Proposal for a European technology platform on organic farming: a vision for research into organic farming by 2025

Faced with current challenges such as food security, the unsustainable use of natural resources, soil and biodiversity degradation, and climate change, international experts are calling for a change in strategy. The aim is to contribute to sustainable science and to develop a form of agriculture that respects nature and values not only technological knowledge but also the knowledge of farmers. The reports of the ‘Millennium Ecosystem Assessment’ and the IAASTD[1] point in this direction. Driven by these recommendations, there is undoubtedly an urgent need to analyse the potential of organic farming from the perspective of sustainability and self-sufficiency, particularly with regard to energy-intensive inputs. Consequently, it is important to debate the future strategy for organic farming, and it is even more urgent to discuss the direction of research in this field. Should we focus on high-quality production aimed at niche markets – a perspective often attributed to organic farming? Or, on the contrary, should we assess the potential of organic farming to feed a growing global population whilst minimising environmental impacts? Can these two objectives be combined? Organic farming is based on interesting concepts. For instance, crop productivity is enhanced through the recycling of nutrients and biomass, by increasing the links between livestock and crop production. Crop rotations incorporating legumes make production self-sufficient in nitrogen and reduce fossil fuel consumption. Biodiversity management, to stabilise pest and disease populations, as well as increased soil fertility, are essential contributions to safeguarding the services provided by ecosystems. Finally, organic farming has always been based on the indigenous or tacit knowledge of farmers.Ecological or eco-functional intensification is emerging as a common challenge for agriculture. This is why the IFOAM-EU group has developed a scientific vision for the future of organic farming (see the website: www.tporganics.eu) and, in December 2008, launched a technology platform on organic farming, which will host and facilitate discussions on research strategies.