Launch event of the first Biodistrict in Serbia and Southeast Europe-Biodistrict Kolubara
In mid-May, the foundation stone of the Kolubara Biodistrict was laid in the Kolubara District that occupies the central part of western Serbia. The Promotion Committee of the Kolubara Biodistrict, was established on the organic farm of Pavle Đorđević – Organela, in Valjevska Kamenica, Municipality of Valjevo. This Committee consists of 13 members who were the first to recognize the importance of this form of association, with the main goal of promoting the development of the Biodistrict Kolubara. Following this, a gathering took place in the village of Tolić, near City of Mionica, on the organic farm of Ivana and Dragan Sretenović – Ranch Sretenović. This event brought together a broader circle of participants from the Kolubara
district to establish a common vision and mission and to form a wider network of Kolubara actors.
The event was opened by Boban Janković, the President of the Municipality of Mionica, who expressed confidence that the Biodistrict Kolubara would promote healthy food, support the environment, and enhance livelihoods. He also assured the local government’s support for the biodistrict and its participants.
Biodistricts are geographic and socio-economic communities comprising producers, food processors, restaurateurs, local governments, and citizens with the goal of creating a healthy environment and producing sustainable
food. The Kolubara Biodistrict’ is the result of an initiative by Serbia Organica, which began about a year ago. This initiative, supported by international experts and their experiences, set the national administrative framework for establishing the first biodistrict in Serbia and Southeast Europe. The European Commission legally defined biodistricts, making them part of EU policy and planning, but they exist worldwide. Serbia Organica, with
support from donors like GIZ, SECO, and UN FAO, turned this idea into reality.
The participants were addressed by Ivana Simić, Serbia Organica, who presented the entire process of implementing this idea in Serbia, as well as the reasons why Serbia Organica chosed the Kolubar aregion as the first biodistrict in Serbia.
Jelena Milić, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, pointed out why the Ministry supports this idea, which is one of the ways for more intensive development of organic production, as well as the incentives for organic production that are available to organic producers.
Dr. Juan Pablo Sciurano, an expert from Argentina who has supported Serbia Organica and the participants from Kolubara since the beginning of the process, shared his international experiences, as well as experiences gained during his activities in Serbia.
Prof. Snežana Oljača, Ph.D., Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade, expressed her full support both academically and from the level of development of organic production, as well as the president of the Board of Directors of Serbia Organica. She also invited organic producers/processors to submit their projects to the NLB-Komercijalen Bank’s Organic competition.
On that occasion, a seedling of the magnolia plant was planted as a symbol of the germ and growth of the Kolubara biodistrict.
