Research into Agricultural Producers’ Motives for Engaging in Organic Production in the Republic of Serbia

The primary goal of this paper is to explore the reasons and motives that influenced the farmers to opt for organic production, then to identify the factors limiting growth of such production and to consider the possibility of improving the organic production in the Republic of Serbia. The test method based on a questionnaire was used to obtain information on the producers' opinions and attitudes. There are significant potentials for organic production in the Republic of Serbia. The primary motive for engaging in organic farming is that the producers want to manufacture safe and healthy food primarily for themselves and for their family members. The purchase of organic seeds and seedlings, as well as of plant protection material and organic fertilizers, is said to be the biggest problem. There are still many other problems, such as a complicated procedure for obtaining certificates of organic production, poorly drafted legislation, the high cost of certification and analyses, low incentives from the government, but also the still low consumer awareness about the importance of organic food. The most important measure for the expansion of organic farming is an increase in government incentives in the form of subsidies or soft loans. It is necessary for the producers to team up into organic food associations in order to jointly meet the demand for organic products in the domestic and international markets