Farmer Dario Sajko switches from wheat to high-profit wild fennel

Dario Sajko, a farmer from Čađavica in the Virovitica-Podravina County, has transitioned from traditional wheat and corn production to cultivating wild fennel on 150 hectares. This shift was driven by the low profitability and high debt associated with traditional crops.

Wild fennel offers significantly higher returns, with prices ranging from 2 to 3.5 euros per kilogram, compared to just 15 to 17 cents for wheat. The crop is highly resilient, requiring no fertilization, irrigation, pesticides, or spraying, and is resistant to drought. It is used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and tea industries.

Sajko noted that the low-maintenance nature of the plant reduces operational costs, such as fuel and machinery amortization. In addition to fennel, his farm also produces chamomile.