Agroeconomia Croatica, Vol. 9 No. 1, 2019.
Preliminary communication
Economics of ancient grains production
Tajana Čop
orcid.org/0000-0002-1792-263X
; University in Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb, Zagreb
Klara Krmpotić
; University in Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb, Zagreb
Mario Njavro
; University in Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb, Zagreb
Abstract
Alternative crops are one year and several years types of botanical families, and the largest ones are ancient grains, which have been used in the past but have been replaced by other production or modern high-production varieties. The most numerous group are alternative cereals. The alternative cereals belong to the Wheat (Triticum) – spelt, einkorn, emmer and kamut. For these cereals are also used terms old grains or ancient grains in English. Alternative cultures are interesting again because of their beneficial effects on human health, positive nutritional characteristics, and individuals aspirations to increase dietary diversity. On the other hand, disadvantages are lower yields and an underdevolped market. Alternative cultures are grown in the world and Croatia in organic production systems. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the impact of alternative crops cultivation on agricultural income and farms’ jobs diversification. On the basis of production calculation, the performance indicators and the breakeven were calculated in organic production of spelt, einkorn, and emmer. The results show that the production of alternative cereals is more profitable than conventional and even organic wheat production. Economy of production in conventional wheat production is 1.18, and in organic production of 3.30. Indicators for einkorn and emmer are slightly lower. There is a similar relationship in productivity and profitability, in which wheat is left behind organic production of alternative cereals. Large areas of unused lands, relatively low investment, low soil requirements, significant demand and profitability are the arguments for increasing the production of alternative cereals in Croatia, especially in organic production systems.
Keywords
economics; spelt; einkorn; emmer; kamut
Hrčak ID:
231058
URI
Publication date:
17.11.2019.
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