A group of agricultural training centres in Madagascar have as part of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Madagascar initiative joined to provide different kinds of training related to organic agriculture. The training centres are: CHAMP-ECOLE, TAOEZAKA, ZOMA and TAF – agro-eco-tourist centre.

SRI promotes the spread of the System of Rice Intensification in Madagascar. It is structured around several simple techniques: early replanting of rice seedlings, replanting on a grid and partial drying of rice paddies. SRI is entirely organic.

The movement's mission statement consists in proactively providing the Caribbean Organic Movement with a unified interface between agriculture and industry, in pursuit of the adoption of ecologically, socially and economically sound systems, which are based on the principles  of organic agriculture, while effectively contributing to sustainable regional and national development in the Caribbean.

Country: Costa Rica

Geographical coverage: Regional

Research Centres: Economics, Markets, Trade, Humid and Sub-Humid Agro-Ecosystem, Seeds and Breeds

Resource Concentrations: Agroforestry, Comparative Studies, Livestock, Pastures, Pest/Disease Management

Type of Institution: organic research

CATIE is a joint endeavour between the Inter-American Institute for Agricultural Sciences and the Costa Rican Government.  Its mission is to contribute to rural poverty reduction by promoting competitive and sustainable agriculture and natural resource management through higher education, research and technical cooperation.  CAITE has more than 70 research and development project that fit into the following thematic groups: Cacao; Livestock and Environmental Management; Musa; Plant Genetic Resources; Center for Competiveness of Eco-enterprises; Agroecology; Coffee; Forests, Protected Areas and Biodiversity; Global Change; Watershed; and Socio-economics of Environmental Goods and services.

CATIE has an agroecological thematic group that works on research in organic agricultural systems. research areas are: Comparative trials of systems, biological pest control, soil quality, organic fertilizers and biodiversity. 

The work in organic production is not limited to research, but also to promotion and training, as well as an active participation in national and international organic movements to promote projects and enterprises that promote this type of activity with the other actors within the sector. 
 

MAB Programme aims to examine human impacts on a specific ecosystem.  The Programme has established 553 biosphere reserves in 107 countries; of these, over 40 percent are located in mountain regions.  These reserves in mountain areas serve as focal points for conservation, research, and development. 

The National Agroforestry Center is administered by the US Forest Service.  It works in a research, technology development, coordination and training capacity.  The Center does not currently have any projects on organic agroforestry.  Recent research has focused on the use of buffers to improve air and water quality, the importance of tree-based buffers under climate-change scenarios, the advancement of statistical analyses of agroforestry systems and landscape and conservation planning and design. 

The University of Agriculture, Abeokuta aims to promote agricultural education and services for agricultural development and attainment of self-sufficiency in food and fibre. The University has established a Working Group on organic agriculture that undertakes research and capacity building in organic agriculture. Current research projects study the effects of compost and soil fertility-building schemes, as well as the effect of crop rotation schemes on the severity of pests and diseases. Information about these research endeavours is not currently available on the University webpage

Dipartimento di Scienze Agronomiche e gestione del Territorio (DISAT) has since 1991 made comparative studies of organic and conventional agricultural systems in the Montepaldi experimental farm

The Small Farm Program develops field and marketing research relevant to small- and moderate-scale farmers and then works to disseminate the information.  It is not focused exclusively on organics, but conducts much work in the area.  The Program has written several publications of interest to organic researchers, farmers and policy makers that are available on the website.  These include research briefs on developing agricultural tourism; a guide called Postharvest Handling of Organic Crops; and a comprehensive seven-publication set on organic vegetable production. 

UF-CTA’s mission is to conduct research to improve the sustainability of agricultural productivity and natural resource management; to protect and restore natural ecosystems threatened by agricultural activities to prevent loss of biodiversity; and to improve the quality of life for people living in humid tropical and subtropical regions.  Research at UF-CTA includes work on invasive species, the conservation of genetic resources and biodiversity, the effects of climate change, sustainability of tropical agriculture, food security and nutrition, and food technology and safety.