Dedić: Crop coverage should be higher, reduce dependence on food imports

(Patria) - Federal Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry Šemsudin Dedić visited agricultural producers in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton and Canton 10, it was announced from the Federal Ministry. In Livno, he discussed the state of agriculture with agricultural producers, the problems they face due to the increase in prices of raw materials and energy on the global market, and the plans and support measures for this year. Halil Omanović, director of the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) through which the IFAD project is being implemented, also attended the meeting and informed those present about the opportunities offered within the new project.

On that occasion, the minister also visited the company Laktal, which, within its own farm and property in Tomislavgrad, owns 126 heads and is engaged in milk production. Džemal Hadžić, the owner of this farm, imported 21 highly pregnant heifers and expanded production.

 “We have been engaged in milk production since 2007. This year will be difficult due to the increase in prices of raw materials and energy. We hope for increased support this year, and for our part, we plan to increase milk production,” said Hadžić.

Minister Dedić emphasized that agricultural production is in the interest of the entire country and all citizens, especially in the current period when food prices are continuously rising.

„Total funds for agriculture from the municipal, cantonal, and federal levels exceed 160 million KM. We have also launched an initiative that from the planned grant funds in the amount of 200 million KM for support to cantonal budgets from the FBiH Budget for 2022, criteria be set to direct at least another 20% of these funds to agricultural production, which would ensure even greater support for production and reduce the negative impacts of price increases. The sown area, in this year which is already very challenging according to all indicators, should be larger. Reducing dependence on food imports means that we all must do more to increase domestic food production for which we have all the prerequisites,” said Minister Dedić.

During the tour of fields with perennial berry plantations in the Mostar area, it was emphasized that the projects were supported through previous IFAD projects.

“Activities from previous IFAD projects continue in the same form, so IFAD 8 will invest approximately 12.5 million KM in such and similar forms of establishing perennial plantations this year, of which project funds are around 6.5 million KM with a 40% participation for men and 60% for women in the total investment. We can expect the project to support around 3,300 individual small farmers,” said Omanović.

“Land preparation before sowing is underway, and spring sowing is ahead of us, which is intensively taking place in most parts of our country during April. I believe that a large number of our citizens who have agricultural land will also carry out sowing for their own needs,” said Minister Dedić.

The Ministry announced that on this occasion, expectations were also expressed that next week the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliament will adopt amendments to the Law on Excise Duties in BiH, which will abolish excise duties on petroleum products, thus making fuel prices cheaper. Also, due to high prices and shortages of mineral fertilizers on the world and domestic markets, activities have been initiated to abolish customs duties on the import of mineral fertilizers from third countries, and an initiative has been sent to the Republic of Turkey to grant BiH an export quota of 50,000 tons of mineral fertilizer, which has been accepted.

Ensuring the necessary quantities of fuel and mineral fertilizers in the upcoming spring sowing, urgent adoption of the FBiH Budget for 2022, adoption of the Program of Monetary Support and operationalization of support measures from the cantonal and federal levels, and greater support for farmers will help the sustainability and further development of agricultural production, it was announced from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry.