Knowledge sharing site for organic farmers
A new European initiative called OK-Net Arable has been launched to promote knowledge sharing among organic tillage farmers.
Organic tillage production is technically challenging and while farmers are successfully growing a range of tillage crops across the EU, not much of that technical information is shared.
According to the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA) this new web platform has been launched to meet an information deficit in organic tillage production.
Project co-ordinators the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) are working with 17 partners to bring the web-based platform initiative to farmers across Europe.
According to Gillian Westbrook, IOFGA General Manager and Chairperson of the IFOAM Council, farmers can now use the new web platform to find practical organic solutions.
Users will also be able to discuss how certain techniques or solutions work in the field with their geographical and climatic conditions.
Westbrook added: “This should enable us to give feedback on the solutions, improve them, and ultimately increase productivity and quality in organic arable cropping all over Europe.”
Key areas the project concentrates on are soil quality and fertility, nutrient management, pest and disease control, weed management and solutions for specific crops.
Westbrook said: “Not only can we find solutions and engage with each other via this platform, we can also propose solutions. We hope this will help improve exchange of knowledge among farmers.”
OK-Net Arable is funded by Horizon 2020.
