- Agriculture is among the priorities of the Serbian government, which means that we want to use sensible, peaceful dialogue in every possible way to solve the issues we are experiencing in this field, said the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Jelena Tanasković at the opening ceremony of the International Agricultural Fair.

– I would like to congratulate the organizers and hosts on the jubilee 90^th International Agricultural Fair. The partner country of this year’s event in Italy, which has previously shown that it is a remarkable friend of the Republic of Serbia, especially when it comes to agriculture. This is also confirmed by the commodity exchange of agricultural and food products between the two countries, which amounted to 583.5 million euro in 2022, which is by 20 percent more than in 2021. The potential for improving the cooperation is great and I am sure we are going to explore that option.

She also expressed her gratitude to Serbian farmers for their dedication and the fact that they are enduring all pressures, working and producing and struggling with all difficulties on the market, especially now, when agriculture is facing a very difficult situation due to the global crisis.

- I would like to tell them that their state, led by President Aleksandar Vučić and the Serbian government, is with them, and that they should not see us as someone sitting on the other side of the table, but as their collocutors and friends. I am their representative in the government, and I will try to be one of them, represent them and make the most of the situation in order to overcome the current problems, establish a new system of functioning directed towards Europe, which is our destination. I am grateful because you know your state will always be behind you, that the agrarian policy is at a very high level and that we deal with it every day. We are trying to increase the livestock population, reach the quality and standards or European products and penetrate new markets. One such market in China, with whom we have already signed two important protocols, important for our farmers dealing with production of honey and pet food. We are looking for new markets, because Serbia is producing products of very high quality, which could be competitive on the European and international markets, said Jelena Tanasković. 

She pointed out that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management supported the National Livestock Exhibition and the Exhibition of Genetic Potential. According to her, genetic potential is a topic dealt intensively by the Ministry, because it is an opportunity to boost profitability of farmers’ work and a method that would increase their competitiveness on international markets.

Apart from a collective exhibition featuring Italian companies dealing with agriculture, Italy, the partner country of the 90^th International Agricultural Fair, is preparing a number of cultural events around Novi Sad. The Minister of Agriculture of Italy Francesco Lollobrigida emphasised that this event was an opportunity to discuss the future of both countries, Serbia and Italy, primarily in terms of cooperation in agriculture.

- It is my honour to be here and visit for the first time this country with which we have historical and cultural ties and I hope other links will be established soon. I will talk with Minister Tanasković about what constitutes the future of both countries, and that is promotion in the field of agriculture. I expect a lot of positive results in the fields of research and production of high-quality agricultural products, especially in this time of globalization, said Lollobrigida. It is very important to provide support to each other, because such cooperation is bound to be beneficial to both parties.

The General Manager of the Novi Sad Fair Slobodan Cvetković pointed out that in the year when the Novi Sad Fair is celebrating its 100^th anniversary, it is also organising the 90^th International Agricultural Fair, featuring more than 1,100 exhibitors from 26 countries, while businesspeople from 14 countries will present their offer at collective exhibitions.

– The Fair will be marked by the Exhibition of Agricultural Mechanisation, the Exhibition of Organic Produce and PDO Products, the National Livestock Exhibition and the Exhibition of Genetic Potential, as well as the Day of Livestock Breeders and the Day of Fruit Growers, said Cvetković. – We have tried to use synergy among all levels of governance and all partners in order to prepare this memorable event.

Jubilees mark the beginning of a new century of development

The Mayor of Novi Sad Milan Đurić said that the jubilees of the Novi Sad Fair were also an opportunity to stop, reflect and appreciate the importance of invested efforts and dedication, which are both a lesson and preparation for the future.

– When we look back at the distant 1923, when the first Exhibition was organised in Novi Sad, the first in the history of Novi Sad, it is clear that this event has not only remained in the city, but that it has also grown with the city and thus became its integral part, said Đurić.- The jubilees mark the beginning of a new century of development and I believe that the Novi Sad Fair and the International Agricultural Fair, as an ambassador of our city, will continue to grow with Novi Sad and that new generations of citizens of Novi Sad will continue to attend these events.

He pointed out that the City of Novi Sad was continuously supporting farmers from its territory and that this year the support amounted to 70 million dinars.

- We are allocating funds for young farmers, for farmers dealing with organic production, and there is a new program of support to small family farms dealing with processing, as well to winemakers. Every year, the city council’s Department of Economy is present at the Agricultural Fair and citizens can obtain information about all programs and subsidies, while former beneficiaries of subsidies can give presentations to visitors, said Đurić.