41st Gradačac Fair – Plum Fair Opens

Federal Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry Jerko Ivanković Lijanović today opened the 41st International Fair of Agriculture and Food Industry – Plum Fair Gradačac. The ceremonial ribbon was jointly cut by Jerko Ivanković Lijanović, Minister of Agriculture of the RS Stevo Mirjanić, and Director of Solana Tuzla Izudin Kapetanović, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

On this occasion, Ivanković Lijanović stated that food production is a guarantee for the survival of the entire country, but that its production also faces aggravating circumstances.

- Producing food in BiH means being exposed to unfair competition from imports, being powerless to export products, and being exposed to various disasters. However, we will not allow ourselves to become dependent on imported food. We have a naturally rich land and very hardworking people, whom we will support when necessary, because that is our opportunity and obligation - he said.

Director of the Gradačac Fair, Husein Topčagić, pointed out that this was a difficult year for the economy, due to natural disasters and the economic crisis, and that it is necessary to help the development of BiH agriculture and the food industry.

- We are sending a message that our common desire and need is a single market in BiH, uniform incentives for agricultural producers and the food industry, and a state ministry of agriculture, so that we can present ourselves uniformly on other markets - said Topčagić.

At this year's event, until August 30, around 230 producers and processors of food, protective agents, mineral fertilizers and agricultural machinery from BiH, Croatia, Serbia, Turkey and Jordan will present themselves. As in previous years, this year's Plum Fair will also host the traditional scientific-professional conference "AgroTech" and the awarding of medals for product quality. The conference will have an international character, and current topics in the field of agriculture will be presented by professors from the faculties of agriculture in Sarajevo and Zemun (Serbia). Special attention will be paid to topics on the continuation of production after the floods that caused great damage to agricultural areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia.

This year as well, the municipalities of Brčko, Bihać and Goražde, as well as several cantonal chambers of commerce and groups of agricultural producers and processors, are presenting themselves at the Fair with collective presentations of economic potentials. Tourist potentials will be presented by the Tourist Association of the Federation of BiH and the Tourist Association of the Tuzla Canton. This economic-tourist event will be accompanied by a rich cultural and entertainment program organized by the municipality of Gradačac, reports Patria.