In the future, Nébih will carry out experiments with organic seeds at an eco-certified station

By: STA Date: 2022. 12. 13. 09:45

This fall, the National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih)’s Fertőd Variety Testing Station obtained the ecological certification. The development made it possible for the authority to carry out experiments set up based on the principles of organic farming, as well as to effectively examine varieties that are particularly suitable for organic farming. The office celebrated the transition with an event combined with a professional conference on December 12 in Zamárdi.

(Photo: Pixabay)

Among the objectives of the National Action Plan for the development of organic farming is the domestic boost of the organic seed market and access to organic feed, which tasks will be implemented by Nébih on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture. There are currently 22 varieties of 13 species (mostly vegetable species) in the organic seed database managed by the office. Ecological seed production takes place on about 0.04% of Hungary’s crop area, according to the data of the last 5 years, 50 varieties of 20 species are produced on 1,300-2,200 hectares.

Choosing the right variety plays a particularly important role in ecological farming

Varieties with good resistance should be prioritized, which produce well even with minor damage. It is also authoritative that they have good weed suppressing ability and tolerate mechanical weed control well. Another defining criterion is that the selected variety is tolerant to the nutrient supply necessary to achieve excellent yields and to drought or even heavy rainfall. In order to provide space and opportunities for experiments set up based on the principles of organic farming, as well as tests of varieties that are particularly suitable for organic farming, the entire area of almost 20 hectares of the Fertőd Breed Experiment Station in Nébih obtained the eco certification. Thanks to this, in the future, varieties suitable for organic farming will be tested at the first organic variety experiment station in Fertőd. In addition to variety testing, Nébih’s specialists also support organic farmers with information and assistance in variety selection.

The office won the “VP4-11.1.1.-11.2.1.-21 Transition to organic farming, maintenance of organic farming” tender of the Rural Development Program

The support is a significant help in the implementation of the necessary further developments and investments. Nébih celebrated the award of the eco certification with an event combined with a professional conference on December 12 in Zamárdi. At the event, the participants were able to hear lectures on, among other things, the situation of domestic ecological breeding, the prospects of organic farming, and the future plans of the ecological Breed Experiment Station.
Nébih