Ecological dairy farms in Hungary

Tóth, Katalin – Borbély, Csaba – Szente, Viktória

Ecological farming especially in crop production developed dynamically in the last decade. Ecological animal keeping and production of animal commodities began as late as in 2000, due to a lack of foreign and belated home demand. This study attempts to describe the production of eco-milk in Hungary on the basis of surveying 12 ecological dairy farms. Of these the smallest farm kept a single controlled cow and the largest 378 lactating animals at the time of study. In addition to general difficulties associated with eco-production, the producers listed government requirements for production, consumer behaviour and a lack of institutionalised help as problems. Despite all the problems most farmers judged the future of eco-farming and their own farms optimistically.

In general available information about ecological farming is not sufficient and this could hinder further developments. This is why the dissemination of relevant information is essential, describing both the prospects and problems in eco-farming. Appropriate information, training programmes and expert advice will enhance producers’ willingness to participate and reduce the sensation of uncertainty.

Consumers will have to be informed in greater detail than up till now about the authenticity of eco-products, their quality and their of role in health. The output of bio-produced fodder is less than that produced conventionally and this increases production costs. Because of their good quality and relatively high price producers market acinaceous products for human consumption rather than feed them to animals. Problematic transportation and relatively great distances may hamper the acquisition of fodder in large quantities.

The survey showed that 42% of farmers intended to expand their eco-production despite the problems and difficulties mentioned earlier.

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