Visit to farmers and livestock breeders from Stari Grad: Support in the form of incentives and machinery

SARAJevo, (Patria) - In 2020, the Municipality of Stari Grad donated a total of 29 greenhouses and more than 3,000 seedlings to residents who decided to engage in greenhouse production. Approximately 1,200 kg of seed potatoes and onions were also distributed, while beekeepers from this municipality received donations in the form of new beehives, bees, and wax. Those engaged in livestock farming have so far received over 10,000 KM in financial aid for the purchase of hay for sheep and goats, livestock feed, and poultry feed. This enabled citizens to more easily overcome the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which has certainly affected their businesses, yields, and product sales.

In order to get acquainted with the situation of farmers in this municipality, the mayor, Mr. Ibrahim Hadžibajrić, accompanied by his associates, visited several farms in Mošćanica today and spoke with citizens about their needs. He stated that farmers and livestock breeders must not be forgotten, as they too are suffering the consequences of the corona pandemic on the economy and business. In addition to the increased number of infected and ill people, there is also a growing number of those who are losing their jobs and who also need help. Many people have decided to engage in farming, and they need support.

"Our plan for next year is to provide incentives in livestock farming and agriculture through the procurement of machinery for our citizens. Through the budget, we will plan financial resources for the procurement of certain machinery for land cultivation and donate it to those who are already engaged in it or to those who decide to engage in farming," announced Mayor Hadžibajrić.

"Every effort of our citizens should be supported and encouraged, because this is a difficult and demanding job, and at the same time, for many of them, it is their only source of income, and we, as a local community, must stand by these people," announced Mayor Hadžibajrić.

Elvir Omeragić from Donje Biosko has been engaged in livestock farming since 2008 and has a farm of 240 sheep. His family of six survives thanks to this farm, in addition to which they also engage in farming and grow almost all types of vegetables. They are not afraid of working the land and with livestock, but the corona has led to sales almost completely stopping.

"We mainly raise sheep for meat and wool, which, unfortunately, is not valued. The pandemic period has brought very poor sales; from March until Kurban Bayram, we sold nothing. A lot of livestock remained, so we recently carried out a humanitarian action, donating ten qurbans to the Stari Grad soup kitchen," explained Elvir.

"The municipality has assisted me again this year in the form of financial aid for the purchase of livestock feed so that the sheep can survive the winter. We also received help for livestock vaccination. We believe in the promises of the municipal mayor that he will continue to support our work next year, and that is what makes us happy. The only income we have is from livestock, and it is good to know that someone stands behind us and provides support so that we can continue to engage in this work, which requires many sacrifices, but we have no other options," he said.

Raspberry and livestock farming in Faletići

In Faletići, on an area of ten dunams, Armin Delić grows raspberries. He started this business four years ago, and this year has been very difficult for him as well.

"In previous years, the purchase price of raspberries was very poor. Only this year did we get a proper price, which is 4 KM per kilogram, but we still haven't received the money for what we sold to the cold storage. This is a problem for us because we had to pay the raspberry pickers immediately," explained Armin. He harvested about 2.5 tons of raspberries this year and hoped for good earnings, and as he says, the whole family is involved in the business.

Not far from his plantation, also in Faletići, lives Šaćira Fočo, who is engaged in livestock breeding, production and sale of milk and dairy products, and farming.

"I have five dairy cows, about 100 sheep and lambs. I make sour and sweet milk, cheese, and cream. I work a lot, what can I do, I have to. The year is very bad, in every aspect, nothing good. We managed to gather enough hay for the winter," said this hardworking woman. Without the help of the local community and the municipal mayor, from whom she had previously received incentives and a greenhouse, she says it would be difficult.

"I am very grateful to the mayor and the municipality for their help. If health permits, I wish to expand and improve our work. A small tractor would mean a lot to me for cultivating part of the land, hauling manure, and bringing in hay, as I currently have to pay others for these services. I am truly pleased that the mayor announced that the Municipality will be providing machinery from next year, and I will definitely apply because it would mean a lot to me," said Šaćira.

In addition to Mayor Hadžibajrić, today's visit was also attended by the Assistant Mayor for Economy Aldiana Kavazović, Assistant Mayor for Local Development and Local Community Affairs Selma Velić, and Assistant Mayor for Public Relations Almedina Porča.