BAD FORECAST Farmers are not optimistic about wheat yield

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Wheat harvest in the BiH entity of Republika Srpska begins next week, and farmers are concerned about the drought, which they say could affect the yield, but they emphasize that the best indicator will be when the combine harvester starts harvesting.

Namely, farmers from Serbia, where the wheat harvest began a few days ago, emphasize that the drought has significantly affected the yield.

The president of the Alliance of Agricultural Producers' Associations of Republika Srpska, Stojan Marinković, told "Nezavisne" that due to the reduced application of mineral fertilizers, a lower yield than expected can be anticipated.

"Given that we had a reduced application of mineral fertilizers, a lower yield can be expected; however, the recent rains that have fallen in our area can improve the situation, of course, excluding those areas where hail has negatively affected the wheat," said Marinković.

According to him, when the first cuts of the harvest are made, it will be known with certainty what the yield is.

"In some neighboring countries where the harvest has already begun, yields are lower than expected," said Marinković.

As he points out, in places where the soil was shallower, lower yields are guaranteed.

"The harvest in some parts of Republika Srpska begins in a few days, while the main harvest will start in 10 days," said Marinković.

According to him, wheat is a commodity traded on the stock exchange, and farmers have never been able to influence its price.

"We have never been able to influence its price; only a price exceeding 0.80 to 0.90 KM would help us, which is impossible, as it will not be higher than 0.60 KM," said Marinković.

He appeals to all farmers to store their wheat in warehouses until the end of the harvest, when the price can be expected to be higher.

As Savo Bakajlić, president of the Regional Association of Farmers of Semberija and Majevica, told "Nezavisne novine," whether the drought has affected the wheat will be seen when the harvest begins.

"Our situation is very similar to that in Serbia, but we will know best when the harvest begins, that is, when the combine harvester enters the field and starts harvesting," said Bakajlić.

He adds that the harvest in the Semberija and Majevica region will begin in five days.

We remind you that Bakajlić recently stated that the price of wheat this season should enable the survival of producers.

"We are waiting for the wheat harvest to begin to see the quality, and then we will set a realistic price so that we can survive and have something to sow in the fall," said Bakajlić.

He emphasized that agricultural producers were significantly burdened by the cost of raw materials, which also disrupted the price, and stated that the Association would invite relevant institutions, primarily the BiH Presidency member Milorad Dodik, to a meeting to discuss the general situation among farmers.