case study: hÉjja eco-farm

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The modernization of agriculture was accompanied by the demand of a yield increase and also by the widest possible use of fertilizers. Since it is known that a higher yield goes with by inferior quality, organic farming producers avoid different chemicals.

CASE STUDY-IORGANIC CROPS AND BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION

IN HÓDMEZŐVÁSÁRHELY – HÉJJA ECO-FARM

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ORGANIC CROPS AND BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION IN HÓDMEZŐVÁSÁRHELY –

HÉJJA ECO-FARM

The results of the survey of the Gödöllő Agricultural University(1966-1990) in Hungary

Micro-nutrient* content

* Micro-nutrient: minerals and trace elements

Decrease Same levelWheat 50,0% 50,0%

Barley 62,3% 37,7%

Corn 81,4% 18,6%

Beet 25,0% 75,0%

Potato 14,3% 86,7%

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HÉJJA ECO-FARM

Experiments confirm that the nitrate contents of the vegetables treated with slower but more balanced compost is well below that of the plants treated with nitrogen fertilizer.

The presence of some amount of nitrate is natural in plants, however, its quantity largely depends on the method of fertilization. The nitrogenous fertilizers in the soil endanger not only our food but our drinking water bases as well. Nitrates that find their way into the body reduce the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, which can cause the death of infant children. Compounds of nitrites with proteins may cause cancer.

Beyond its negative effects on living organisms, fertilization may lead to soil acidification.

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HÉJJA ECO-FARM

Since conventional fertilizers ingest only few micro-nutrients (nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus) into the loam soil, which are needed for the development of quality plants, thus providing a one-sided micro nutrient supply.

The soil abounds with materials introduced by fertilizers, and the equally important materials (e. g. Selenium) are lacking because there is no supply.

So no wonder, then, that plants from the acidic, looted soil have a very low vitamin mineral content, so they can hardly fill their nutritious health protective role.

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HÉJJA ECO-FARM

The Héjja eco-farm is a family business in Hódmezövásárhely. The family farm consists of two neighbouring farmsteads and the surrounding land of 20 hectares. Controlled eco / organic production is going on in the total area. In the homesteads, kitchen garden plants, including a variety of vegetables, fruits are produced and native animals are kept. The arable fields are cultivated with eco methods. On the 20 hectares, spice paprika and pumpkin are produced on 1 hectare each. Winter wheat is grown on 10 hectares; horse beans on three hectares; corn on 2 hectares and alfalfa is grown on 5 hectares.

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HÉJJA ECO-FARM

Their soil nutrient management is remarkable, because only organic manure is applied as a fertilizer without any soil nutrient supplementation. Depending on the green crop, they plough 30-35 cm deep, or loosen the soil surface with plate. When the cultivator that effects middle depth soil can be mounted on the tillage device, then loosening is carried out in all cases. The biological result of the loosening is that soil bacteria live and reproduce in a favourable microclimate. Another advantage is that the ground water regime significantly improves, the water is delivered in the developing soil „capillaries” to the depth or near the surface as needed. So, on the farm, surface water stagnation is unknown, and a short period of dry weather does not jeopardize the growth of the plants either.

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HÉJJA ECO-FARM

The crop protection consists of two parts: if weeding is necessary, a weed comb is used for early weed control, while the weed sprouts or is in a barely visible condition. Later, when the weeds grow on the surface, only the hoe can help to eliminate weeds.

In the interests of healthy plant flora a variety of foliar fertilizer is often used, which replaces the missing macro- and micro-elements.The so-called conditioning agents tend to maintain a high level of resistance of the plants. Plants may need the use of conditioning agents up to every two weeks. This is the way paprika or wheat are kept free from diseases. However, if a disease develops (e. g. wheat leaf rust infection), only copper-based sprays can be used. The conditioning and copper based agents can be sprayed only during the evening twilight when the wind stops and the insects living in the vicinity of the plants are not on the plants.

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HÉJJA ECO-FARM

It is a rule on the farm that the same plant cannot be grown directly after the same plant!

Winter wheat: a part of the crop is sold abroad, and the other part is made into whole grain flour. A part of the flour is used to bake additive-free bread for themselves, the rest is sold in 1 kg packages.

Broad bean: due to the collection of N in the soil it is a better green crop than even alfalfa. The broad beans have a high protein content, a perfect substitute for soy beans (and not GMO type), so they are essential in poultry and cattle feed.

Maize: they sell their own product, and they purchase the amount needed for feeding animals! The certified organic corn is made into flour by the customer and use it as an additive (infant formula, food industry, etc.).

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HÉJJA ECO-FARM

Lucerne: is used to feed own farm animals. As it is sown in a loosened soil, it provides 5-6 mowing for 5 - 6 years, and the continuous improvement of the N content of the soil.

Paprika: is grown with traditional techniques but organic technology. The greater amount of the crop is exported raw, the rest is dried and ground by the family. The meal is made into various additive-free paste formulations (sweet and spicy) or just used in cooking as a spice. The meal and pastes are sold packaged in large quantities. The use of organic paprika powder provides a special flavour for several kinds of Hungarian stews / paprika dishes.

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HÉJJA ECO-FARM

Pumpkin: After experimenting with 10 - 15 types, they have selected the type which provides the best flavour and homogeneity when fried ripe. The „orange” varieties are the best suited and most marketable for this purpose. The excess amount is consumed by animals. The pumpkin usually does not want any protection, it only requires the weed discharge.

