25 EXHIBITORS AT 6TH SRPSKA ORGANIC FEST

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 18 /SRNA/ - The Srpska Organic Fest has opened in Banja Luka, bringing together 25 exhibitors from Republika Srpska and the region presenting products such as cheese, pasta, juices, honey, cosmetics and other products made through organic production.

The festival was opened by Republika Srpska Assistant Minister of Agriculture Goran Bursać, who said that five years ago there were only 19 producers engaged in organic farming, while today there are 135, noting that Republika Srpska has the necessary conditions for its development.

"Organic production is not a trend, but is becoming a way of life and a way in which we are trying to ensure healthy food," Bursać said.

He said that incentives for this type of production range from BAM 600 to BAM 700, as well as BAM 300 for every 100 square meters of enclosed space.

Dragana Zec, Head of the Organic Production Department at the relevant ministry, said that around 4,000 hectares in Republika Srpska are under organic production and that there are 135 producers in the system, more than 50 of them engaged in livestock production.

"We have around seven exporters, and the products most commonly exported are wild berries, medicinal herbs and mushrooms, as well as some cosmetic products and processed juices and jams," Zec said.

President of the National Association of Organic Producers Milovan Matić said that organic production has been growing year after year and that the plan is to have more producers every year.

He believes that organic products will become increasingly recognized on the market.

The Srpska Organic Fest is organized by the Republika Srpska Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and the Republika Srpska Chamber of Commerce.