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

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 the strategic plan for organic agriculture in Flanders a reality. In this plan 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. Organic agriculture opts for the development and the implementation of autonomous, self-regulating systems, which operate on the basis of agro-ecological principles and are capable of preserving the proper balance in natural processes with a minimum of inputs. The FORK-network defined 3 general research areas: the creation of robust organic production systems, the development of flexible organic chain systems and the contribution to high quality food. The networks focus on the development of research according to a co-creative process, which looks for synergy between scientists and actors in the field.