The jubilee 20th Biofest, an international festival dedicated to the promotion of organic agriculture and connecting producers and consumers, was opened in Subotica. This manifestation is held under the slogan “The importance of sustainable (organic) agriculture from the aspect of climate change and green economy”, and an expert panel on this topic was also organized during the festival. About fifteen exhibitors, mostly from Vojvodina, are exhibiting at the Biofest, and there are also representatives of the Women’s Association from Vrnjačka Banja.
According to Snježana Mitrović, head of the Festival Organizing Committee and “Teras” Association, the number of areas under organic production in Serbia is increasing. In the period from 2020 to 2023, the areas increased from 20,000 to 29,000 hectares, of which 9,000 hectares are currently in Vojvodina. Although there was a decline in organic production between 2020 and 2021, there was a recovery and an increase of 500 hectares.
However, Mitrović emphasizes that this is still insufficient, since there are around 600 operators in Serbia. Most producers of organic food are export-oriented, whereby 90% of the products are exported to the European Union, while 10% are placed on the domestic market. Although this is a positive trend, the problem is the lack of government subsidies for organic crop and livestock production, which are normally 40% higher than subsidies in conventional agriculture.
For organic producers, Biofest is an excellent opportunity for promotion
Over the course of two decades, Biofest managed to develop environmental awareness, especially among younger generations. The organizers of the festival plan to focus more on connecting producers and consumers through modern communication channels, such as social networks. Thus, they would attract the younger population between 20 and 40 years old.
Lectures on healthy eating were organized during the event. Special focus is placed on grains that are rarely used, such as millet, as well as visits to organic farms. A film about a day spent on an organic farm, in which high school students participated, was also shown.
Prominent producers were also awarded at the Biofest. Karolj Fekete from Novi Kneževac produces rosehip on 50 hectares and exports it. On the other hand, Tatjana Avramov from Bečej with the company “Ril red” makes organic raspberry spread, which was awarded at the fair in Brussels. Avramov points out that the consumption of organic products in Serbia is on the rise. However, the interlocutor, it is insufficient for developing an organic brand, which is why most producers tend to export.
Source: Politics
Photo: Dejan Malagurski, Instagram:
Source: boljazemlja.com
