Organic Production Systems for Global Food Security

Enlarged view: ZOMM field trial — Field experiment (India) for ZOMM research project

The Mercator Research Program on Organic Production Systems, funded by the Mercator Foundation Switzerland, supports research, education, and outreach that explores the role and potential of organic production systems (certified or non-certified) to contribute to global food security.

The program supported doctoral research projects supervised by WFSC members, in collaboration with partners from different disciplines. The ten-year program supported a total of 14 doctoral research projects (16 students) since 2012, with 3.7 million Swiss Francs distributed.

Funded Projects

Biological control of soilborne insect pests using combinations of pseudomonads, nematodes, and fungi

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Soldier Fly larvae reared on various substrates as novel protein source: Utility and constraints of use in the nutrition of organic laying hens and broilers

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Nitrified Urine as Fertilizer: A trans-disciplinary approach to solutions-oriented community development

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Improving disease resistance of pea through selection at the plant-soil interface

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Towards nutritional security through organic management of soil fertility in orange-fleshed sweet potato systems

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Extensive grazing on subalpine pastures: Integrating biodiversity and the production of meat with special quality

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A comprehensive examination of nitrogen cycling and microbial communities within soil microenvironments in integrated organic farming systems in Switzerland

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Zinc biofortification of wheat through organic matter management in sustainable agriculture

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Greenhouse gas emissions of dairy production systems based on longevity and zero-concentrate strategy as compared to conventional systems

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Managing trade-offs in coffee agroforests

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