Abstract
The ICROFS (International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems) has conducted an analysis of the effects of organic research in Denmark (1996-2010) on the Danish organic sector and on society in general. Over these 15 years, three national programs and one program with European collaboration have been implemented in Denmark, financed via special government grants that amounted to just over 500 million DKK (approx. € 67 million—or approximately $ 80 million). The analysis itself was carried out as a compilation of information from three perspectives, each of which has been independently documented: • Interviews with (representatives of) end-users of results from research and development (R&D) investigating their assessment of the challenges in the sector and solutions developed from 1996-2010 • Assessment of the R&D endeavours in different thematic areas (dairy/milk, pigs, crops, etc.) as they related to end-users and the stated challenges at that time • Documentation of the dissemination of R&D results in relation to themes and challenges in the sector The results showed very good correspondence between end-users’ perceptions of the challenges overcome in the sector, the R&D initiated in the research programmes, and the dissemination of research results and other forms of knowledge transfer. The analysis documented direct effects of the research initiatives targetting the challenges in the sector such as higher yields, weed and pest control, animal health and welfare, the potential for phasing out the use of antibiotics in Danish dairy herds and reducing the problems caused by seedborne diseases. It also describes where research did not contribute as much to overcoming challenges. In contrast, the analysis showed that the effects of the research in the organic processing industry and among relevant governmental and non-governmental organisations were of a more indirect character. Research has helped stabilize the supply and quality of raw materials at a time of growing demand and sales. Organic research also generates new knowledge and leads to new opportunities that can provide inspiration for a green conversion, product diversification and growth also in conventional agriculture. The analysis showed that research under the national research programs overall have been very applied and directed at the barriers in the sector in order to support the general market and growth conditions for the organic sector. Having laid a solid foundation, the private sector has been able to take advantage of commercial opportunities when demand grew, while adhering to the organic policy objectives of the market-driven growth in the organic sector.
Highlights
1.1 The organic Sector in DenmarkSince the mid-1980s organic farming in Denmark has been promoted through political initiatives in order to respond to consumers’ demand for organic products
Vol 4, No 3; 2015 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in 1995 and followed by Action Plan II (Det økologiske Fødevareråd, 1999) in 1999, research in organic farming was given a higher priority than earlier times, which resulted in the development of a national research program and the establishment of the Danish Research Centre for Organic Farming (DARCOF) [ the International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems (ICROFS)] – a ‘centre without walls’ to coordinate these programs as research continued within existing research environments throughout the EU
Overall the results showed that new research knowledge has had a considerable effect both on the advisory services and on farming practices
Summary
1.1 The organic Sector in DenmarkSince the mid-1980s organic farming in Denmark has been promoted through political initiatives in order to respond to consumers’ demand for organic products. While the first program primarily addressed issues related to the primary production (Halberg et al, 2012) the following programs included issues related to industry (including processing), society (including environment and health) and the consumer level (including credibility of the sector) (Halberg et al, 2012) In these programs funds were allocated to coordination, communication and dissemination, as well as to knowledge synthesis, research methodology and to research education (PhDs at universities and research centres involved in the research) (Halberg et al, 2012). The centre was able to establish and maintain close contact to the players in the sector via user groups and extensive meeting and dissemination activities in order to ensure the continued relevance of research efforts and applicability of results
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