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Organic Agriculture in Estonia 2001Merit Mikk3 Statistical Development of Organic Farming 7 Standards and Certification, State Regulations 8 Implementation of EU Regulation 2092/91 9 State Support, Policy Initiatives 10 Implementation of Agenda 2000
1 General Information on the Situation of Agriculture in EstoniaIn Estonia the percentage of land used for agriculture is rather small. In 2000 the total agricultural area was 1,433,100 hectares. Arable land and grassland amounted to 1,134,600 hectares (25% of the total area). Additional 298,700 hectares are extensive natural grasslands. The agricultural sector is not faring well. Salaries are only a little bit more than half of the Estonian average; prices are unstable and sometimes below the production costs. This situation and the still ongoing land privatisation process are the main reasons why about 24% of the arable land and grassland have been abandoned. The present agricultural situation provides clear opportunities for developing the organic sector.
2 History and Development of Organic Agriculture in EstoniaThe organised organic farming movement in Estonia started with the establishment of the "Estonian Bio-dynamic Association" (EBA) in 1989. At the beginning of the 1990s, EBA organised several training courses in co-operation with Finnish, Swedish and German bio-dynamic and organic farming organisations. Several farmers received three to six months of practical training in the three afore-mentioned countries. Several local producer organisations were established (e.g. in the counties of Võru, Saare and Lääne). The foreign experts helped advise and inspect the farms. During the mid-1990s, development slowed and so did the training activities. The next growth period started in 1997 / 1998. In 1997 the " Organic Farming Act" came into force, and in 1998 the state label "Mahemärk" was introduced in compliance with this act. The organic sector has developed rather rapidly since the beginning of 1999. In May 2001 the new "Organic Farming Act" came into force. This act is in compliance with EU legislation. 3 Statistical Development of Organic FarmingIn 1999 there were 89 organic farms or farms in conversion, two processors and one catering company which were certified according to the state label requirements (the "Mahemärk" label; see "Standards and Certification…" below). An additional 25 farms (with 600 ha of agricultural land) were certified according to the standards of the Estonian Bio-dynamic Association ("Öko" label). In total there were around 4000 hectares of certified (incl. in conversion) agricultural land in 1999 (0.4% of the agricultural land in production). In the year 2000 (per 31.12.2000) there were 231 farmers (incl. in conversion) with 9 872 hectares certified according to the state labe requirements (label "Mahemärk"). In 2001 the area under organic management rised two times, being around 20 000 ha (estimated, including land in conversion). The rapid rise is mainly due to the intensive promotional work in 1999-2001 as well as to growing state interest in developing organic farming (including area support for organic farming from 2000 onwards and support for farmers training in 2000 and 2001). Most of the farms are concentrated in regions with extensive agriculture, although in 2000 and 2001 several farms and agricultural enterprises in intensive regions are also in conversion. To work out the percentage of all farms and acreage is difficult because officially there are 1,433,100 hectares of agricultural land and 1,134,600 hecatares of arable land but from the last figure 24% is abandoned. There are no data how much of the extensive natural grassland is abandoned but it is for sure more than the percentage of arable land. In total it is estimated that around 1 million hectares of agricultural land is in use. Table: Organic Farming in Estonia 1999/2000
4 Organic Agriculture OrganisationsOrganic Producer OrganisationsThere are several organic producer organisations.
There are also local producer organisations in the counties of Lääne, Saare and Viljandi. Centre for Ecological Engineering (CEET)CEET was established in 1992. Since 1994 the development of organic farming has been one of the main activity fields. The other fields of activities include agri-environment, natural wastewater treatment, ecological building and landscape planning. CEET is initiating the projects in organic farming, organising training of farmers and advisors, publishing the information materials and implementing applied research projects. Several projects are realised in co-operation with foreign partners. Estonian Organic Farming Foundation (EOFF)The Estonian Organic Farming Foundation was established in 2000. The main aim of the organization is to promote organic agriculture in Estonia. The Estonian Organic Farming Foundation is
Although the organization is new, it is established by the people having long time experience with organic agriculture development in Estonia. They have been involved in numerous training, information and applied research projects since 1993. The Estonian Organic Farming Foundation is taking over part of the activities of Centre for Ecological Engineering. EOFF has also Council which is supervising and planning the activities of the EOFF. Present projects include preparation of organic farming handbook and several training projects.
