The demand for organic products in Montenegro is high, but this young branch of agriculture is also stifled by problems, such as the lack of support for processing, the fact that certificates for organic products are not valid outside the country's borders, making export impossible, that models are needed for those who want to switch from conventional to organic production, that a better connection between farmers and the HORECA (hotel, restaurant, cafe) sector is needed...
There are currently 571 registered organic producers in the country, mostly engaged in making honey and flour. This type of farmer receives support through several laws, but also through the state Agrobudget (per hectare or head, beak and hive) and from the European Union's IPARD program.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management said that they expect that the recently adopted new Law on Organic Production, which will identify the conditions for the export of these products, adopt a new action plan for organic production from 2025 to 2029, and identify goals for the development of the sector, will provide a boost to organic producers...
This is how the interlocutors of "Vijesti", namely the authorities and those involved in these matters, summarized the current state of this agricultural branch in Montenegro.
Organic production is a system of sustainable agriculture based on ecological principles, such as the rational use of natural resources, renewable energy sources, environmental protection, with a strict ban on the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, restrictions on the use of antibiotics...
Support for species conservation as well
The Ministry of Agriculture said that the total arable land in the certification process last year was 960,56 hectares. They explained that 75 percent of that land, or 717,08 hectares, was in organic production status, while in the transitional period it was 25 percent, or 243,48 hectares.
According to the Organic Production Law, compliance with the requirements for organic production, control and issuance of certificates for products is carried out by a company or control body, which is authorized by the department. They added that these control bodies must have their permission.
"Support for organic producers is provided through national (Agrobudget) and EU funds (IPARD program). Within the Agrobudget for 2024, support for the organic production sector was provided through support for organic production, promotion and marketing of organic products, an additional 10 percent support for organic producers within other public calls, support in the transitional period, preservation of indigenous genetic resources in agriculture, free control and certification services...", the ministry emphasized.
Apart from these, organic production, as they say, also receives support through the Law on Agriculture and Rural Development, on organic production and in accordance with the program for the development of agriculture and rural areas of Montenegro within the framework of IPARD. From the Ministry headed by Vladimir Jokovic They also emphasized that after the adoption of the new Law on Organic Production, the conditions for supporting the sector are also met through measures 4 of the IPARD III program, the accreditation of which is in progress, and that all support measures are defined through these regulations, so all organic producers registered in the Register of Agricultural Farms and Organic Production Entities are entitled to them.
When it comes to plans to encourage exports and develop this sector, they explained that Montenegro, as a candidate country for membership in the European Union, has undertaken the obligation to harmonize its legislation in the field of organic production with the new EU regulation.
"EU Regulation 2018/848 entered into force in the EU on 1 January 2022 and introduced many changes, including rules on strengthening the control system. The adoption of the new Law on Organic Agriculture provides the basis for the sustainable development of organic production, while ensuring the efficient functioning of the organic product market and fair competition. In addition, it will create conditions for increasing domestic production, greater trust and protection of consumer interests, encouraging short distribution channels, but also influencing other processes that are important for the environment. The new Law on Organic Production recognizes the conditions for the export of organic products, in addition to the above, the adoption of the new Action Plan for Organic Production 2025 - 2029 recognizes the goals for the future development of the organic sector," the Ministry emphasized.
They added that in order to include everyone in the process of passing the law, they have organized workshops and public hearings, as well as various measures to support young people and producers who are applying for organic production for the first time, i.e. entering the transition period.
Price limits the market
The founder of the Seljak.me platform told "Vijesti" that farmers should first be provided with basic infrastructure needs, create a development strategy, provide logistical assistance in creating associations, an action plan, and jointly use available funds. Marko Maras. This platform serves as support for farmers, and they publish ads on the site for the sale of livestock, animal and human food, hay, fertilizers, seeds and seedlings...
Maraš also stated that it is important to create support models for producers who want to switch from conventional to organic production, and added that any destruction of natural resources moves away from organic production.
"The potential is huge, and the obstacles are great. Organic production is more expensive than conventional production and therefore the end product is significantly more expensive, which limits the market. First of all, there needs to be a strategy for the development of organic agriculture, support models for the transition period to organic production. There are a large number of producers who would switch to organic production or start, but there needs to be a strategy and infrastructure for this type of production. We have organized education and training, but we are focusing on creating services for producers in the future. With all due respect to many organizations, but I believe that farmers need more services that can improve their daily functioning more than just education and organizing workshops," said Maraš.
