Agricultural Institute of Slovenia - Kmetijski institut Slovenije

AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE OF SLOVENIA

Kmetijski institut Slovenije
Hacquetova 17
p.p. 2553
SI-1001 Ljubljana
Slovenia

Tel. + 386 1 437 53 75
Fax + 386 1 437 54 13

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The Agricultural Institute of Slovenia is the oldest research institution in Slovenia. It was founded in 1898 and in this one hundred year period, during which six countries in succession have ruled over the area of its operation, its name has changed a number of times. At all times its operations have included research, professional and development - promotional work. Since 1996 its nominal founder has been the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.

In 1998 the Institute employs 129 people, of whom 55 are researchers. Due to the comparatively small territory and economy of Slovenia, the Institute covers all agricultural fields, from farming to agricultural economics. The majority of the researchers are agronomists and chemists, but their ranks also include mechanical engineers, economists, geographers, biologists, veterinarians and others.

Internal organisation is set up in departments as follows:

Crop and seed production department,

Animal husbandry department,

Fruit and vine ptoduction department,

Plant protection department,

Department of agricultural engineering,

Agricultural economics department,

Central laboratory (agrochemical and oenological laboratory).

For field work and performing experiments we have test fields and experimental stations in the immediate vicinity of Ljubljana. The practical elements of all research, professional and development work are performed at these locations. The Institute has a long tradition in the field of selective breeding and as a result produces 15 of its own varieties of potato, 13 varieties of grass and clover, 4 varieties of bean, 2 varieties of cabbage and others. Special attention is devoted to indigenous genetic sources.

The Institute receives its funding from three sources. The first source is the Ministry of Science and Technology, which finances the operational costs and the selection of basic and applied research projects through public tenders. The result of this work can be seen in post-graduate researchers and new know-how which provides support for the professional and development - consultancy work.

The second source is the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food which co-finances important research projects and expert assignments which proceed from laws and regulations. These include the control of production and animal breeding, the introduction and breeding of field crops, vegetables, fruit plants and grapevines, the variety registration service, monitoring and diagnosing of harmful organisms, assessing pesticide residues in soil and plants, annual reports on the state of agriculture (the “Green Report”) and other tasks.

The third source is the sale of goods and services to immediate users. These include grass and clover seed, seed potatoes, the seeds of various legumes, analyses and studies on a contract basis with companies, municipalities and business associations, analyses of soil and fertilisers, fodder and foodstuffs, wine and distilled spirits and other agricultural products and reproductive materials for agriculture.

The Institute is associated with related institutes and institutions at home and abroad. This co-operation takes the form of joint projects, exchange of data and publications, professional training of personnel, reciprocal undertaking of small-scale analyses, joint participation on various committees and similar tasks.