Husbandry: The farm provides all feed – except for the purchased organic corn - for poultry and cattle. Thus, the manure of the animals is certified organic and highly suitable to develop an optimized structure of the soil, and to meet the nutritional needs of the plants.

The Héjja eco-farm is a for-profit enterprise, with the ability not only to supply food for the family but also to gain an income which allows the possibility of expanded reproduction.

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HÉJJA ECO-FARM

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HÉJJA ECO-FARM

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HÉJJA ECO-FARM

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HÉJJA ECO-FARMFARM DESCRIPTION

DATA & FIGURES OVERVIEW

PROPERTY EXTENT 20 ha 16 arable land 2 orchard

1 horticulture 1 house and yard

10 cows 1000 chicken 22 bee colonies

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS Wheat, horsebean, maize, lucerne, spice paprika, pumpkin, carrots, onion, garlic, potato, etc.

FOOD PRODUCTS Honey, propolis, wholemeal flour, jam, paprika powder,

fried pumpkin, milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, bio chicken meat

[email protected]

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HÉJJA ECO-FARMFARM DESCRIPTION

DATA & FIGURES OVERVIEW

ACTIVITIES Agriculture (organic ICEA certification) Didactic farm

COMMERCIALISATION Organic shop (Héjja Farm) Local market (Hódmezővásárhely)

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HÉJJA ECO-FARMPROCESS GRAPHIC REPRESENTATION

MARKETING&

COMMERCIALISATIONADMINISTRATION

DIDACTIC FARMORGANIC CROPS AND BIODIVERSITY

KEY PROCESSES

SUPPORT PROCESSES

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HÉJJA ECO-FARMKEY PROCESS DESCRIPTION

ORGANIC CROPS AND BIODIVERSITYProcess Description Competence Description Level

Knowledge on basic organic farming laws and certification procedures

To be able to respect the procedures for organic farming certification

2

Seasonal works (tilling, digging, weeding, mowing-cutting) and crop rotation

To be able to perform sustainable mechanical operations according to the organic procedures and rational crop rotation

3

Use of biomass for composting To be able to use biomass (pruning, grass mowing, animal manure, cut straw) for composting

4

Enrichment with organic fertilizers without use of synthetic chemicals

To be able to perform a rational fertilization for planned cultivations

4

Plant sowing based on planned organic cultivations

To be able to plan and perform plant sowing for planned organic crops

3

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Process Description Competence Description Level

Pests and parasites control based on organic farming protection (list of authorized technical means)

To be able to recognise and control pests and parasites and use the correct organic protection means

3

Harvest and transport to the farm storage and conditioning centre

To be able to organise and perform harvest and transport to the farm storage and conditioning centre

3

Cleaning, separating, selecting the products

To be able to perform cleaning, separation and selection of the products

3

Processing by mill the cereals for flour (wheat, paprika)

To be able to perform cereal meal supply chain

3

Technical management and control of all the organic farming and processing competences

To be able to manage the complete organic farming and processing issues

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ORGANIC CROPS AND BIODIVERSITY

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DIDACTIC FARM


Guided visits and didactic teaching on natural and agricultural issues

To be able to manage guided visits and didactic programs of learning for schools and groups

3

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Bookkeeping and administration (pay slips in outsourcing)

To be able to manage bookkeeping and farm administration

3

Organic certification procedures (linked to external control)

To be able to manage the organic certification procedures

3

Didactic farm procedure documents

To be able to manage the didactic farm procedure documents

3

HACCP produre documents To be able to manage the food production and restaurant produre documents

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HÉJJA ECO-FARMSUPPORT PROCESS DESCRIPTION

ADMINISTRATION

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HÉJJA ECO-FARMSUPPORT PROCESS DESCRIPTION

MARKETING & COMMERCIALISATION


Marketing of organic farming products

To be able to lead the marketing of the organic farming products

4

Management supervision and commercial organisation of buying goods and selling products

To be able to supervise and manage the commercial organisation

4

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HÉJJA ECO-FARMINNOVATION & SWOT ANALYSIS

KIND OF INNOVATION STRENGTHS &OPPORTUNITIES

WEAKS &THREATS

The production of crops and horticultural products carried out without synthetic chemicals. Plant protection with traditional herbal products and useful insects. Soil strength enforced with manure from cows kept with organic methods. To eliminate inland waters, soil loosening carried out each year.

Production of food ingredients for a healthy metabolism. Growing individual sensitivity terminating products. Presentations for different age groups (children and adults).

The commercialisation is still underdeveloped and the organic shops are still not so largely common in Csongrád county and close regions.

Increasing the organic farmland. Increasing crop yields. Further development of the method of product sales.

In Hungary, the demand for organic products is still low, and real quality cannot be validated in the prices.

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HÉJJA ECO-FARM

More information:

http://www.bekesibio.hu/2012/07/vi-bionap-hejja-kalman-tanyajaban/ http://www.federto.eu/hu/node/1412 http://www.vitaminsziget.com/cikk.php?id=308

Address: Héjja-Ökofarm6800 HódmezővásárhelyKútvölgy – Tanya1132/A

Tel.: +36 62 229238

http://www.bekesibio.hu/2012/07/vi-bionap-hejja-kalman-tanyajaban/

http://www.federto.eu/hu/node/1412

http://www.vitaminsziget.com/cikk.php?id=308

case study: hÉjja eco-farm

Small Business & Entrepreneurship