Research Institute of Organic Agriculture

The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL ) is an independent research institution in the Swiss Frick, which deals with the study of methods and applications of organic farming.

It is one of the leading knowledge and documentation centers for organic farming. FiBL employs approximately 145 employees (2012 ). In 2011, the Institute had a yield of about 19.6 million Swiss francs ( 2011).

History

FiBL was founded in 1973 as a private foundation of organic farmers in collaboration with scientists. It set itself the goal to support the organic farmers through research projects and consultancy. The Institute was established in Oberwil from 1974, since 1997 in Frick. Through the Institute was the alignment of the first IFOAM Conference 1977 in Sissach and the 13th IFOAM Conference in Basel, 2000. Since 1989, FiBL is headed by Urs Niggli.

Cooperations

Since 2001, the sister institute FiBL Germany and FiBL Austria since 2004. FiBL is a member of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements IFOAM and the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research ISOFAR built. FiBL is active in Switzerland and maintains an extensive European research network. In addition, FiBL is active in Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Financing

FiBL is the Federal Office for Agriculture, the Federal Office for the Environment, Forests and Landscape, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, of the agricultural offices of the cantons, municipalities and Coop, BIO SUISSE, Hiscia, Migros and individuals financed. In addition, FiBL funded numerous research contracts. The institute is " Organic farming " involved the addition of a number of EU research projects and the German Federal program projects.