Organic farming
According to Statute (EU) 2018/848organic production is a comprehensive farm management and food production system that brings together best environmental and climate practices, high levels of biodiversity, conservation of natural resources, and the application of high animal welfare and high production standards that are in line with increasing demand consumers for products manufactured using natural substances and processes. Therefore, organic production plays a dual role in the society, supplying a specific market responding to consumer demand for organic products, and providing publicly available goods that contribute to environmental and animal welfare, as well as to rural development.
When comparing the areas under organic farming, then we are seeing a growth of 20% globally, that is, 11.7 million ha of agricultural area is more under organic farming compared to 2016. The countries with the highest ecological share in total agricultural production are Liechtenstein (37.9%), Samoa (37.6%) and Austria (24%). (link)
Croatia, as part of the organic market, has great potential for the growth and expansion of organic production. As legislation in Croatia is in line with that of the European Union, organic producers have opened the way to the European market. Anyone wishing to engage in organic vegetable farming in Croatia must meet the required conditions, use only the prescribed protective agents and their production must be supervised by the competent control body. If all regulations are fulfilled and a certain time elapses in the organic production regime, the inspection body issues a certificate enabling the manufacturer to affix the "eco product" label to his products. The number of organic farmers is increasing year by year, reaching 4,374 today, which is 2,766 more than in 2013.
Organic agricultural production is encouraged by Measure 11 of the Rural Development Program 2014-2020. Target of Measure 11 is to encourage new farmers to become involved in the eco-production system and those who are part of the system to continue their activities in order to increase the area under organic production. Compared to normal farming practices, the farmer is paid increased costs or lost income, and this is in line with the adoption of prescribed farming practices and methods that go beyond mandatory legislation.
Support can be achieved through two sub-measures:
11.1. Payments for the transition to ecological practices and methods
11.2. Payments for maintaining organic farming practices and methods
Support may be granted for the following crop group:
Arable crops, aromatic and medicinal herbs
Vegetables
Perennial plantations – orchards or vineyards
Permanent grasslands
The agricultural holding must be entered in the Register of agricultural holdings engaged in organic production and under the professional control of a control body authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture at least once a year. (link).