5 Regional Distribution of Organic FarmsMost of the organic farms and farms in conversion are mainly concentrated to the South-East Estonia, islands and West Estonia. These areas have traditionally had extensive agriculture due to natural conditions, and therefore the conversion to organic farming is relatively easy there. Another factor is that there are strong leaders who promote organic farming at the regional level. During the last years the number of organic farms has raised also in some counties with relatively intensive agriculture (e.g. Tartu, Viljandi).
6 Land Use, Animal HusbandryMost of the organic farms are mixed farms, but some farms specialise in grain, vegetables, herb and berry production or beekeeping. Few farms specialise in the seed production of grains and legumes. The most common animals on organic farms are cowsand sheep.
7 Standards and Certification, State Regulations
This systemwas changed in the year 2001, and the new system conforms with EU requirements. The new system is state control system. Producers are certified by the Estonian Plant Inspectorate and Estonian Veterinary and Food Inspectorate.
8 Implementation of EU Regulation 2092/91
The present Organic Farming Act (passed in 2001) and related regulations are based to EU Regulation 2092/91 (including Regulation 1804/99).
9 State Support, Policy InitiativesState interest in organic farming has increased rapidly since 1999. Environmental Bureau who is mainly responsible for organic farming and agri-environment was established in the Ministry of Agriculture in 2000. Several means of support have been generated for the year 2000 (e.g. co-financing training projects and publisations). Starting in the year 2000, the state supports organic farmers by paying hectare subsidies both for agricultural land in conversion and for organic agricultural land. The payment rate is the same for land in conversion and for organic land but differs according to the crops grown. However, higher subsidies for the conversion period is currently under discussion.
10 Implementation of Agenda 2000The Estonian Agri-environmental Programme, which will correspond to the requirements of the new rural development regulation (EU Regulation 1257/99), is in preparation. Since 2001 it is piloted in two areas, one in extensively-farmed and another one in intesively-farmed agricultural region. Agri-environmental programme includes organic farming as one of its measures. 11 MarketingThe marketing of organic products is rather poorly developed. Several new initiatives will soon be launched, but consumers still have difficulties finding any organic products in the shops. The most common marketing channels are direct sales from the farms, and supplying hospitals, schools, kindergartens and local shops. Very few farms sell processed products. Here there is great potential for development. In addition, a relatively high proportion of the organic products are not sold as organic (e.g. large dairies do not package and market organic milk separately), or they are sold without an organic label (even when the farm is certified and has the right to use a label). The Estonian Organic Producers Union, established in 2000, aims to offer marketing possibilities. At the end of 1999, the Ministry of Agriculture commissioned a consumer survey. The survey showed clear interest in buying organic products and a willingness to pay a price premium of around 10%. However, the present supply and range of products do not meet consumer needs.
12 TrainingTraining of farmers has been organised by the two producer organisations. (Estonian Bio-dynamic Association and Kagu-Eesti Bios), Centre for Ecological Engineering, Estonian Organic Farming Foundation and Räpina Training Union. Some of the training projects have been in co-operation with foreign partners (e.g. Denmark). In 1999, 2000 and 2001 several training activities were supported by the Ministry of Agriculture. Over the years, several agricultural schools have introduced basic principles of organic farming to their curricula. The Estonian Agricultural University does not have any specific courses in organic farming, but a few courses include an introduction to organic farming methods as part of the curriculum (e.g. plant protection, animal husbandry). The only special course on organic farming (a one-week, post-graduate course) was organised in co-operation with the Swedish Agricultural University, the Centre for Ecological Engineering and the Estonian Agricultural University at the beginning of 1999. There is a great lack of appropriate informational materials. Only a few booklets have been published. From 1991 to 1994 a newsletter on organic farming ("Elav maa" – "Living Earth") was published by the Estonian Bio-dynamic Association. A journal on organic farming ("Mahepõllumajanduse leht") has been published from 1996 to the present by the Centre for Ecological Engineering. The journal mainly publishes: articles on applied research and practical farming; country and farm reports; news on organic farming; and reviews of new literature published worldwide. Technical information sheets on growing different crops and a short introductory booklet in organic farming are published in the frame of Estonian-Danish co-operation project. The handbook on organic plant production will be published in 2001.
