Food systems

Long-term agricultural system comparison in the tropics

Brief description of the project

The project “Long-term agricultural system comparison in the tropics” (SysCom) of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) aims to create a scientific basis for the discussion on the performance and potential of conventional and organic agricultural production systems in the tropics. Since 2007, long-term field trials have been conducted in three tropical countries – Bolivia, India and Kenya – to compare farming systems, accompanied by participatory on-farm research focusing on a different farming system in each country.

Direct target groups of the programme include people from rural households, associations, umbrella organizations of farmers and producers, vegetable growing groups, family businesses, institutions and civil society organizations as well as small rural entrepreneurs, women, young people and representatives of local authorities and communities.

Project goals

• Scientifically sound knowledge on the comparative performance of organic and conventional agricultural production systems in different agroecological regions in the tropics will be made available and taken up by the participants.
• Conversion barriers for local farming systems are addressed through organic and agroecological research