Organic farming is an example of the integration of non-monetary valued goals (as for example environmental concerns and animal welfare) in a market driven production. The main tool is the use of certification of the production. In this perspective organic farming becomes an interesting model for the entire food system. Current fast structural changes in Swedish agricultural primary production with decreasing numbers of farmers and an increasing size of farms on the one hand and increasing market competition and decreasing food prices on the other hand are well known realities.  Reports on the decreasing capacity of the global ecosystems to generate non-monetary valued life supporting ecosystem services also emphasize the role of agriculture to fulfil these functions (Millennium Assessment, 2005). Multifunctional agriculture, making use of ecosystem services for biomass production, collective utilities and new workplaces, is highlighted. 

In order to play an important role on these issues, the sustainable development of organic farming requires research covering a wide scope of aspects, from environmental issues in the farm and food production system to questions about ethics, precaution and feedback at different levels. Knowledge from different disciplines, areas and perspectives need to be integrated. Scarce resources for research and development, along with the historical development of organic farming (to a substantial part based on experiential learning and knowledge) highlight the importance of relevance and validity in organic research

Geber, U.

Ivarsson, K.

Källander, I.

Organic Eprints

Archived at http://www.orgprints.org/4227The Swedish challenge – interdisciplinarity, collaboration and integration for research and development in organic farmingDr. Ulrika. Geber (1), Kjell. Ivarsson (2), Inger Källander (3), Dr. Lennart Salomonsson (4)(1) Centre for Sustainable Agriculture CUL, P.O. Box 7047, S-750 07 Uppsala, E-mail ulrika.geber@cul.slu.se(2) Federation of Swedish Farmers LRF, S-105 33 Stockholm, E-mail kjell.ivarsson@lrf.se(3) Swedish Ecological Farmers Association, Sågargatan 10 A, S-75318 Uppsala, E-mail inger.kallander@ekolantbruk.se(4) Centre for Sustainable Agriculture CUL, P.O. Box 7047, S-75007 Uppsala, E-mail lennart.salomonsson@cul.slu.deKey Words: Sweden, Research Structures, Research Policy & DevelopmentIntroduction: Strategic issues in the sustainable development of organic and conventional farming Organic farming is an example of the integration of non-monetary valued goals (as for example environmental concerns and animal welfare) in a market driven production. The main tool is the use of certification of the production. In this perspective organic farming becomes an interesting model for the entire food system. Current fast structural changes in Swedish agricultural primary production with decreasing numbers of farmers and an increasing size of farms on the one hand and increasing market competition and decreasing food prices on the other hand are well known realities.  Reports on the decreasing capacity of the global ecosystems to generate non-monetary valued life supporting ecosystem services also emphasize the role of agriculture to fulfil these functions (Millennium Assessment, 2005). Multifunctional agriculture, making use of ecosystem services for biomass production, collective utilities and new workplaces, is highlighted. In order to play an important role on these issues, the sustainable development of organic farming requires research covering a wide scope of aspects, from environmental issues in the farm and food production system to questions about ethics, precaution and feedback at different levels. Knowledge from different disciplines, areas and perspectives need to be integrated. Scarce resources for research and development, along with the historical development of organic farming (to a substantial part based on experiential learning and knowledge) highlight the importance of relevance and validity in organic research.Theoretical frameworkWith agroecology as a basis for the development of organic farming, research on organic farming also deals with the long term sustainability issues of agriculture. With theories of resilience (e.g. Berkes et al., 2003) and systems ecology (Odum, 2001), ecological concepts and ecological principles are used to describe and in practice design farm and food systems. Tight feedback loops as a design principle for a farm or a food distribution system is a strategy to promote capacity for self organisation and efficient learning. In research it implies a close communication with different actors and a common effort in the identification of relevant research questions and areas, choice of research methods and evaluation of results. Science- and experience-based knowledge from different disciplines should be integrated in order to handle complex problems where uncertainty and goal conflicts are inherent. This integration is in line with research results concerning effective learning and the sustainable human use of the common natural resource base (Holling et. al., 2001).  