Croatia Agriculture Pollution Control project Hrvoje Horvat, MAFRD, project coordinator

Introduction of the Project Founded by GEF, implemented through WB from the 2008. 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) part of an overall program of the government of Croatia to undertake actions for EU compliance in the agricultural sector.

Project Objectives & Outcomes

Project Objectives & Outcomes Key indicators include: At least 40% of the farming population in the project areas adopting preventive and remedial measures to reduce nutrient discharges; At least a 10% reduction in discharge of nutrients into surface and groundwater in the three project regions; Increased national awareness of linkages between local actions and impact on water nutrient load.

Results in Stress Reduction At least 40% of the farming population in the project areas adopting preventive and remedial measures to reduce nutrient discharge – 30% according to APCP surveys (started with “few”) At least 200 ha of pilot GAP demonstration sites in each of the three counties (600 ha in total) – contracted 87 farmers with 710 hectares in total Percentage of cropped area in the project counties under relevant nutrient reduction measures. – 30% according to APCP surveys (started with <5%)

Results in Stress Reduction Percentage of livestock farms in three participating counties that have animal waste storages - 19% according to APCP surveys (started with 6%)

Results in Environmental Status Unified set of monitoring guidelines and standards for soil and water adopted and implemented – completed

Process Results Multi-annual applied research into economic crop fertilizer response successfully completed – 2 researches with 2 Agronomy faculties in the process of completion

Process Results Implementation of Code of Good Agricultural Practices – CGAP implemented, all Croatian farmers informed through available media and by receiving of CGAP related material on 85 000 home addresses Percentage increase of rural population in project and non-project areas aware of and initiating / implementing actions related to nutrient reduction – 81,5% of population are aware or initiating related nutrient actions according to APCP surveys (started with “very low if any”)  

Conclusion In 2,5 years of the team work • 31 on-farm investments contracted and under construction - 66 % of the investment funds contracted so far – ongoing process • analytical piezometer wells installed on 12 farms - more installations in progress • contracted 87 beneficiaries with 700 ha of GAP demonstration fields • ongoing applied researches with the Faculty of Agronomy in Zagreb and Osijek - three different programs • 3 sets of the field lysimeters– devices for analysis of percolating water installed in Varaždin county • 85 000 copies of "Good agricultural practice" brochures were distributed to addresses of all producers

Conclusion In 2,5 years of the team work • designed and produced 20 types of educational and promotional material • more than 300 seminars, workshops and media appearances conducted so far • 2 surveys of the producers were conducted and analised, third to be applied in 2012 • cooperation with the local community on education and informing of the farmers • successful cooperation with local community in helping of poultry producers in Varaždin county • joint educational activities with the Energy institute „Hrvoje Požar • well water analysis program started in pilot counties – more than 1400 so far • cooperation in education with three agriculture high schools in project counties • cooperation on education of farmers with largest Croatian food company Agrokor - project Agro academy

Conclusion Global and national context of the implementation Great economic crysis on the eve of t he project start Growing acomnomic 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

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