Organic agriculture

NIBIO contributes with research-based knowledge to the development of organic agriculture. NIBIO expands its knowledge in specific disciplines within the field of agronomy, animal nutrition, and economics, and on a more integrated level, by studying production systems and environmental effects.

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Photo: Randi B. Frøseth
Definition of organic agriculture

"Organic Agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic Agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved."

IFOAM 2005

Organic agriculture is a regulated farming system built on principles and ethical guidelines established by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).

In Norway, organic agriculture is regulated through the Regulations on organic production and labeling of organic agricultural products and foodstuffs (Økologiforskriften). The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has overarching responsibility for regulations relating to the production, processing, storage, import, and sale of organic agricultural products, and has delegated the responsibility for supervision to Debio.

Organic agricultural production is part of the EEA agreement, which means that the EU's organic production regulations are included in the Norwegian Økologiforskriften, alongside any additional Norwegian provisions. 

The need for knowledge

Organic farming methods are developing continuously as our knowledge increases. NIBIO has found that there is a need for more knowledge in order to solve everything from highly specific bottlenecks in individual productions, to how to develop sustainable value chains. For example:

  • How can we base livestock production more heavily on the natural local and regional resources?
  • How can we maintain a good supply of plant nutrients without using conventional manure?
  • How can we ensure good cooperation between producers and sellers?
  • How can we produce a stable and sufficient volume of high-quality vegetable foodstuffs?
  • How can we ensure good plant health?

This means that there is a need for interdisciplinary projects encompassing agronomy, the environment, energy, economics, and social factors.

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Publications

Projects

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Monitoring and control of marine pool ecosystem: a step toward organic farming. Part I and II

Cod mariculture is a new and fast growing aquaculture activity in Norway. For a sustainable development of any aquaculture of fish, it is extremely important to have a mass rearing juvenile of high quality. Established in 1987 in Lofoten Island, Lofilab AS aims to develop a cost-effective and integrated production of cod juvenile by using a natural pool system in the production of algae and zooplankton as first feed. Lofilab AS runs also its own production of rotifers in land-based production facilities to buffer natural changes affecting the zooplankton production in the pool. Lofilab AS reaches now a level of production where it becomes necessary to develop new tools to be able to increase the production in a sustainable way. Therefore Lofilab AS wishes to collaborate closely with Bioforsk to build up knowledge towards the development of organic or more environmentally friendly fish farming.

Finished Updated: 20.10.2025
End: dec 2010
Start: jan 2009
Bilde1

Division of Survey and Statistics

Farmers and the city: enhancing added value and sustainability through optimized use of urban and peri-urban farm resources (URBANFARMS)


The project aims at elaborating effective strategies for professional farmers in cities and peri-urban areas to make use of the vicinity of the city to increase added value from their production in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable way. The project shall identify land resources that are not in optimal use, and demonstrate business models that increase the use of local nutrients and of the nearby city's market and purchasing power.

Finished Updated: 20.10.2025
End: jul 2023
Start: apr 2019