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All-ReadyAgroecology Living Labs & Research InfrastructuresPilot NetworkALL-Ready Pilot network membersÖMKi - On-Farm Living Lab

ÖMKi On-Farm Living Lab

ÖMKi on-farm living lab is an agroecology-focused nationwide participatory experimentation network that includes variety of field trials and technology tests co-designed and co-implemented with farmers with the aim to improve and/or develop new organic/agroecological practices, products and technologies.

 

Aim

Fostering scientific research of organic agriculture and agroecology in Hungary on an international level.

History

2011: Foundation of ÖMKi, the Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Public Benefit Non-profit Ltd.
2012: Launch of on-farm participatory research network
2020: Living Lab certification by ENoLL

Host organization: Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (ÖMKi)

Funding

European and national projects, products/services

Activities

Methods and tools

The Lab combines two processes into one complex system, that finally results in product/service/technology development. The so-called ‘on-farm method’ is an open innovation process in itself, that is used by the ÖMKi Lab to improve agricultural production practices in real-life farm settings (on the farm). The research involves farmers (or other end users) in all of the steps, therefore they become active participants in the co-creation of the research from step 0. The real environment in every case is the actual farm of the producer and the experiments are always adjusted to the farmers’ production or environmental goals.

As the Lab started to develop products, the on-farm method merged with the classical product development stages, thus creating its specific ÖMKi Lab product development process. In this process, the on-farm research is used to define and/or test agricultural product ideas and services and adjust them to a market gap. New product/service testing, development and improvement can also take place as a service of the Living Lab.

Achievements

  • Yearly more than 100 farms took part voluntarily from the country.
  • Introduction of organic bee health management against varroa mite
  • Variety tests and agrotechnical development in winter wheat, soya, potato and wine production.
  • Good information network among the stakeholders of each sector
  • New results and information become integrated into practice, production efficiency increases
  • Opportunity to take part in EU research cooperations (H2020), multi-actor approach

Products/Service available on the market:

  1. ÖMKi Living Interrow: Species rich seed mixture developed for interrows
  2. Landrace Tomato Seedling: Re-introduction of landrace tomatoes as seedling
  3. Organic Landrace Flour (Einkorn, Emmer): Reintroduction of ancient cereals in arable cropping
  4. Advisory service for organic and agroecological farmers

Further information and links

  • ÖMKi On-Farm LL promo video: Youtube Link
  • Tomato Landraces Are Competitive with Commercial Varieties in Terms of Tolerance to Plant Pathogens — A Case Study of Hungarian Gene Bank Accessions on Organic Farms: Publication
  • Re-Introduction of Ancient Wheat Cultivars into Organic Agriculture—Emmer and Einkorn Cultivation Experiences under Marginal Conditions: Publication
  • Comparison of species-rich cover crop mixtures in the Tokaj wine region (Hungary): Publication
  • ÖMKi presentation, held at the 1st pilot network meeting
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