Only ‘buzz button’ edible flower grower in Croatia wins farmer of the year award
- by croatiaweek
- in News
ZAGREB, 22 July (Hina) – The best young farmer for 2022 is Ilija Jurić of Velika Kosnica, who grows edible flowers, microgreens and exotic herbs, and he was presented with the award on Thursday by Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković.
Jurić (31) is the only person in Croatia growing the the edible flower “buzz button”.
The buzz button is one of the common names of the flower of the Acmella oleracea plant, an herb that is used in cooking and traditional medicine and as an ornamental plant. Other common names include toothache plant, Szechuan buttons, paracress, tingflowers and electric daisy.
It is a yellow cone shaped flower that produce an tingly electrifying effect on the palette. With a hint of citrus flavor, this edible flower stimulates your taste buds with an exciting burst of energy.
The selection of this year’s best young farmer was organised by Croatian MEP Sunčana Glava, the Agriculture Ministry and Jutarnji List daily.
Jurić was one of 19 finalists. The title includes a HRK 25,000 reward.
Iljia Jurić (centre) collects his award (Photo: OPG Anto Jurić/Instagram)
Tvrtko Matijević was second and won HRK 15,000. He makes products based on bee poison. Mladen Cesarec, who makes pumpkin sin oil, came third, winning HRK 10,000.
The three best young farmers will also be provided with financial education and assistance in filling out applications for EU funds.
Agriculture Minister Marija Vučković underlined the role of young farmers in the generational renewal of villages.
Agriculture has always been carried by innovations and new practices, she added.
There are 24,591 young farmers active in Croatia, or 14.4% of all farmers, more than the EU average, she said, adding that the goal is to pass 20%.
Glavak said agriculture was the backbone of Europe’s and Croatia’s economies, and that young people were the bearers of change.
