Agroecology

SUBOTICA - A total of 1,281 farmers in Serbia produced organic products last year - 220 more than in the year before - with 8,228 hectares of land used for that purpose - 1,888 hectares more than in 2012.

By Calliope Patera *

Christoforos Diamantis started farming organically in Marathon, northeast of Athens, in 1985, at a time when there were no agencies for certifying agricultural products, but even then he understood that pesticides and other heavy chemicals had no place in the cultivation of superior crops.

The "Bio-Romania" Association of Organic Agriculture Operators recommends that all farmers should register as organic agriculture operators in 2014 until the deadline, Aug 29, 2014, and submit requests to get financial support that could exceed 600 euros in 2015 for the farmers undergoing a period of conversion.

BELGRADE - Serbia's area under organic farming totaled 8,228 hectares in 2013, which is an increase of 32 percent compared to the year before, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS) data indicate.

BELGRADE - The area under organic farming in Serbia increased by 16 per cent last year compared to 2012, reaching 7,200 hectares, indicate the latest preliminary data released by the association Serbia Organica.

This refers to farms that already gained full organic status and to areas in conversion.