Agroecology as a factor of economic development

The term agroecology (AE) is very broad and it is understood as a responsible way of life according to the tradition of the local environment. The approaches that are developed in Slovenia and in which we can find the content of AE, are limited to single segments of the term. Thus Organic Farming (OF) means farming according to EU guidelines, which takes into account the relationship to plants and animals, but they are not based on heritage or tradition and they do not direct natural resources in the direction of energy-saving use. OF knows irrigation and reclamation of land, ploughing, spraying and protective agents. OF procedures are certified and as such generally applicable everywhere, regardless of location, tradition or the conditions of nature (Online source 2). Typical of biodynamic agriculture is the compliance with the rhythm of nature and to understand the cosmic forces and energies of the Earth, such as ethers. This is the highest level of responsible attitude to nature, but is not officially supported since it is not interesting for biodynamic agricultural markets because it does not use poisons (Online source 1). AE deals with contents as ecology in agriculture, organic farming, sustainable agriculture, green agriculture, permaculture, ecoremediations, integrated farming and natural agriculture. According to the official definition, the term AE means the use of traditional practices that are consistent with the characteristics of the local environment and do not limit only on food production, but also on food processing (recipes), products made from natural materials, especially wood, stone and construction as well as on ways of sustainable relationship to nature (water storage, attitude to water use, attitude to soil, shallow ploughing, attitudes toward animals, plants). We have discovered the concept of AE and its use and influence in Croatia.