ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE AS ONE OF THE PATH OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The authors deal with the development of organic farming in the Czech Republic. They investigate how the number of organic farms and the volume of ecologically managed land in the Czech Republic are increasing, what is the structure of the land fund, the structure of crop production and ecologically farmed livestock. Statistical data shows that the number of organic farms and the number of hectares of ecologically managed land have increased significantly since 1993. In particular, cereals and forage on arable land are produced. Organic farming applies mainly to cattle and sheep. Consumption of organic food also grows. The article compares data from the Czech Republic and other selected countries. In particular, the data published in the statistical year books are used. The paper also highlights the Czech and European legal norms governing organic farming. The authors believe that, in view of climate and other related changes, a preview of large-scale agricultural production will have to be re-evaluated in the near future, it will be vital to use those environmentally friendly production processes.