The maintenance of diversity, genetic as well as agricultural and organizational is important at farm level for the buffering net capacity to unexpected changes and for the development of contextual management solutions (i.e. supporting development of system modularity) (Levin, 1999). Diversity of institutional support in research across scales is promoted through different networks of e.g. practitioners and researchers at local level and research networks at national and international level. The Swedish national research program in organic farming together with the Swedish participation in the European research network for financing of transnational research in organic farming (CORE organic) is an example of such a commonly targeted diversity.Results and brief discussionDialogue and collaboration with different actors in the organic farm and food systemIn Sweden CUL (Centre for Sustainable Agriculture) is the platform for researchers and other actors with an interest in organic farming. It is part of the national University (SLU, Swedish Life Science University), and has the responsibility to facilitate communication between different actors in the farm and food system in order to ensure relevant and good quality research. It also has the responsibility to coordinate research and to initiate interdisciplinary research and education. A board/reference group is connected to CUL. It consists of representatives from organic and conventional farmers’ associations, consumer organisations, retailers, and other authorities who deal with agricultural, environmental and consumer and food security issues. Researchers from different research areas are also represented.CUL is financing the Swedish participation in the Nordic network AGROASIS (Nordic School of Agroecology/Ecological Agriculture), which develops a common MSc in agroecology. The aim of such an educational program is to create a learning environment for candidates with relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes to act (“action knowledge”) in the development of sustainable food systems (Francis et al., 2004; Lieblein et al., 2004). The educational program is based on agroecology with a clear interdisciplinary approach. The curriculum has been organised around the principles of experiential or action education, where learning is seen as experience, reflection, action and reflection (Kolb, 1984). The Kolb’s learning cycle is used in the design of course content, as well as in the design of the order of courses (Sriskandarajah et al., 2005, Salomonsson et al. 2004). In the preparation of a frame programme for priorities of research in organic farming, every third year, a broad group of actors is invited. Farmers’ associations, advisers, researchers, financing bodies and representatives of the organic food system are taking part in the process. Problem descriptions and priorities of important questions, as well as the balance between solving short-term bottlenecks in the production chain on the one hand and long-term sustainability issues on the other hand, are negotiated. One challenge is to develop different arenas for this negotiation in order to engage a larger number of people in the process, be it on the web or in in-group discussions. Coordination and strategic discussionsA consulting group coordinated by CUL, consisting of financing bodies, authorities and representatives of the organic production chain, has the responsibility to maintain an overview of the research financing in different areas. To some extent funding bodies are coordinating their activities, exchanging information about funding of ongoing research. Prioritised Priority areas without research funding are identified and actions are commonly taken. This includes discussions with specific financing bodies, the support of the formation of new research groups or the formation of focus groups consisting of researchers as well as practitioners in order to cover all areas. The further development of research questions is sometimes on the agenda. Discussions on participatory research methodology, on methods that promote the handling of local conditions and interdisciplinary research are taking place in order to enhance the financing of relevant research projects of good quality. In the preparatory work for setting the political goals for organic farming in Sweden, the Swedish Board of Agriculture has used an inclusive approach, inviting representatives from organic and conventional farmer associations, environmental and consumer organisations, authorities and representatives from the organic food chain. During a process over several months, evaluation of the fulfilment of earlier goals and of policy instruments are discussed and inputs to the formulation of new goals are made. In an Action plan for the fulfilment of the political goals of organic farming in Sweden, the Swedish Board of Agriculture appointed the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry as responsible body for the formation of an Ecological Forum, organising seminars and workshops, connecting politicians, researchers and practitioners in the food chain. To the Ecological Forum a reference group is connected with representatives from organic and conventional farmer associations, consumer associations together as well as processing and market representatives.  