51st International Plum Fair in Gradačac Concluded, Over 300 Exhibitors Presented

(Patria) - The 51st International Agriculture and Food Industry Fair - Plum Fair concluded today in Gradačac, where over the past four days, more than 300 exhibitors from Bosnia and Herzegovina, regional countries, Germany, and Turkey presented themselves in approximately five thousand square meters.

The organizer of this traditional fair event was the Tourist Board of the City of Gradačac, with the support of the City of Gradačac and numerous partners and sponsors.

"We are very satisfied because all planned activities have been realized. I especially highlight the professional and scientific lectures that were very substantive and, I hope, useful for all participants. At the end of August, Gradačac was once again the center of economic, scientific, tourist, and cultural events in the region. We had numerous guests from home and abroad. We expect the establishment of cooperation between the local administrations of Gradačac and the German city of Karlsruhe. I thank the exhibitors, patrons, sponsors, and business partners without whose support we could not have organized this economic-tourism event in our city," said Amir Pašalić, head of the Tourist Office in Gradačac.

Collective exhibitions predominated at the Plum Fair, and renowned companies in the field of food production and processing, protective agents, machinery and equipment, institutions and organizations supporting agricultural development, and the banking sector presented themselves at the stands.

The City of Srebrenik, Municipality of Modriča, Municipality of Doboj-Istok, Canton Sarajevo - Association of Domestic Producers and Sellers of Domestic Products “Naše avlije” Sarajevo, Employers’ Association of Brčko District BiH, Cantonal Chamber of Commerce TK, Chamber of Commerce USK, Tourist Board TK, and numerous citizens' associations had the opportunity to present products of local producers and processors.

At economic and scientific-professional gatherings, the importance of knowledge transfer, innovation, and research in agriculture was emphasized, creating opportunities for the competitiveness of our farmers in foreign markets. Climate change, comparative advantages of using indigenous fruits, and modern approaches to plum protection were discussed. New legal regulations in the field of phytopharmaceutical agents and the application of microbiological preparations were presented, as well as modern approaches to plant protection that can be used in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Plum Fair in Gradačac was an opportunity to present new technological achievements in agriculture alongside scientific presentations. As last year, the Sarajevo-based company diVision Agro, which deals with agricultural digitalization, presented new, faster, and more practical solutions for agricultural producers.

The drone, used for applying phytopharmaceutical agents and equipped with a tank for spraying mineral substances as well as medium to small seeds, attracted the most attention. It can be used for pollination treatments when plants are in that phenophase. This drone increases the efficiency of a farm or holding by up to 30 percent in treatment application compared to other available tractors, sprayers, mulchers, and atomizers.

A robotic mower, specially designed for mulching and controlled by remote control or GPS guidance depending on the model, for mowing park areas, slopes, and solar farms, was presented at the Plum Fair. To facilitate the work of farmers, meteorological stations and sensors for smart agriculture, LED lights for indoor cultivation, and the online platform AgroMonitor were offered.

These technological achievements will be very significant in the future due to the labor shortage and the declining interest in agriculture.

Nevertheless, it is worth noting that 3,000 tons of plums were purchased in Gradačac this year, which were exported to foreign markets or for industrial processing. At the traditional “Plava noć” (Blue Night), acknowledgments were presented to plum purchasers from the Gradačac area. Acknowledgments were presented to the companies: Bečejac, VIP-Sema, Agro Mujčinović, Mat-Trade, PMG VIP, and Maočanka.

This year, a rich cultural and entertainment program, promotions, exhibitions, and concerts were organized for visitors.

This year's Plum Fair was opened by the Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH, Nermin Nikšić, who cut the ceremonial ribbon together with the Minister of Agriculture, Water Management, and Forestry of FBiH, Kemal Hrnjić, the Mayor of Gradačac, Edis Dervišagić, and the head of the Tourist Office of the Tourist Board of the City of Gradačac, Amir Pašalić.