Marija Cafuk has been actively involved in the production of vegetables and is a well-known producer of the Varazdin cabbage, maintaining the tradition of growing and pickling the cabbage. Marija has made major contribution to the Varazdin cabbage protection process at EU level leading to its Protected Designation of Origin status.
Furthermore, she has been involved in the preparation of a book and monography about the Varazdin cabbage as well as several other contributions to books on domestic products to promote the traditions within the rural environment. She is an active participant in the Varazdin County project Experimental – demonstration field which is aimed at demonstrating the numerous ways agrotechnical measure related to reducing carbon emissions, conserving biodiversity, and preserving resilient domestic cultivars adapted to climate change can be implemented.
This has led to improving the knowledge transfer and strengthening the connections between research and practical applications on farms. Through the project she demonstrates how the farm contributes to climate mitigation and reducing greenhouse gases through new tillage techniques and the sustainable management of the farm with the help of energy sources. The project included climate-smart agriculture and an approach that helps guide the activities needed to transform and reorientate agricultural systems to effectively support development and ensure
food production and food supply security. She promotes the importance of soil preservation as an important natural resource, coupled with water, oxygen, and nutrients necessary for plant growth. She also presents the importance of preserving biodiversity and landscape together with importance of preserving domestic varieties and cultivars as
important genetic resources. Through the project, the results of improving competitiveness and higher agricultural productivity in a sustainable way of management were achieved, enabling the effective response to the challenges associated with the growing demand for agricultural products with limited resources and increasingly pronounced climate change. As a model of a successful Farm, Marija receives groups of visitors from different countries as well as from students and children. She has been awarded several times for her contribution to the development of
agriculture in the Varazdin County.
In addition, Marija is the secretary of the Association of Ploughman’s as well as an active member of the Municipal Council Agriculture Committee, County Union of Agricultural Associations and Varazdin Pumpkin Seed Oil
Association.
