The role of biodiversity in the "Italian Technology Platform Organic Farming"

Downstream of a very successful conference on "Knowledge Advancement and Organic Farming", held in Rome in April 2008, a meeting between researchers and stakeholders laid the foundations for an Italian Network for Research in Organic Farming (INROF) [Rete Italiana per la Ricerca in Agricoltura Biologica - RIRAB] and to establish the first six Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) dealing with different topics: biodiversity, energy, plant protection, quality, agricultural techniques, animal breeding. New TWGs were later created, covering topics such as: organic food production, natural resources and territory, social and economical aspects (www.rirab.it). The Groups are coordinated by experts from several research institutes, local authorities, farmers' associations and organic sector representatives.