During the International Agricultural Fair we have announced certain regulations, and public calls and have launched support through loans with the first two loans already approved – said the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Dragan Glamočić during event “Incentives in Focus – direct communication with farmers.”
Contracts have been signed with NLB Commercial Bank, Raiffeisen Bank and Alta Bank, and today we expect to sign an agreement with the Postal Savings Bank. Loans for agricultural producers will be available until October, with a duration of 3 to 5 years, some of which will have 0 dinars interest rate. Yesterday a public call for beekeeping was announced, today we will announce one for livestock battening, and next week we will announce a public call for breeding stock and seeds.
As the Minister already mentioned during the discussion with the farmers, this year’s budget is four times larger than it was ten years ago and one should not expect further increase.
Perhaps we could allocate funds differently, but we should not expect the budget to be bigger than it is now. Our budget is large enough given the percentage of gross added value agriculture has. In other words, agriculture is getting more than it is providing. Of course, agriculture should get sufficient funds since it has an important strategic role, but we should stay inside current boundaries – added Glamočić.
According to the Minister, as of next year, farmers will provide reports on how they have been spending budget funds, to ensure they aren’t spent outside of agricultural necessities.
As of next year, we are announcing a more vigorous control, there will be a need to justify expenses, and provide invoices, and preliminary invoices, so that the farmers can be certain of receiving funds from the state. Also, we will implement a calendar of incentives, so that we have exact points in time when each offer will take place – concluded Glamočić, further pointing out that the long-term strategy plan is in the process of completion and not to expect it to be a magic wand that will solve all the problems in the agriculture. Also, there will be incentives for smaller producers and young people to support them to remain in rural areas.