In the Forum discussions, constraints are identified and hot research topics are formulated and discussed.Integration of organic and conventional farmers for the development of organic farming and long term sustainability of farming in SwedenThe development of organic farming in Sweden has promoted the sustainable development of the Swedish conventional agriculture. The pioneering efforts made by organic farmers and researchers in organic farming have given raise to fruitful reflections and discussions in conventional farming. This is true, e.g. for the area of animal welfare and for the national goal, decided by the parliament, to minimise the pesticide use in conventional agriculture. The development of an environment and quality certification body for conventional farming “Svenskt Sigill” (Swedish Seal of Quality) was also trigged by the formation and development of the Swedish organic certification system KRAV. This “pulling effect” of organic farming on conventional farming has now been more formally developed by co-operation between the organic farmers’ and the conventional farmers’ associations. Common goal documents have been prepared, and the joint efforts to develop the Swedish agriculture were presented at the IFOAM conference in 2000. This cooperation is partly due to the fact that a substantial part of the organically farmed area in Sweden exists on farms with both conventional and organic production, and more than ten percent of members of the conventional farmer association have organic production. This large number is probably due to the fact that the Swedish subsidies for organic farming until today are disconnected from certified production although the all organic farmers – certified or not – have to comply to the same rules. The Swedish parliament has decided upon 15 environmental quality goals. They cover all parts of society and are to be reached within one generation. Among them is a reduced use of pesticides, but there is also a focus on eutrophication and nutrient losses from agriculture. A campaign called “Nutrient in focus” has been launched for agriculture in target areas. An increasing number of organic farmers and farms are taking part in the “Nutrient in Focus” campaign. Among other things this has resulted in a slowly growing database with information on nutrient management on organic farms, absent until today. Organic production is now a natural part of the extension service offered at county level.The integrative and collaboratory approach taken by Sweden has the effect that a large number of farmers, researchers and other actors are participating in the development of, and research in, organic farming.  It results in a development process with a large number of perspectives and – sometimes – conflicting goals. The creation of many different fora for discussion and reflection on the development of the organic farm and food system is on the other hand an insurance of the stability and sustainability of the development process.ReferencesBerkes, F., Colding, J. and Folke, C. (2003). Navigating Social-Ecological Systems. Building Resilience for Complexity and Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Francis, C., Lieblein, G., Gliessman, S., Breland, T.A. , Creamer, N., Harwood, R., Salomonsson, L., Helenius, J., Rickerl, D., Salvador, R., Wiedenhoeft, M., Simmons, S., Allen, P., Altieri, M., Flora, C and Poincelot. R. (2003) Agroecology: the ecology of food systems. J. Sustainable Agric. 22(3):99-118.Francis, Charles & Lieblein, Geir & Salomonsson, Lennart & Rutkoviene, Vida & Sriskandarajah, Nadarajah & Breland, Tor Arvid & Moulton, Michael & Helenius (2003) Innovative education in agroecology: the ecology of food systems in the Nordic Region. Vagos. - Akademija (Kauno raj.): Lietuvos zemes ukio universiteto Leidybos centras ISSN 1648-116X.: 61 (14), p. 14-19 Gliessman, S. (1998) Agroecology: ecological processes in sustainable agriculture. Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, Michigan, U.S.A.Gundersson, L. (2000). Ecological Resilience - in Theory and Application. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 3: 425-39.Holling, C., Schindler, D., Walker, B. and Roughgarden, J. (1995) "Biodiversity in the functioning of ecosystems: An ecological synthesis". In C. Perrings, K.-G. Mäler, C. Folke, C. Holling and J. B-O. (eds.), Biodiversity Loss: Economic and Ecological Issues (pp. 44-84). UK: Cambridge University Press.Kolb, D. (1984) Experiential Learning: experience as a source of learning and development. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Inc.Lieblein, G., L. Salomonsson, T.A. Breland, N. Sriskandarajah, H. Kahiluoto, C. Francis, and E. Ostergaard (2004) Experiential learning in agriculture and food systems: NOVA University model in agroecology. Amer. Soc. Agronomy, Annual Meeting, Seattle, WashingtonLevin, S. (1999). Fragile Dominion. Complexity and the Commons. Perseus Publishing.Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) Ecosystems and Human Well-being. Synthesis. Island Press. Washington.Odum, H.T. (2001) Ecological and General Systems. An introduction to Systems Ecology. Univ. Press, Colorado.Salomonsson L., Lieblein G., Frances C., Sriskandarajah N. and Helenius J. (2004) Education in agroecology - pedagogical experiences from the Nordic countries. In: Rebuilding Africa's capacity for agricultural development: the role of tertiary education. Temu A. B., Chakeredza S., Mogosti K., Munthali D. and Mulinge R. (eds). Reviewed papers presented at ANAFE Symposium on Tertiary Agricultural Education, April 2003. ICRAF, Nairobi, Kenya. 2004. (ISBN 92-9059-1609). pp 121-129.Sriskandarajah, N.,  Francis, C., Salomonsson, L., Kahiluoto, H., Lieblein, G., Breland, T-.A. Geber, U. And Helenius, J. (2005) Education and Training in Ecological Agriculture: Nordic Region and U.S.A. In: T. Acram (Ed), Organic agriculture: a global perspective. Csiro PublishingPAGE  4

The Swedish challenge – interdisciplinarity, collaboration and integration for research and development in organic farming

https://orgprints.org/4227/1/geber-etal-2005-sweden-revised.doc

The Swedish challenge – interdisciplinarity, collaboration and integration for research and development in organic farming

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Organic Eprints