Livestock and the development of organic livestock production in hilly and mountainous areas on the basis of available resources in Serbia

Serbia has extraordinary conditions for considerably bigger herbal and livestock organic production. The constant growth of the demand for the organic products in the world points to the fact that this method of production can be extremely profitable if natural resources, knowledge and productive experience are used in the right way. Most of natural meadows and pastures in Serbia are situated in hilly and mountainous areas. Agricultural activities were extinguished due to the depopulation trend. Therefore the development of intensive production wasn’t achieved. The aim of this paper is to point out the possibility and perspective of livestock development, according to the existing conditions, and the necessity of realization of planned investment programs on the state level. Also, its aim is to underline the possibility of development of organic production in rural areas. Considering the preservation of nature and existing economic aspect, there are possibilities for organic production of meat, milk and dairies. The results of statistic data of livestock fund are also presented in this paper, as well as percentile share of meadow and pasture participation in total usage of agricultural areas in the counties of the Republic of Serbia. The Law of organic production and related regulations were adopted by the state and subsidies for the production of this type were given as well. The result was that first producers were converted to this kind of agricultural production. Also, the analyzed state of organic livestock production in the world and Europe (EU) points to the institutional and natural conditions for the organic development in Serbia, and to the basic recommendations for its development.