MEASURES THAT AFFECT THE STRENGTHENING OF SERBIAN AGRICULTURE - With incentives and modern technology to higher yields

A lecture was held yesterday at the Master Congress Center, where important topics for farmers were discussed, such as incentives provided by the state, as well as those coming from the IPARD program. There was talk about digitalization and the application of modern technologies and artificial intelligence in agriculture. It also looked at what measures and programs are implemented and how to lease and use state-owned agricultural land.

"At this meeting, we talked about what is most important to farmers and what they care about the most, and that is money," said the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Dragan Glamočić. – This year, 124 billion dinars have been earmarked for incentives, which is four times more than in 2012. Of this, we have already paid out 48 percent. We talked about the IPARD 3 program, through which investments worth 580 million euros will be realized. By the end of this year, 31 million euros should be paid, of which we have already paid 10 million. We also talked about artificial intelligence, because today there is no agriculture without the application of modern technologies and artificial intelligence, as well as digitalization. I urge our farmers to get involved in new trends, to use new technologies. When the state gives money, they use it well, get good yields, we will keep young people in the countryside, we will have a strong agrarian economy, and when there is a strong agrarian economy, Serbia is also strong.
Glamocic pointed out that the calendar for incentives was adopted at the beginning of this year, but public calls for the purchase of equipment for fruit growers, crop production, livestock breeding, for machines, except tractors, were constantly opened. Farmers can apply, the state gives a refund of 50 percent, and for those with difficult business conditions, up to 65 percent.
At the meeting, it was announced that a call for IPARD – for measure 7, i.e. for financing infrastructure in the field of rural tourism, will be announced, and in the fall, a call for measure 3 – investment in processing will be announced. As far as digitalization is concerned, a lot of work is underway – the introduction of E-agrarian and the digitalization of agricultural plots through the ELPIS program.