within the organic sector with professional conferences, courses and workshops, at which issues related to agricultural policies and advocacy and specific questions on cultivation technologies are discussed.
Further information
Contact
Dora Drexler, director of ÖMKi
Link
biokutatas.hu: ÖMKi website