IO2/Unit10: Entrepreneurship in Ecological Vegetable Gardening

1. IO2/Unit10:
Entrepreneurship in
Ecological Vegetable
Gardening
2017-1-BG01-KA202-036212

2. Table of contents:
10.1. Definition of Entrepreneurship
10.2. The application of the concept of entrepreneurship in ecological vegetable
gardening
10.3. Assessment of the risk factors in a sustainable ecological agri-business
10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria, Belgium,
Slovenia and Turkey

3. 10.1. Ecological farming from past to future
Growing Trade in Organic Agriculture

4. 10.1. Definition of Entrepreneurship
The capacity and willingness
 to develop
 to organize
 to manage
a business venture along with any of its risks in order to make a profit. The
most obvious example of entrepreneurship is the starting of new businesses.
In economics, entrepreneurship combined with
 land
 labor
 natural resources
 capital

5. Entrepreneurial spirit is characterized by innovation and risk-taking, and is
an essential part of a nation's ability to succeed in an ever changing and
increasingly competitive global marketplace.
10.1. Definition of Entrepreneurship

6. 10.1. Definition of Entrepreneurship
Many small-scale farmers and extension organizations
understand that there is little future for farmers unless
they become more entrepreneurial in the way they run
their farms. They must increasingly produce for markets
and for profits.
They must
continue to
care their
business like a
plant

7. 10.2. The application of the concept of entrepreneurship in ecological vegetable gardening
Smallholder eco gardener-entrepreneur usually plant for one of four
reasons:
 Exclusively for home consumption with rarely any surpluses produced
 Mostly for home consumption, but with the intention of selling surpluses
on the market;
 Partly for the market and partly for home consumption; or
 Exclusively for the market.

8. 10.2. The application of the concept of entrepreneurship in ecological vegetable gardening
In the first rung of the ladder are gardeners who farm exclusively for home
consumption. If there is a surplus, they will sell it on the market, but this
is very rare. Often these are planting with the basic consumptions of
themselves and their families. While they may be entrepreneurial in spirit,
they usually lack the opportunity to eco gardener-entrepreneur as
entrepreneurs.

9. 10.2. The application of the concept of entrepreneurship in ecological vegetable gardening
On the second rung are gardeners who have greater opportunities that
allow them to produce beyond just surviving. These opportunities are still
very limited. Such farmers are sometimes viewed as ‘pre-entrepreneurial’,
requiring support to move into a more independent position. At this level the
farmers are not ‘entrepreneurs’ in the true sense and neither are they truly
market-oriented. They have a greater appreciation of the market and have
expanded their survival farming to include some economic activities, such as
eco planting. They are just starting out on the path towards developing
profit-driven farming businesses.

10. 10.2. The application of the concept of entrepreneurship in ecological vegetable gardening
The third rung represents farmers who understand the value of eco farming
for the market, but are often limited by access to finance, labour or market
information. The elements are all there, but they cannot risk family food
requirements without greater certainty of income from cash crops. The
choice between producing primarily for the market with some produce
utilised for home consumption or primarily for home consumption with
some produce sold in the market depends on their circumstances and
their willingness to take risks.

11. 10.2. The application of the concept of entrepreneurship in ecological vegetable gardening
Eco-Farmers on the fourth rung are fully market-oriented. Their primary
reason for farming is to make profits by producing for the eco market. They
are interested in profits, not food production. To be successful at
market-oriented farming, the farmer needs greater farm management and
entrepreneurial skills.

12. 10.3. Assessment of the risk factors in a sustainable ecological agri-business
 Being an entrepreneur is a way of life and a way of looking at the world.
Entrepreneurs enjoy independence and freedom. They decide for
themselves what to do and when to do it. Entrepreneurs also face risks,
work under pressure and are immediately accountable for the outcomes –
good or bad – of their decisions.
 While eco farmer-entrepreneurs are free and independent, they do not
work alone. They operate in a complex and dynamic environment. They
are part of a larger collection of people including other farmers,
suppliers, traders, transporters and processors, each of whom has a role
to play in the value chain.

13. 10.3. Assessment of the risk factors in a sustainable ecological agri-business
To make sure their farm businesses develop and
adapt in response to these changes, eco farmer-
entrepreneurs need to:
 Stay focused on their purpose;
 Do their best to turn every event to their advantage;
 Seize every opportunity and make the best of it;
 Make the whole system work in their favour.

14. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
KEY INDICATORS OF BULGARIA ORGANIC AGRICULTURA (6)
 Organic agricultural area: 39138 hectares
 Organic operators: 2850
 Retail sales: EUR 6-8 million (2009), according to unofficial
information

15. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
PRODUCTION BASE: LAND USE AND KEY CROPS
 Of the total organic area of 39 138 hectares (2012), 45.8 % consists of
arable land, 28 % permanent crops, and 20.3 % permanent grassland and
grazing areas
 The key arable crops are cereals, primarily wheat (7 532 hectares), oilseeds
(primarily sunflower and rape; 3 292 hectares), and green fodder from
arable land including temporary grasses and grazing areas (2 044 hectares)
 The key permanent crops are nuts, primarily walnuts and hazelnuts (5 981
hectares), orchards with temperate fruits (2 155 hectares), and vineyards
(2 058)
 In addition to organic agricultural area, Bulgaria has a notable organic wild
collection area of 473 941 hectares

16. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
MARKET
 Both production and the market are growing rapidly, but organic
producers continue to mainly export raw materials. An estimated 90 % of
the organic products are exported as raw material, whilst 95 % of the
organic goods consumed domestically are imported. Almost all
supermarket chains offer organic products. The number of specialised
shops for organic products is increasing. There are no national statistics
for market data. According to the only survey conducted by Bioselena, in
early 2009 (unofficial information), the volume of the market for organic
products in Bulgaria ranges from EUR 6-8 million.
 Top-selling products: Baby foods and dairy products (milk, yoghurt,
cheese).

17. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
MARKET
 Exports and imports: Most of the organic products (about 90 %) are
exported to Central and Western European countries, North America, and
Japan. There is no official data on exports. About 90 % of organic products
marketed in Bulgaria are imported from the European Union.
 There are no imports from third countries.
STANDARDS, LEGISLATION, ORGANIC LOGO
 EU legislation on organic farming and other regulations directly applicable
in Bulgaria. The national ordinance N. 1/2013 regulates the work of the
control bodies.
 The national organic logo is voluntary and free, but rarely used. The
Ministry of Agriculture and Food owns the logo.

18. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
RESEARCH & ADVICE
Organic research is occasionally undertaken by some NGOs and research
institutes as part of international projects. NGOs, private companies and
research institutes offer advice on organic production and processing.
Specialised consulting organisations, such as Bioselena, offer advice to
farmers. Some of the researchers also offer consulting services. Traders in
fertilisers and plant protection products also offer advice. The Agrarian
University of Plovdiv offers a facultative academic programme of 30 hours for
students, as well as master degree programmes in organic farming. Bioselena
offers professional training in organic agriculture for farmers.

19. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
CHALLENGES & OUTLOOK
Certified organic livestock farms make up only a small share of all organic
farms (there are only 18 livestock farms out of 2.754 farms). This creates an
imbalance in production, and it diverges from the principles of organic
agriculture, which view animals as an essential element for the nutrients
cycle on the farm.

20. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
KEY INDICATORS OF BELGIAN ORGANIC AGRICULTURA (7)
 Organic agricultural area: Belgium: 59684 hectares
 Organic operators: 2201
 Retail sales: EUR 417 million

21. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
PRODUCTION BASE: LAND USE AND KEY CROPS
 Of the total organic area (55 304 hectares in 2011) 71.9 % consists of
permanent grassland and grazing area, 26.6 % is arable land and 1 %
permanent cropland
 The key arable crops are green fodder from arable land including temporary
grasses and grazing areas (6 233 hectares), cereals - mainly wheat, triticale
and barley – (4 816 hectares), protein crops (1 284 hectares), and vegetables
(744 hectares)
 The key permanent crops are orchards with temperate fruits (439 hectares,
214 hectares of which are apples; and 72 hectares of berries).

22. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
MARKET
The Belgian organic market is rather small, but has grown steadily in the past
years. The per capita spending on organic products is about EUR 37.9. The
market share for fresh organic products is 1.9 %, and for all organic products
it is 1.5 %.
Top-selling products: Meat substitutes (24.5 % of all meat substitutes), eggs
(8.9 %), and vegetables (5 %). These are sorted by share of the respective
total market.

23. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
ACTION PLAN
As stated above the Flemish government works out action plans on regular
bases with financial support for organic farmers and for the umbrella
organization BioForum Vlaanderen, actions to manage the supply chain, to
promote organic products, to integrate organic agriculture in educational
programs, to improve the coordination of scientific investigation on organic
agriculture, etc.
Action plans for organic production are always linked to the Ministry of
Agriculture. Other Ministries like Health, Economics, Environment did not yet
formulate goals for organic agriculture or food products

24. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
KEY INDICATORS (8)
 Organic agricultural area: 35101 hectares
 Organic operators: 2698
 Retail sales: EUR 44 million (2012)

25. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
PRODUCTION BASE: LAND USE AND KEY CROPS
Of the total area of 35 101 hectares, 87,36 % consists of grassland, 7,84 %
arable land, and 4,28 % permanent crops. The key arable crops are cereals (1
387 hectares), green fodder from arable land (1.800 hectares) and
vegetables (1.801 hectares). The key permanent crops are fruits (994,36
hectares), grapes (323,88 hectares) and olives (184,53 hectares).

26. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
MARKET
 Top-selling products: Fresh vegetables, dairy products and cereals.
 Market channels: 85 % of the products are sold in supermarkets (largest
share) and specialized retailers; 15 % are sold directly (two thirds on-
farm, one third at organic farmers’ markets).
 Exports and imports: Slovenia imports 80 % of the organic products it
consumes

27. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
CHALLENGES & OUTLOOK
Key challenges are an improvement of knowledge transfer; improvement of
availability of agricultural land; increase of the production volume; increase
of self-sufficiency with organic food, which is currently only 20 %

28. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
KEY INDICATORS (9)
 Organic agricultural area: 523.627 hectares
 Organic operators: 57.438
 Retail sales: No data

29. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
PRODUCTION BASE: LAND USE AND KEY CROPS
Of the total area of 523.627 hectares, 76,4% consists of arable crops and
16,5% permanent crops, while another 4,7% is given over to permanent
grassland and grazing areas. The key arable crops are cereals (197.877
hectares), green fodder from arable land (174.136 hectares) and crops for
industrial uses (14.315 hectares). The key permanent crops are olives (36.261
hectares). nuts (19.320 hectares) and apricots (4.946 hectares)

30. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
MARKET
The major market is still the export market, with European countries being
the main destinations. The product range includes dried fruit and nuts,
culinary herbs, aromatic plants (roses), pulses and fruit juice. However, the
domestic market for plant and animal products is growing rapidly. Fresh
vegetables and fruit are the main products in the open markets. Livestock
products (milk and dairy products, eggs, meat and meat products) are
produced in the domestic market. Of the livestock products, only honey is
exported. Cotton is an important crop, especially in the south-eastern part of
Turkey. It is processed into yarn and textiles for the export market.

31. 10.4. Resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Bulgaria,
Belgium, Slovenia and Turkey
RESEARCH & ADVICE
 Research and Policy at the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock
supports research into organic agriculture, in its approximately 30
national research institutes. A research group meeting takes place
annually, which is open to all stakeholders.
 Advice is given through organic units in every provincial directorate.
private consultancies are promoted. Some universities (Ege, Erzurum
Atatürk, Ankara, Çukurova, 19 Mayis, Uludağ) have included organic
research in their research and training programmes.

32. References
References
1. Ecological Gardening, Report of No Dig Vegetable Garden, Wellington, NZ.
2. Kuepper, G., A Brief Overview of the History and Philosophy of Organic
Agriculture,, Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
3. Heckman, J. R., A history of organic farming: Transitions from Sir Albert
Howard's War in the Soil to USDA National Organic Program, Renewable
Agriculture and Food Systems 21(03):143 – 150, September 2006.
4. The History of Organic Farming, Organic net report, 2016.
5. Kahan, D. Eterpreurship in Farming, Food and agriculture organization of
the united nations, Rome 2012.
6. IFOAM, Bulgaria Report, Organic International, 2016.
7. IFOAM, Belgium Report, Organic International, 2016.
8. IFOAM, Sloweina Report, Organic International, 2016.
9. IFOAM, Turkey Report, Organic International, 2016.