Organic farming must become a priority of mankind, while Moldova could supply its organic products to Germany, which is the largest organic market in Europe, said Doctor of Science and university lecturer Ulrich Köpke, of the Bonn Institute of Organic Agriculture.
“Organic products to the value of over €7 billion had been sold on our market in 2010-2012, which is 30% of the volume of the European market. But Germany is not only a large producer. We import a lot of organic products from all over the world as, for example, potatoes from Kazakhstan or apples from Argentina. Thus, we could easily import bioproducts from Moldova too, if they meet the requirements of course,” Ulrich Köpke, who has done research in the area of organic products for many years, has told IPN.
The ban imposed by Russia affected the Moldovan agriculture. While the Moldovan authorities are looking for solutions, the German market could offer a solution for overcoming the crisis, considers the lecturer of the Bonn Institute of Organic Agriculture. “We have great potential because the consumers from here understand that the bioproducts are natural. I think the products from Moldova will also be popular,” stated Doctor Ulrich Köpke.
Leo Palm, small farmer from Germany, 25 years ago decided to transform his family’s farm from an ordinary one into an organic farm. The farmer has told IPN that earlier the vegetables and fruit grown by him were treated with pesticides and different chemicals. The fruit were large and attractive, but were sold at a low price. Today the vegetables at this farm grow only in natural conditions and, even if they are smaller and less attractive, they are sold at a higher price. “The organic farms represent about 5% of Germany’s agriculture. Many years ago we understood that we could no longer grow products using chemicals and decided to follow another way. We live not far from large towns and the people are always in search of organic products,” said the farmer.
Leo Palm owns 50 hectares of land and planned his business so as to be able to grow and supply vegetables throughout the year. He also opened a shop near his farm. “Our farm can be an example for Moldova. For instance, we start to plant rhubarb and asparagus very early. Afterward, we plant the broccoli, fennel, carrot and artichoke. We supply all these vegetables to the weekend fairs in Bonn and to supermarkets. In summer we grow pods and then plant Hokkaido pumpkins that grow until late in autumn. In winter we have different types of cabbage – white, red and green. These products are sold early in spring, as the asparagus. Afterward we start everything from the beginning,” stated the farmer.
According to a study carried out by researchers of the Bonn Institute of Organic Agriculture, Germany ranks first in Europe by the import of organic products, while the sales of bioproducts in this country exceed €7 billion a year.
Simion Ciochină, for IPN from Bonn, Germany
