New Head of Istrian Garlic Producers Reveals Plan
Under new leadership, the Istrian garlic producers' association aims to produce its own certified seed and protect authenticity, all to meet the growing demand for this indigenous delicacy.
Under new leadership, the Istrian garlic producers' association aims to produce its own certified seed and protect authenticity, all to meet the growing demand for this indigenous delicacy.
Istrian red garlic has no shortage of buyers; on the contrary, demand is up to three times higher than current production. While around twenty members of the Istrian Garlic Producers' Association produce about five tons annually, the new president of the Association, Dean Pamić Nefat, announces concrete steps to increase production. After the successful seventh Istrian Garlic Festival in Poreč, the focus now shifts to the basics, producing certified seed.
One of the key challenges facing producers is the lack of quality seed material. This was the central topic of a roundtable held during the Festival, attended by producers, Istrian County Prefect Boris Miletić, Head of Department Ezio Pinzan, Poreč Mayor Loris Peršurić, and AZZRI Director Igor Merlić.
Pamić Nefat highlights that support has come from the top of the county. "They expressed a desire to support us in producing quality seed material. We have two larger members who grow garlic on bigger plots and are interested in becoming certified seed producers," Pamić Nefat told Istra Terra Magica. The initial goal is ambitious yet realistic: "If we could start with a ton of certified seed material, that would already be very good. We have the potential for that."
The path to certified seed is not just about fields and harvest. Extensive paperwork is a heavy burden for producers. The Institute for Agriculture and Tourism in Poreč should play a key role here. "The Institute has given us tremendous support at all levels. We need their knowledge and experts who can help us, as well as assistance with the paperwork. The administration required for seed certification is extensive, and this kind of expert support means a lot to us," explained the Association's president.
He added that a good portion of the necessary documentation has already been prepared and that they are well on their way to achieving this goal.
Pamić Nefat does not hide that behind Istrian garlic production are primarily enthusiasts. "They are enthusiasts. People who don't just look at profit but are in love with this story. Many also grow other crops alongside garlic. If you compared the earnings with other businesses, you might not even do this. But profit isn't our only priority," he said.
In addition to seed production, the Association is intensively working on obtaining a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for Istrian red garlic, which almost all producers are focused on. Currently, producers carry the IQ, Istrian Quality label, which guarantees controlled quality and origin. At this year's Festival, labels were awarded to ten producers, including PG Monteistra, OPG Pamić Nefat, OPG Zoran Celić, and others.
The seventh Istrian Garlic Festival was held on August 1 and 2 at Freedom Square in Poreč and once again demonstrated the strength of this event. "As long as the Festival lives, the story of Istrian garlic lives," Pamić Nefat emphasized. However, his vision goes beyond the two-day event.
"My idea is to expand the Association's activities throughout the year. We have the Festival, but we also need an educational component, work on production and sales, and help producers," he said. Further development of the Festival with an international character is also planned, given the interest already coming from Slovenia and Italy.
An invitation for collaboration has been extended to all producers in Istria. "Any producer growing garlic in Istria can contact us and will receive help. If we all work together and stick together, we have a future," concluded Pamić Nefat.
