Minister Hrnjić: 4.7 million KM for young people to start businesses in agriculture

(Patria) - The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry organized a formal award ceremony today at the seat of the FBiH Government in Sarajevo for 100 young farmers who have qualified for financial support within the measure of Starting a Business for Young Farmers.

The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH Nermin Nikšić, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Finance Toni Kraljević, and Federal Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry Kemal Hrnjić.

Hrnjić congratulated the beneficiaries and emphasized the importance of increasing funds allocated to young farmers from the planned three to 4.7 million KM, thereby enabling strong support for young people starting or improving their own farms.

- Behind each of these hundred farmers is a decision to stay, to work, to build, and to believe in their own potential. That is why we have provided 4.7 million KM to give them a stable start, free of burdens, debts, and the fear of starting a business with too few resources.

This is an investment in their future and the future of the Federation of BiH. Our goal is for young people to see a perspective in agriculture, and for every farm, regardless of how remote or modest it is, to have an opportunity for growth. Investments in young farmers pay off manifold - in food, labor, and the future of our communities - Hrnjić said.

In his address to the young farmers, Prime Minister Nikšić emphasized that the FBiH Government is committed to supporting young people in their endeavors to create their business paths in the Federation of BiH.

- It is our obligation to provide them with the conditions to stay, work, and build their lives here. This is an investment in a more stable, secure, and productive Federation. Young people starting their own farms bring new strength to our economy, and the Government will continue to stand by them on that path - said Nikšić.

The Federal Ministry states that within this measure, 243 applications were received, for which financial support was provided to 101 beneficiaries, in the maximum amount of up to 50,000 KM per beneficiary, co-financed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in 100 percent of the amount.

Young people will invest the allocated funds in the purchase of breeding stock (heifers of dairy and beef breeds, sheep, goats) and the construction and equipping of greenhouses.

Beneficiaries have committed not to sell or gift the breeding stock for the next five years, ensuring the long-term sustainability of investments and strengthening local production.

Support was granted to young farmers from 40 municipalities in the Federation of BiH, and by cantons after the publication of the ranking list, the most beneficiaries come from the Una-Sana and Central Bosnia Cantons (20 beneficiaries each).

These are followed by Zenica-Doboj and Canton 10 (15 beneficiaries each), West Herzegovina Canton (14 beneficiaries), Tuzla Canton (10 beneficiaries), Sarajevo Canton (4 beneficiaries), Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (2 beneficiaries), and Bosanska-Podrinje Canton Goražde (1 beneficiary).

Complete ranking lists are available on the website of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry.

The Ministry adds that today's award ceremony sent a clear message that young people who have decided to build their future in the agricultural sector of the Federation of BiH have the support of the relevant federal ministry and the Government of the Federation of BiH.