13 Advisory serviceThere are only three accredited organic advisors in Estonia. The farmers’ interest in using the advisory service varies a lot. Many of the farmers from southern Estonia make use of this opportunity, but several new farmers are not interested, even though the state defrays a major part of costs. The farmers who started organic farming at the beginning of 90-ies and who have received rather good training do not need the advisory service, and they often advise other farmers in the region themselves. There is a great need for training new advisors who will specialise in organic farming as well as for introducing the general principles of organic farming to conventional advisors. In 2001 there was organised a course and study-trip to Denmark under the above mentioned Estonian-Danish co-operation project and a seminar and study-trip under the Estonian-Finnish co-operation project. It is hoped that these training activities in combination with the partcipation in the training meant for farmers are helping to get at least 4- 5 more advisors acrredited by the end of 2001. 14 ResearchThere has not been much research in the field of organic farming, but the high importance of research is clearly recognised by several institutions dealing with organic farming. On-farm research is especially needed, e.g. to find out appropriate crop rotations and varieties. The Estonian Agricultural University has carried out a few projects which included organic farming. All of these projects dealt with plant protection. The first pilot research project on organic farming was jointly implemented by the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences and the Centre for Ecological Engineering in 1998. This project was aimed at getting an overview of the main problems of organic farms, particularly dairy farms. The project was supposed to continue in 1999, but the Estonian side was not able to find adequate funding, and the project was cancelled. In 2000 was started the applied research project on crop rotations and varieties in organic farming. This was implemented by the Centre for Ecological Engineering and financed by the Ministry of Agriculture. In 2001 the study was not continued because of the lack of financies. In 2000 there were few more research projects financed by the Ministry of Agriculture - appropriate potato varieties in organic farming (Jõgeva Seed Breeding Station, Centre for Ecological Engineering and Estonian Agricultural University), organic vegetable growing methods (Estonian Agricultura University and Räpina Training Union), development on organic milk products (Institute of Animal Husbandry ). Vegetable and grain variety tests are being made in South-East Estonia at the initiative of local farmers. In 2001 there are no research projects implemented but there are some planned for the 2002.
15 Challenges and OutlookTaking into account the present agricultural situation, the expansion of the organic sector in 2000 and 2001 and the high level of consumer interest, there is great potential for the rapid development of the sector in the near future. Organic agriculture is expected to increase at least by 50% per year during the next few years. 16 AuthorMerit Mikk, Centre for Ecological Engineering
© By Forschungsinstitut für biologischen
Landbau (FiBL) and Stiftung Oekologie & Landbau (SOEL) , 2002/2001/2000.
All rights reserved
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contents 7 Standards and Certification, 8 Implementation of EU Regulation 2092/91 9 State Support, Policy Initiatives 10 Implementation of Agenda 2000
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Info: 
The
first standards for organic farming were developed by the Estonian Bio-dynamic
Association in 1990. Farmers working according to these standards may
apply for the "Öko" label. The standards were drawn up
using the 
As
mentioned before, the state started to regulate organic farming in 1997
with the "
The setting up of this internet site was co-funded by the 
Forschungsinstitut
fuer biologischen Landbau (FiBL) , Research Institute of Organic
Agriculture