Indicator 2.40 Area under organic farming

This indicator is defined as the share of total utilised agricultural area (UAA) occupied by organic farming (existing organically farmed areas and areas undergoing conversion). Organic farming is a production method that puts the highest emphasis on environmental and wildlife protection and, with regard to livestock production, on animal welfare considerations. It avoids or largely reduces the use of synthetic chemical inputs, such as fertilisers, pesticides, additives and medical products.

Organic farming in Bosnia and Herzegovina started to develop in the 1990s. Despite an eightfold increase in the area under organic production between 2014 and 2022, the total agricultural area under organic production reached a modest 2 495 ha in 2022. One of the objectives of the 2021–2027 rural development strategies is to bring about a significant increase in organic farming.

Indicator can be considered as part of global SDG indicator 2.4.1 “Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture”. While organic farming is not explicitly mentioned in the Agenda 2030, the EU considers organic farming as a method of production, which puts the highest emphasis on environmental and woldlife protection and, with regard to livestock production, on animal welfare considerations. It avoids or largely reduces the use of synthetic chemical inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, additives and medical products. The production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their use in animal feed are forbidden. The Biodiversity strategy for 2030 is a key component of the European Green Deal. The strategy aims to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides, reduce nutrient losses, and reduce the use of fertilisers and antibiotics. The Biodiversity strategy sets the target of achieving 25 % of the EU’s total farmland under organic farming by 2030.

At least 25 % of the EU’s agricultural land should be under organic farming by 2030