DRIVING FORCE OF ORGANIC FARMING IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC – MARKET DEMAND OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT?

Abstract

In the Czech Republic, and possibly in many other eastern European countries, organic production still has potential for further growth. Over the past three decades, organic farming has become an essential alternative to farming practices. An increase was observed among acreage, the number of farms, and also consumer spending on organic production. After the EU accession, organic farming became part of the agricultural policy related to other than production function and therefore supported by EU finance. The contribution aimed to derive which of the two factors was more important for organic farming expansion - the pull factor (market demand) or the push factor (financial support). Using Pearson's correlation coefficient stronger relationship was observed for financial aid, which was a driving force for the organic agriculture spread in the Czech Republic.