Sustainable organic low-input dairying

General introduction

This research project aims to improve the technical performance and economic competitiveness of organic and ‘low input’ dairy systems in Europe. How can their potential to deliver goods and biodiversity be maximized? How to optimize economic, agronomic and nutrition-related benefits with innovative and sustainable organic and low-input dairy systems and supply chains?  The SOLID project aims at the development of new strategies and innovations for organic and low-input dairy systems.

Research approach

The project is characterized by its strongly participative and interdisciplinary approach. The research is divided into six work packages. We detect and develop new innovative strategies and practices by actively involving farmers and stakeholders. We seek and evaluate robust and customized dairy breeds and feed in terms of productivity, quality and animal welfare. We build a knowledge platform based on the sustainability assessment of different kinds of European organic and low-input dairy chains. We identify the wide variety of expectations for innovation in management practices and custom breeds through chain and consumer analysis. We evaluate the competitiveness of new dairy strategies based on socio-economic indicators.

Relevance/Valorisation

This research project directly supports the development of the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU by meeting public demand for a sustainable agriculture industry. The project will improve the sustainability of multi-functional, low-input and organic dairy farming and address the problems related to climate change. The focus on collaboration between supply chain partners and competitiveness partly ensures the market orientation of the project, whereby a reasonable standard of living for dairy farmers should be maintained.