Croatia Agricultural Pollution Control Project

Hrvoje Horvat

Project coordinator

Project background

Founded by GEF, implemented through WB from the 2008.

national implementing entities: Ministry of agriculture, Agency for paying in agriculture and Croatia waters

Estimated duration - four years, at an estimated cost of US$20 million (GEF Grant US$5.0 million, AACP associated financing US$13.9 million and beneficiary contribution US$1.1 million)

The Danube River basin drains most of Croatia’s agricultural land

There was no speciffic legislation regarding GAP

Small number of households/farms familiar with GAP procedures – no

subsidies for environment friendly farming

Project backgroundGlobal and national context

Heavy use of fertilizers very common among farmers Lack of soil analisis and precise nutrient planing Average annual consumption of fertilizers higher than EU-15

Project backgroundGlobal and national context

Eutrophication processes in most Croatia lakes and canals The nitrogen content of Danube basin rivers is above the

maximum allowed content (MAC); Between 2000-2006, one out of every three samples analyzed

from private water wells exceeded the MAC for nitrates.

Project backgroundGlobal and national context

Project components

CroatiaAPCP

Global objective

To reduce the discharge of nutrients

into Danube river basin

National objectives

• increase the use of environmentaly friendly agriculture practices• to comply with EU legislation

2,66 million USD Investment Fund opened in March 2010

During autumn and winter 2009 working group determined – approx 60 farmers on all counties

During preparation time several farmers withdrew – each one replaced by new applicant

Average recorded time of preparation for the funds – 8 months

Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies from point-source pollutionfrom point-source pollution

Preconditions

Clear documents and legalised farm

Evidences of financial avalability

Max amount of the support 75% - up to 83 000 USD

Equipment was allowed – amount less than investment of construction

Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies from point-source pollutionfrom point-source pollution

Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies from point-source pollutionfrom point-source pollution

47 applications received 43 farms contracted so far – 2.400,000 USD

AVERAGE SHARE OF THE PROJECT SUPPORT = 70%

TOTAL AMOUNT OF FARMERS CONTRIBUTION 1.000.000 USD

APPROX 250 t N/year CAPTURED AND PREVENTED FROM LEACHING

Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies from point-source pollutionfrom point-source pollution

Support for Water & Soil Monitoring and Impact Analysis:

Piezometer instalation

• Construction firm contracted during summer of 2010• 16 piezometer sets installed – 14 to be installed in upcoming months• too short period for measuring – part of future network of control points

Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies from point-source pollution from point-source pollution

• From June 2009 we established program of day-to-day informative visits to producers

• Group of 87 farmers contracted with more than 1400 ha of GAP demonstration plots

Development and promotion of Agri-Development and promotion of Agri-environment measuresenvironment measures

• Aplied research program with Zagreb and Osijek Agronomy faculty

Development and promotion of Agri-Development and promotion of Agri-environment measuresenvironment measures

• More than 300 presentations (lectures, workshops, radio, TV, newspapers, field days)

• Continuous appearance on local and national media – radio, TV and newspapers

• Extensive usage of promotional material

Public awareness Public awareness

Public awareness

Nitrates testing campaign

• Activity highly accepted by farmers• more than 2000 samples analysed so far • approx 15 % of wells above 50 mg/L NO3

• M&E system established by summer of 2009. – ongoing monitoring of all activities – quarterly field visits, monthly meetings

• Implemented two surveys - baseline and mid-term M&E survey on more than 1200 producers – one more in preparation

• Three study visits and total of 3 weeks of intense education of the project team (Extension skills and Nutrient management)

Project management

• 4 agriculture schools – education and GAP plots establishments

• Biogas seminars with Energy institute

• CROCAN Project/ Agriculture faculty in Zagreb

Monitoring the reduction of soil carbon and nutrient losses in Croatia

• Joint iniciative with Petrijanec municipality on problem with poultry manure

• Cooperation on education of farmers with largest Croatian food company Agrokor - project Agro academy

In addition

EXPAND AND ENHANCE WHEREVER POSSIBLE

ConclusionImplementation environment

• The project started in 2008. together with economic crysis

• Growing problems in Croatia economy – separate problem

• Restructuring of agriculture sector in Croatia

• Desappearing of smaller farms

• Bigger farms encumbered with debts

• Fear of investments and bigger changes

• Huge problem of unlegalised farms

• Restrictive local spatial plans

• Slow administration

Conclusion our key to efficiency

COMMUNICATION

Essential – active (daily based) exchange of information between the project team, donors, implementing entities and stakeholders.

MEASUREMENT - EVALUATION - CORRECTION

Essential – constant supervision of the activities and measurement of the results. CONCLUSIONS - CORRECTIONS

PLAN

Essential – translate the global project plan to specific monthly and weekly steps and include them in reporting format

PLANCOMMUNICATION

Thank you !