We are sharing the announcement from Virovitica-Podravina County about our agricultural story, and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for recognizing the efforts and innovation potential of OPG Darijo Sajko.
In the heart of Slavonia, in the village of Čađavica, a truly unique agricultural story is unfolding — the story of Darijo Sajko, a young farmer whose work is increasingly crossing local boundaries and becoming a European example of sustainable agriculture. His innovative approach and clear vision for the future earned him third place in the competition for the best young farmer organized by Jutarnji list — but for Darijo, this is only the beginning.
At OPG Sajko, Darijo has succeeded in “closing the loop” of production — merging nature, technology, and the market into a functional, energy-independent system. Last year, he launched a thermogeneration plant worth €1.4 million, 70% of which was financed by the European Union funds. On the roof of the plant, a solar power station produces electricity, while inside, everything revolves around a key plant — chamomile.
“When I started working with chamomile, I realized it didn’t make sense without my own drying facility,” says Sajko.
Today, he operates 12 dryers that run non-stop during the season. The chamomile heads are dried for further sale, while the leftovers — like stems and straw — are used to produce pellets. These pellets are then used as fuel for heating water in the system, achieving complete thermal independence without relying on gas or oil.
“Some people laughed when I decided to use pellets, saying gas was cheaper, but my goal was energy independence and sustainability,” Sajko points out. His system not only saves energy but also reduces CO₂ emissions, giving the entire process an ecological dimension.
He pays special attention to the quality of chamomile, proudly claiming that Croatian chamomile is the best in the world.
“When I saw what kind of chamomile was offered at the world’s largest trade fair in Nuremberg, I knew we had nothing to worry about. We have the sun, we have the land — we have everything.”
He says the potential for growing chamomile in Slavonia is huge. It is not just a means of earning, but also the foundation for a new, sustainable story of the Slavonian countryside — one in which technology is a partner of nature, not its enemy.
The significance of this project has been recognized even at higher levels, as shown by the visit of Virovitica-Podravina County Prefect Igor Andrović and his deputy Mario Klement, Members of Parliament Josip Đakić and Vesna Bedeković, State Secretary Darko Nekić, and Čađavica Mayor Mirko Rončević.
Darijo Sajko sends a clear message: Slavonia can and must be a leader in smart, green agriculture. And if anyone knows how that looks in practice — it is him and his family.
(www.vpz.hr, Photos: Kristijan Toplak)
