Organic farming

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.

As part of the Greek capital's uphill battle with urban waste management, the City of Athens on Tuesday announced that it will be distributing 2,000 composting bins to as many households in the metropolitan area by 2015 in order to encourage homes to recycle their organic waste.

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 - A festival of organic production will be held in Belgrade on July 12-13 under the slogan “Buy organic food- be friendly to yourself and your environment”.

The festival of organic production will take place at a market in New Belgrade. It will be organized by Serbia Organica, with the backing of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

BELGRADE - The first results of soil tests show that it will be possible to grow field crops in the areas affected by the recent severe floods, but as for vegetables the situation is still uncertain, Head of the Plant Protection Directorate Ferenc Bagi said on Wednesday.

Organic farming, sustainable development of the mountain area and its attractiveness, and support for the small farmers were the main topics discussed on the meeting that Prince Charles had on Saturday with MEP Daciana Sarbu, recently elected for another term as a member of the European Parliament.

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.

The Bulgarian Greens party (Zelenite) has cautioned that the government is about to stifle organic farming by depriving the segment of subsidies for 2014.

The party issued Wednesday an official declaration, vowing to fight the damaging steps through