New figures from the Agency for the Danish Food Industry show that Danish farmers have applied to have a larger area approved for organic production in 2011 than 2010. But the increase is still not high enough compared to the government’s vision for organic production, points out Ole Bloch Engellyst, Head of Organic Farming, Knowledge Centre for Agriculture.

Farmers will in increasing numbers shift over to organic production.

Figures, that the Agency for the Danish Food Industry has calculated, show that Danish farmers have applied to transfer 10.838 hectares to organic production in 2011. That is an increase compared to 2010 when the figure was 9.446 hectares.

But the figures are not high enough if the government’s vision for organic production is to be met, said Ole Bloch Engellyst, Head of Organic Farming, Knowledge Centre for Agriculture.

- It is only a slight increase that does not meet the target set by the vision for organic production to double the area under organic production by 2020. The increase must be compared with the unknown number of farmers that will shift back from organic farming to conventional farming, he says.

According to the Head of Organic Farming there is a need for action on 2 fronts.

- First, the organic farmers must have better marketing opportunities both through increased export and a bigger demand from the domestic market. Secondly opportunities for shifting production form and a technical development of the organic production system are required, said Ole Bloch Engellyst.