The support of implementation of organic farming in the Slovak Republic in the context of sustainable development

Abstract

Organic farming is a perspective way of farming which has a positive impact on the environment while addressing various economic and social aspects, contributing to the sustainable development of the rural areas as well as to the protection of all components of the environment. Organic farming has been existing in Slovakia since 1991. More significant increase is evident from the accession into the EU when Slovakia adopted the commitment to increase the acreage of agricultural land for the implementation of organic farming. At the same time it was possible to draw farmers´ subsidies for the establishment and functioning of organic production. This factor played an essential role in 2004 and between 2008–2009 when the most significant impact on the development of active farmers was evident. At the present (2013) there are 355 organic farmers in Slovakia, out of this amount 11 belong to the process of conversion. There is the highest share of organic farmers in Prešov region (24.42%) and Košice region (17.44%). The lowest amount of organic farms is evident in Bratislava (3.78%) and Trnava (5.81%) regions. From the focus of agricultural production point of view the animal organic production prevails the plant production. The main motivation behind the farmers ‘decision to change the conventional to organic production is still a financial incentive to compensate the loss of the income from reduced production and additional costs related to the implementation of organic farming. The motivating factor would definitely be the farmers´ support from the part of the state in the forms of enhancement of the sales of organic products, improved counseling system and promotion.