Production Of Sunflower And Rapeseed In Metropolitan Area Belgrade-Novi Sad As Support To Beekeeping Development

In the paper authors analyzed production of sunflower and rapeseed in the metropolitan area Belgrade-Novi Sad, considering the fact that these are economically very important melifferous plants. Authors presented the relation that exists between crops production and beekeeping, from the aspect of ecological and economic benefits. Special emphasis is put on the connection of ecological crop farming and beekeeping. In Vojvodina, sunflower is third the most important crop, after wheat and maize. Sunflower is one of the most important melliferous plants in our country, whose yield depends on pollination successfulness by bees, which activity depends on amount and quality of nectar related to plant variety, sowing time, applied agro-techniques, soil moisture and rainfall, during flowering. In compare to sunflower, which is entirely cross-pollinating plant, rapeseed is partially cross-pollinating plant, which can be pollinated by bees. In both cases, benefits from this mutual “bee-plant” activity, have both crop farmers and beekeepers. Each year, ecological production is increasing. Ecological crop farming combined with beekeeping practice contributes to biodiversity preservation together with favorable social and economic effects. Successful ecological crop production considers, among other, using of domestic varieties adapted to local environmental conditions and therefore more resistant to pests and diseases. On the other hand, one of the basic demands of ecological honey production is pasture on crops non-treated with artificial chemicals or on areas under natural vegetation. Also, in ecological production it is not allowed to use genetically modified crops and honey, which contains pollen gathered from genetically modified plants, must be properly labeled. Certificate about ecological production is a guarantee of product's safety for people and environment. Considering that demand for ecological products increases each year, which is the result of increased fear of consumers regarding non-quality food with possible negative health consequences, possible strategy of agricultural producers could be their reorientation on ecological farming methods. For the analysis of sunflower and rapeseed production in metropolitan area Belgrade-Novi Sad, authors used official data of Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia for period 2001-2012. Data are used for obtaining descriptive statistical parameters interpreted in the paper. Metropolitan area Belgrade-Novi Sad includes 11 municipalities: Beočin, City of Belgrade, Inđija, Irig, City of Novi Sad, Pančevo, Pećinci, Ruma, Smederevo, Sremski Karlovci and Stara Pazova. Besides official statistics data, authors used relevant domestic and foreign scientific and professional literature presented by: papers published in scientific journals and proceedings, books and monographs, reports at national and international level. According to available statistical data, metropolitan area has 537.449 ha of agricultural land, which is 10,5% of agricultural land in the Republic of Serbia. In observed area, industrial crops are produced on 13% of arable land. One third of areas under industrial crops are covered by sunflower, while rapeseed is produced on 2,3% of these areas, in average. By comparing variation coefficients it can be concluded that variability of areas under rapeseed is 5,7 times larger than variability of areas under sunflower. In average, the most significant areas under sunflower are in Belgrade, than Ruma and Pančevo, while the most significant areas under rapeseed are in Pančevo, Belgrade and Inđija. However, in 2012, the largest areas under sunflower were in Pančevo, Pećinci and Belgrade, while rapeseed was presented the most in Belgrade and Ruma. Areas under sunflower have negative average rate of change (-1,52%), while areas under rapeseed have positive rate of change (16,72%). Total sunflower production in metropolitan area varies from 29.618 - 51.456 tons annually, with average rate of change -0,08%, which can be explained by decreasing of areas under this crop during the last years. Variability of total production is 14,56%. However, variability of rapeseed production is about 6 times higher, but with positive average rate of change (18,34%). Average rapeseed production at the territory of metropolitan is 3.500 tons annually. Average sunflower yields in metropolitan area are about 2 t/ha and are lower than the republic average which is 2,2 t/ha. Authors determined positive rate of change of yield per hectare 0,28%, with variation coefficient 8,30%. Rapeseed yield is about 1,3 t/ha, which is also lower than republic average, with high variation coefficient and positive average rate of change (9,9%) in observed period. To improve and support beekeeping development it is important to stimulate production of sunflower and rapeseed and especially, development of ecological methods of crop farming for the purpose of production of products with added value, more attractive for export at foreign markets.