Asked about the support they provide to organic farmers, he explained that the certification process is free of charge, and that they provide certain suggestions and refer producers to appropriate addresses. Maraš believes that it is devastating that the domestic organic certificate is not valid outside the borders of Montenegro, which is why he believes that some producers are not motivated for the organic sector, but he is glad that there are announcements that the certificates will be improved and adapted to EU standards in the coming period.
Cooperation among farmers, as Maraš claims, exists, but it must also be raised to a higher level. He emphasized that initiatives must be initiated by producers, who, after initial interest, should be provided with logistical support for better group action, because networking cannot function without further steps of joint action. He also believes that this cooperation can be at a significantly higher level.
"Demand exists, but it is necessary to work on improving cooperation between producers and the HORECA (hotel, restaurant, cafe) sector. Due to specific characteristics, limited production areas, fragmented land, and great tourism potential, Montenegro is proposed by the EU to focus on the organic type of production and product protection. The EU sees Montenegro as a potential organic producer with quality natural resources for this type of production. The combination of this type of production and tourism can provide great benefits. It can also be increased by branding traditional products that would be organically produced. This is the only way we can improve organic production in a quality way and make it economically profitable for producers," said Maraš.
He emphasized that organic agriculture in plant production refers to crop rotation, the use of compost and natural fertilizers, biological insect control and the prohibition of the use and strict limitation of the use of synthetic fertilizers, growth regulators and pesticides, while in livestock farming, organic production refers to the limitation of the use of antibiotics and implies an organic diet.
They don't need new markets.
One of the organic producers from Pljevlja Zeljko Macanovic, who processes flour in the town of Glibaći through the cultivation of cereals, namely buckwheat, spelt, rye, barley and oats, told "Vijesti" that the demand for flour is high, and that given that Montenegro is import-dependent, there is no need to look for new markets.
He believes that it is much better and more beneficial for domestic products to be found on domestic tables, as well as for tourists to be able to enjoy these products through tourism. He added that he lives in a mountain village, that his family has always been involved in agriculture, and that he has only continued the tradition...
"In fact, my ancestors were engaged in traditional agricultural production, which we now call organic, using a more modern term. It used to be considered good agricultural practice (of course, it still exists), but now we need to substantiate it with certain paperwork, which we farmers don't really like, but in order to certify our products we have to fulfill the prescribed procedures. The agricultural budget defines support for agricultural production in all sectors, including organic. Given that our villages are becoming increasingly empty and that there are fewer and fewer farmers every day, it would be concluded that even this state support is not enough. In some sectors, there is defined support for processing, such as milk processing on farms. In organic production, there is no support for processing, which is why we have a small number of registered processors of organic products. The problem of exempting farmers from paying excise duty on fuel, which greatly increases the cost of our production, is still not resolved," believes Macanović.
Asked about expanding production, Macanović stressed that he had created all the prerequisites for this himself and that the rest depended on the state. He mentioned that in all state strategies, fragmented farms are cited as a problem, while in the Agrobudget the measure for direct payments in crop production is restrictive, and he also raised the issue of the fact that, as he claims, there are multiple registrations.
Macanović emphasized that large companies, civil servants and farmers are also registered, and that those whose main occupation is agriculture pay taxes and contributions themselves. It is precisely because of this limited support that, as he says, their expansion of production is limited. He emphasized that until these restrictions are changed, he will not expand his business either, as he has reached the maximum with 33 hectares.
The law has been given the green light
In mid-December, the Parliament adopted the Law on Organic Production, which, according to the Ministry, provides the basis for the sustainable development of the sector, more efficient functioning of the market, and fair competition.
They said that the regulation would create conditions for increasing domestic production, greater trust and protection of consumer interests, encourage short distribution channels, solve problems with imports and exports, and conduct controls and certifications, as well as inspections, which were not currently sufficiently regulated by law.
"Considering that the European Commission adopted the Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production in 2021, with the ambitious goal of reaching 2030 percent of the share of organic production in total arable land by 25, as well as the fact that since the adoption of the previous law on organic production in 2013, no amendments have been made to it to date, it is completely clear why the Ministry has set the adoption of the new law as its priority task," the explanatory memorandum to the draft law states.
The department said that with this law, Montenegro is one step closer to closing negotiation chapter 11 - Agriculture and Rural Development.
There are currently 571 registered organic producers in the country, mostly engaged in making honey and flour. This type of farmer receives support through several laws, but also through the state Agrobudget (per hectare or head, beak and hive) and from the European Union's IPARD program.
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