Energy system at Katai farm - Charms of rural life, traditional cuisine, bakery museum on an estate near Mali Idjos

(Katai farm)

Katai farm is a small oasis in the heart of Vojvodina where, aside from enjoying beautiful natural charms, visitors have a chance to get familiar with rural customs and taste the dishes of the traditional Serbian cuisine. This farm in the vicinity of Mali Idjos exists since 1996 and it has recently got an energy system that uses water and solar power as fuel.

It is a technological innovation enabling the use of water from the lake or wells for heating the rooms at the farm by means of heating pumps or solar collectors. The Provincial Secretariat for Energy has provided EUR 15,000 for the implementation of this project, of which total value is EUR 45,000. The energy generated in this way is 3 to 4 times cheaper than electric energy, natural gas or fossil fuels. The investment return period ranges between three and seven years, depending on the degree of use.

The complex at Katai farm comprises an ethno house, a guest house, a house at the lake's bank, and a bakery museum – the facilities pointing to traditional building values of Vojvodina. The farm has 70 beds, while rooms include 2, 4, 5, 6, or 8 beds.

The farm's core activity is the organization of outdoor classes, as well as excursions for primary school pupils. In addition to these activities, the farm was also the host of various seminars, conferences, summers schools, camps, etc.

With the help of entertainers and guides, various activities and programs are organized, enabling the guests to: get familiar with farm animals, ride a horse or a donkey, drive a tractor, make handicrafts using various techniques, take interesting quizzes, visit the bakery and ethno museums, the lake, participate in walking tours, collect medicinal herbs, enjoy a rich evening program, etc. Kids usually spend their leisure time playing at well-equipped and safe playgrounds.

There is an ethno house at the bank of the artificial lake. That is where the old, rural way of life and all its beauties and charms are revived. The visitors who wish for a rustic experience can come here to "disconnect" themselves from the busy external world. The newly built section situated next to the house at the bank comprises modern rooms with 3 and 5 beds and separate bathrooms.

The playground and the artificial lake, which is perfect for fishing and bathing, offer both smaller groups and families with small children an unforgettable chance to relax and have fun.

The guest house next to the house at the lake's bank opened its door in April 2008. It comprises one six-bed, one five-bed, and four two-bed rooms. Each room has a separate bathroom. The guest house also includes a sauna and a hydro-massage bath. The dining room in the guest house is big enough for 70 people and it is suitable for celebrations, smaller wedding parties, seminars, birthday parties, anniversaries, etc.

The bakery museum is a family heritage. It is the place where all interested people can get familiar with the baking craft and the process of bread making. The museum was renovated in 2004 when everything was returned to the initial state and all still existing tools and means required for that craft were collected and put on display.

What is also interesting about the bakery museum is that guests can fire up the furnace, kids can get a real specialty - the Transylvanian cake, while those older can even try to bake this cake by themselves.

Mali Idjos

Mali Idjos is a settlement in the heart of Backa, situated alongside both banks of the Krivaja brook, embraced by Telecka hill, half a way from Subotica to Novi Sad. This settlement has about 5,800 inhabitants, most of whom are Hungarians, but there are also Serbs and Roma people.

S.O.