OKOLOGIAI MEZOGAZDASAGI KUTATOINTEZET KOZHASZNU NONPROFIT KFT

Their core work

OMKI (Research Institute for Organic Agriculture) is Hungary's dedicated organic farming research centre, conducting applied research on sustainable crop production, organic seed systems, and agroecological practices. They work directly with farmers and food chain actors to develop practical solutions for organic and diversified agriculture — from soil-plant interactions and nutrient efficiency to short food supply chains and circular bio-based business models. Their work bridges agronomy, participatory research, and food systems innovation, translating field-level science into actionable knowledge for the organic sector across Europe.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2018), OMKI focused on foundational agronomic science — soil-root interactions, microbiome research, nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency, genomic selection, and crop simulation modelling through projects like SolACE and DIVERSIFOOD. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward food systems, value chains, and circular economy applications — projects like CO-FRESH, DIVINFOOD, and GO-GRASS emphasise business models, short food chains, consumer behaviour, and sustainability at the system level rather than the field level. This evolution reflects a move from "how do crops grow better" to "how does the whole organic food system work better for farmers, businesses, and consumers."

OMKI is moving from pure agronomic research toward food system design, short supply chains, and circular bio-economy — making them increasingly relevant for agri-food business innovation projects, not just farming science.

How they like to work

OMKI operates exclusively as a consortium partner — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, instead contributing specialist organic agriculture expertise to larger multi-partner initiatives. With 262 unique partners across 31 countries, they are exceptionally well-networked for an SME-sized research centre, suggesting they are a trusted and sought-after partner in organic agriculture consortia. Their consistent participation across 12 projects (mostly RIA and CSA) indicates reliability and a reputation that keeps them invited back into new proposals.

OMKI has built a remarkably broad European network of 262 unique consortium partners spanning 31 countries — unusually wide for a small research institute. Their network is heavily centred on Western and Central European organic agriculture research communities, with connections reaching across nearly all EU member states.

What sets them apart

OMKI is one of very few dedicated organic agriculture research institutes in Central and Eastern Europe with deep H2020 experience, making them a natural bridge for consortia needing organic farming expertise from the CEE region. Their dual capability — hard agronomic science (soil, genetics, nutrient cycling) combined with food system and value chain work — is unusual for an institute of their size. For consortium builders, they offer a rare combination: an SME-classified research centre with the network reach of a much larger institution and practical farmer-facing research credibility.

Highlights from their portfolio

• DIVINFOOD
  Their largest grant (EUR 384,000) and most recent project, focused on co-constructing short food chains for healthy diets — represents their current strategic direction.
• SolACE
  Their second-largest grant (EUR 260,000) and most scientifically detailed project, covering rhizosphere biology, genomic selection, and crop modelling — showcases their deep agronomic research capacity.
• ALL-Ready
  Preparation phase for a European Agroecology Living Lab network — positions OMKI at the heart of future EU agroecology research infrastructure.