TIPI Member Assembly of March 14, 2023

The TIPI Member Assembly was held on March 14, 2023, via Zoom, from 1 to 3 PM. It saw the participation of 18 TIPI members, including representatives from various countries and organizations involved in organic agriculture. Brian Baker (Oregon State University, US, TIPI President 2017-2023) facilitated the meeting. Below the key points discussed are listed. 

Report on Activities and Member Survey Results

Brian Baker highlighted TIPI's achievements over the past decade, including organizing Science Days at BioFach and pre-conferences at Organic World Congresses.

Challenges such as reliance on volunteers and lack of member contributions were discussed.

Survey results indicated a preference for TIPI to continue as a sector group within IFOAM, with suggestions for more modest goals and international collaboration.

Future of TIPI

Members brainstormed TIPI’s future, focusing on its mission, membership, activities, funding, and leadership.

Discussions included the importance of farmer-led research, regional relevance of research, and potential collaborations with organizations like ISOFAR.

IFOAM Asia proposal

Feng Li (IFOAM Asia, China Country Director, Co-President of the Young Organics Global Network, YOGN) presented two proposals for TIPI’s participation in upcoming events in China, with costs covered by IFOAM Asia. Members supported prioritizing collaboration with IFOAM Asia and Xichong County.

OWC 2024 pre-conference

Plans to organize a pre-conference at the Organic World Congress 2024 in Tunisia were discussed.

Focus on intellectual property rights and their impact on organic agriculture innovation was suggested.

Raymond Auerbach volunteered to lead the pre-conference planning, supported by Uygun Aksoy, Brian Baker, Tanveer Hossein (Friends In Village Development Bangladesh, IFOAM Organics Asia, TIPI Council Member), Gabi Soto (Asociación Nacional de Agricultura Orgánica, Costa Rica), Reza Rezapanah (Center of Excellence for Organic Agriculture, Iran, TIPI Council Member), and Helga Willer.

Meet the Candidates/Election Procedure

Eight candidates applied for the TIPI Council. All were elected by acclamation.

The next member assembly will be held in Tunisia in conjunction with the Organic World Congress 2024.

Elected TIPI Council Members:

Raymond Auerbach (South Africa Organic Sector Organisation, SAOSO and PGS South Africa, South Africa)

• Mahesh Chander (Indian Veterinary Research Institute, India)
• Eduardo Cuoco (IFOAM - Organics Europe, Belgium, TIPI Council Member)
• Shaik Tanveer Hossein (Friends In Village Development Bangladesh, IFOAM Organics Asia)
• M. Reza Rezapanah (Center of Excellence for Organic Agriculture, Iran)
• Gerold Rahmann (Thünen Institute, Germany)
• Amber Sciligo (Director of Science Programs, The Organic Center, USA)
• Gabi Soto (Asociación Nacional de Agricultura Orgánica, Costa Rica)
• Helga Willer (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Switzerland)

The meeting concluded with thanks to the outgoing council and Brian Baker for his leadership. Members emphasized simplifying procedures and focusing on effective work.

The assembly closed with a consensus on the importance of amending TIPI’s structure and statutes, with Brian Baker and Thomas Cierpka (IFOAM – Organics International, Germany) volunteering to assist. The minutes were finalized in subsequent revisions by Helga Willer, Brian Baker, and Raymond Auerbach.

Author; Helga Willer, FIBL