2013 Volume 4 Issue 1 Pages 196-201
About 35 million hectares of agricultural land are managed organically worldwide by 1.4 million producers. Bosnia has a big agro-ecological potential and natural capital for organic production (OP) as traditional small-scale agriculture can be easily converted to organic. Agricultural land covers 50% of the total area. The paper aims at giving an overview of the current situation of the Bosnian organic sector especially potential, animal and crop production, governance, legal framework and market. Some solutions to overcome the main barriers to OP development are discussed. The paper is based on a secondary data review and exploratory semi-structured interviews - dealing mainly with reasons for converting to organic; marketing channels; problems; impacts; access to agricultural extension - conducted in July 2012 with 20 organic producers from Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar, Bihac, etc. Organic area represents less than 1% of the total agricultural area. Plant production - mainly cereals - is more significant than animal production. Wild collection plays an important role. The complex political structure renders organic sector governance difficult. There is no national action plan and no national law on OP was enforced. Only the Republika Srpska entity has a law on OP. Organska Kontrola is the first local certification body. The organic movement is experiencing new dynamics, pushed by farmer and consumer associations and market actors. Organic market is relatively young and small. Supply chains are generally short. Two marketing channels grow slowly: direct selling (on-farm, farm gate, green/farmer markets) and conventional retail. Certified organic products are exported primarily to the European Union. Further organic sector growth is more than likely. OP represents a valid instrument for sustainable natural resources management and rural development. For allowing organic farming to express all its potential domestic market should be developed; legal framework and governance enhanced; and institutional and financial support secured.
