Research strategy for organic food and farming: Flanders 2013-2017

In the Strategic Plan for Organic Agriculture 2013-2017, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Government of Flanders and several other organisations commit to developing and strengthening organic farming as one aspect of making the Flemish agriculture more sustainable.

With the ‘Research strategy for organic food and farming in Flanders: 2013-2014’ the Flemish organic research and knowledge network (the “FORK network”) aims to contribute to making this strategic plan a reality. The research strategy describes areas where research can contribute to the further development of organic agriculture as an example of the agroecological
agricultural model.

The strategy reflects what actors along the (organic) food supply chain think is important and what knowledge needs they have. This will be a starting point for writing research proposals that are driven by sustainability and innovation.

The FORK-network opts for demand-driven research, carried out through a co-creative process, with room for cooperation between different scientific disciplines and expertise, and where the farmers and other actors along the supply chain are also actively involved in planning as well as in implementing the research.