Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Current Status of Advisory and Extension Services for Organic Agriculture in Europe and Turkey
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/58541
In order to see the number and share of these units, table 4 was produced from the table 3.
Similar units according to management and functions were considered in the same group.
The number of advisory unit service
(European Union)
The number of advisory
unit service
Europe
(34 Countries)
EU-15
(a)
EU-13
(b)
EU-28
(a+b)
Advisory Service
Share
(%)
Share
(%)
Share
(%)
Number
Number
Number
Number
Share (%)
Private services
14
35.9
12
37.5
26
36.6
29
34.9
Farmer's organization
12
30.8
7
21.9
19
26.8
21
25.3
Ministry of agriculture
6
15.4
13
40.6
19
26.8
25
30.1
Others
7
17.9
0
0.0
7
9.9
8
9.6
Total
39
100.0
32
100.0
71
100.0
83
100.0
Table 4.
Distribution of Advisory Units in European Countries
As shown in table 4, the most important advisory units in EU-15 are private advisory services
(35.9%) and farmer's organizations (30,8%). These units are followed by the ministry of
agriculture (15.4%) and others (17.9%). But the situation for the EU-13 is different, the main
advisory units are private advisory services (37,5%) and ministry of agriculture (40,6%). These
units are followed by farmer's organizations (21,9%). When all EU Members and non-member
European countries are considered together, the most important advisory units are private
advisory services (34.9%) and ministry of agriculture (30,1%). These units are followed by
farmer's organizations (25.3%) and others (9.6%). As can be seen in tables 3 and 4, there are
some differences between the first 15 members of the European Union (EU-15) and the 13
countries. These differences are related with their extension systems. Especially after 2004, the
higher presence of the ministry of agriculture was interesting in the farmer's organization.
Generally, in the group of private advisory, the most important services provided are called
Private consulting advisory firms and conventional advisory firms, however, Organic
agriculture consulting units and Organic Producer organizations are important services in the
farmer's organizations. In the ministries, the most important services are Ministry of Agricul‐
ture in organic farm unit and Regional agriculture authorities in districts.
Since organic farming is mainly considered for export purposes, advisory services for organic
products have been implemented by Private firms via contract farming (foreign exporter firms)
which is the most important advisory unit for contract farmers. For this reason, advisory units
have been mainly formed and managed by importing firms in Turkey.
In addition to this, Ministry of Food Agriculture and Livestock has been conducting advisory
services for organic agriculture with cooperation of Universities and Turkish Association of
Organic Agriculture Movements (ETO). It is expected that these units will have significant
importance in providing extension services in Turkey. However, the major difference bettween
EU-15 countries and Turkey is the lack of producer organizations in Turkey.
