Džubur: Emergency measures in the agricultural sector

SARAJevo, (Patria) - In line with the new situation in the agricultural sector, it is necessary to create a plan of intervention, emergency measures to ensure sufficient production of plant and animal food in 2020, which is threatened by disruptions in the supply chain of raw materials, seeds, planting material, and protective agents, which have largely been procured from abroad in the past few decades, mostly from Italy.

"Any absence of adequate measures will undoubtedly further reduce food production in the Federation, which will undoubtedly have strategic importance, given that numerous countries have announced bans on the export of agricultural raw materials and products until the global situation with the coronavirus stabilizes. Food production is of the highest strategic interest to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is necessary to immediately inventory all agricultural products of plant and animal origin produced in the Federation of BiH based on the current register of farms and companies and relevant data from statistical offices. Based on the analyses performed, it is necessary to create an urgent plan to increase production in all sectors where current production is insufficient in terms of consumption within BiH and meeting the needs of the domestic population," believes Ahmed Džubur, a federal representative.

It is necessary, he adds, to pay all planned incentives by April 15, 2020, or in full, so that agricultural producers are in a position to timely procure seeds, planting material, fertilizers, protective agents, irrigation systems, raw materials, and all necessary equipment.

"Delays in payments at this moment are unforgivable and unacceptable, and additional efforts must be made IMMEDIATELY AND NOW to complete this task in a manner required by the emergency situation. Failure to react in these days that determine the volume and quality of plant and animal production in 2020 could have unforeseeable consequences for the population of the Federation of BiH, as cereals, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meat will be characterized as deficit strategic products that will be difficult to obtain through imports. I propose that, in accordance with the emergency situation caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the program for the expenditure of incentive funds be urgently amended in order to act urgently in the new situation and reallocate funds to favor support for lacking production in the plant and animal sectors," Džubur states.

It is necessary, he believes, in the domain of production of raw materials and products of plant and animal origin, more than in any other economic activity, to reprogram and freeze loan repayments without default interest.