Croatia Agricultural Pollution Control Project Hrvoje Horvat Project coordinator

Project background  Founded by GEF, implemented through WB from the  national implementing entities: Ministry of agriculture, Agency for paying in agriculture and Croatia waters  Estimated duration - four years, at an estimated cost of US$20 million (GEF Grant US$5.0 million, AACP associated financing US$13.9 million and beneficiary contribution US$1.1 million)

 The Danube River basin drains most of Croatia’s agricultural land  There was no speciffic legislation regarding GAP  Small number of households/farms familiar with GAP procedures – no subsidies for environment friendly farming Project background Global and national context

 Heavy use of fertilizers very common among farmers  Lack of soil analisis and precise nutrient planing  Average annual consumption of fertilizers higher than EU-15 Project background Global and national context

 Eutrophication processes in most Croatia lakes and canals  The nitrogen content of Danube basin rivers is above the maximum allowed content (MAC);  Between , one out of every three samples analyzed from private water wells exceeded the MAC for nitrates. Project background Global and national context

Component 1: Mitigating Nutrient Loads to Water Bodies from Point-Source Pollution Component 2: Development and Promotion Agri-Environment Measures Component 3: Public Awareness and Replication Strategy Component 4: Project Management Project components

Project objectives Croatia APCP Global objective To reduce the discharge of nutrients into Danube river basin National objectives increase the use of environmentaly friendly agriculture practices to comply with EU legislation

 2,66 million USD Investment Fund opened in March 2010  During autumn and winter 2009 working group determined – approx 60 farmers on all counties  During preparation time several farmers withdrew – each one replaced by new applicant  Average recorded time of preparation for the funds – 8 months Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies from point-source pollution

Preconditions  Clear documents and legalised farm  Evidences of financial avalability  Max amount of the support 75% - up to USD  Equipment was allowed – amount less than investment of construction Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies from point-source pollution

Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies from point-source pollution  47 applications received  43 farms contracted so far – 2.400,000 USD

 AVERAGE SHARE OF THE PROJECT SUPPORT = 70%  TOTAL AMOUNT OF FARMERS CONTRIBUTION USD  APPROX 250 t N/year CAPTURED AND PREVENTED FROM LEACHING Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies from point-source pollution

Support for Water & Soil Monitoring and Impact Analysis: Piezometer instalation Construction firm contracted during summer of piezometer sets installed – 14 to be installed in upcoming months too short period for measuring – part of future network of control points Mitigating nutrient loads to water bodies from point-source pollution

From June 2009 we established program of day-to-day informative visits to producers Group of 87 farmers contracted with more than 1400 ha of GAP demonstration plots Development and promotion of Agri- environment measures

Aplied research program with Zagreb and Osijek Agronomy faculty Development and promotion of Agri- environment measures

More than 300 presentations (lectures, workshops, radio, TV, newspapers, field days) Continuous appearance on local and national media – radio, TV and newspapers Extensive usage of promotional material Public awareness

Nitrates testing campaign Activity highly accepted by farmers more than 2000 samples analysed so far approx 15 % of wells above 50 mg/L NO3

M&E system established by summer of – ongoing monitoring of all activities – quarterly field visits, monthly meetings Implemented two surveys - baseline and mid-term M&E survey on more than 1200 producers – one more in preparation Three study visits and total of 3 weeks of intense education of the project team (Extension skills and Nutrient management) Project management

4 agriculture schools – education and GAP plots establishments Biogas seminars with Energy institute CROCAN Project/ Agriculture faculty in Zagreb Monitoring the reduction of soil carbon and nutrient losses in Croatia Joint iniciative with Petrijanec municipality on problem with poultry manure Cooperation on education of farmers with largest Croatian food company Agrokor - project Agro academy In addition EXPAND AND ENHANCE WHEREVER POSSIBLE

Conclusion Implementation environment The project started in together with economic crysis Growing problems in Croatia economy – separate problem Restructuring of agriculture sector in Croatia Desappearing of smaller farms Bigger farms encumbered with debts Fear of investments and bigger changes Huge problem of unlegalised farms Restrictive local spatial plans Slow administration

Conclusion our key to efficiency COMMUNICATION Essential – active (daily based) exchange of information between the project team, donors, implementing entities and stakeholders. MEASUREMENT - EVALUATION - CORRECTION Essential – constant supervision of the activities and measurement of the results. CONCLUSIONS - CORRECTIONS PLAN Essential – translate the global project plan to specific monthly and weekly steps and include them in reporting format PLAN COMMUNICATION

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