Description/achievement of initiative
Organic Farming in Hungary is one way of achieving success in competitive markets in the EU.
Source: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture
Organic agriculture in Hungary started in the 1980s. In 1983, the Biokultura-Klub was founded in Budapest. Two years later, the export organisation "Natura WG" was established. In December 1987, the Biokultúra Association (Biokultúra Egyesület) was officially registered as an association for organic agriculture, the environment and health. In the first years of Biokultúra?s existence, the development of organic agriculture was slow due to the weak domestic market. The export-oriented organic sector was dominated by big farms, and small farms found it difficult to find markets for their products. Apart from certified organic production, a number of home gardeners were growing organic products for self-sufficiency. After 1995, the number of farms and proportion of organic land increased rapidly due to the improved export potential, and also to the fact that Biokultúra was accredited through the IFOAM Accreditation Programme.
Implementation methodologies
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Coordination mechanisms/governance structure
Partner(s)