Organic Farming Research - Ireland
This document was prepared by John Dardis from the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries (DAFF), compiled in the framework of the ERA-Net Project CORE Organic II.
Contents
Key institutions
In Ireland, various institutions are active in organic farming research; the key institution being Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority in Ireland. It funds and carries out projects on various aspects of organic agriculture such as tillage, suckler, and sheep production systems.
A focus of the Teagasc organic programme is knowledge transfer and dissemination. This work is supported by a grant from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food DAFF (see also section on research programmes). In addition, DAFF funding is granted under the Research Stimulus Fund which is a public good competitive programme.
Other work has been supported in various universities, such as University College Dublin and other institutions (e.g. The Organic Centre) on production and on food.
Links
- Agriculture.gov.ie: Homepage of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food DAFF
- Agriculture.gov.ie: Organic farming information at the website of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF)
- Agriculture.gov.ie: Organic food and farming research at the organic farming pages of DAFF
- TEAGASC.ie: Homepage of TEAGASC
- Agriculture.gov.ie: Organic farming activities at the Teagasc Centres
- Agriculture.gov.ie: Organic farming research at the University College of Dublin
- Agriculture.gov.ie: Organic farming research at The Organic Centre
- Agriculture.gov.ie: Organic farming research at Bord Bia
Government support
There is a political motivation to develop a vibrant and sustainable organic production sector in Ireland that meets the demand at consumer level. In 2008, the government set a target to convert 5 percent of agricultural area to organic farmland by 2012.
Research programmes
The following research programmes currently exist in Ireland (2009):
Programme title | Duration | Total financing (Euro) | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
Research Stimulus Fund* | 01.12.07 to 31.04.11 | €429,000 | Productivity of clover-based grassland under organic management and nitrate losses to ground water |
Teagasc Research Programme 2010 | 01.01.09 to 31.12.11 | €80,817 | Meeting National Targets for Organic Farming in Ireland |
Teagasc Research Programme 2010 | 01.12.07 to 31.12.10 | €384,460 | The development of systems of organic lamb and organic cattle (beef and milk) production. |
Teagasc Research Programme 2010 | 01.02.05 to 31.12.10 | €496,728 | A study of the of breed effects on the production of beef on the organic farm at Johnstown Castle |
*Specific project funded under the research stimulus fund (DAFFs public good competitive research programme)
Key research themes & project lists
The research priorities for initial inclusion as stated in the Organic Farming Action Plan 2008-2012 include:
- Crops that will allow extension of the grazing system;
- Winter feed – maintenance and production elements;
- Variety testing of organic cereals;
- Composting and soil development, especially since phosphate and potash are limited resources and will in turn become increasingly expensive.
Teagasc – the Agriculture and Food Development Authority – is the national body providing integrated research, advisory, and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities. The Teagasc Organic Production Research Conference 2008 presented details of the current research areas in the field of organic agriculture.
Links
Key research needs & priorities
Important research gaps are:
- Crops that will allow extension of the grazing system- winter feed – maintenance and production elements;
- Variety testing of organic cereals;
- Composting and soil development, especially since phosphate and potash are limited resources and will in turn become increasingly expensive.
Priority setting and involvement of end users
Stakeholder consultations are held for public good programmes. With regards to the Teagasc grant aid, the work programme is developed in consultation with the relevant expertise and policy makers in the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries DAFF.
In addition, developments are monitored on the homepage of the Technology Platform TP Organics.
Furthermore, the Organic Farming Action Plan 2008-2012 sets out key areas of research priorities.
Outlook and challenges
The current economic climate has seen significant changes in research conducted at Teagasc, with organic agriculture being one of the areas significantly affected. The aim, however, would be to continue to invest in applied production research.
Addresses
Author
This document was prepared by John Dardis from the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries (DAFF), compiled in the framework of the ERA-Net Project CORE Organic II.
Dr. John Dardis
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food DAFF
Agriculture House, Kildare Street
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel. + 353 1 607 2351
E-mail john.dardis(at)agriculture.gov.ie
Internet www.agriculture.gov.ie