Forums on development perspectives of agriculture in BiH and informational and educational events for local producers were organised in Brcko and Bijeljina as a part of a project of the Office of the EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUSR). As in previous forums, farmers have shown great interest in this topic, with a full house in both towns.
Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in BiH, Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark and Head of Cooperation with the EU Delegation to BiH Melvin Asin acted as hosts of the Forum and the main interlocutors of participating farmers.
“One of our principle objectives is to have direct contact with farmers. We want to hear about their needs and how to work on these. Unfortunately, we found out that agriculture is the most neglected in this country, although it has the greatest potential for the development of BiH,” said Ambassador Wigemark, and commented on the need to adopt a country-wide strategy on agriculture.
The importance of agricultural production in BiH and its impact on economic development was also discussed by Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation in BiH Melvin Asin.
“Agriculture and rural development make up a large part of the economy in BiH and have a great potential to improve it. Membership in the EU will open a market of 500 million consumers to domestic producers, provided that food safety, phytosanitary and other standards are met“, said Asin.
BiH has very good conditions for the production of local, indigenous products, which is why it is necessary to form manufacturing groups in order to carry out business projects more easily. Regional expert from Croatia Miroslav Bozic said that it is primarily necessary to educate producers on how to use the opportunities provided by the EU integration.
“Assistance to agriculture in rural areas should not go only to farmers, but also the rest of the population living in the countryside, for the construction of schools and the entire infrastructure. It is also necessary to set priorities and production structure to use more local products,” said Bozic.
Thematic expert Aleksandar Bogunovic also shared experiences from Serbia, pointing out that manufacturers should not be left alone, but the whole system must engage in preparing them for the EU integration.
“Institutions need to get involved, but also local governments as they are supposed to facilitate faster and easier issuing of licenses. Banking sector needs to be involved too, and it needs to develop new tools, “said Bogunovic.
Fruit producer from Brcko Osman Mulahalilovic pointed out poorly informed farmers when it comes to the EU integration process as one of the main problems.
“Our farmers are not educated enough, there are no programmes to prepare us for the EU funds. Education must be very specific and broken down by subject areas,” said Mulahalilovic.
In an open dialogue with farmers, national and international experts introduced to participants challenges and opportunities that await them on the country’s path towards the EU, with a focus on a far larger market where they can sell their products, and find new ways of financing.
In addition to farmers and representatives of institutions, the forum in Brcko was visited by students of the Secondary Agricultural School, who followed presentations of thematic experts and had discussions with produces. Forum participants had the opportunity to attend informative and educational fair, with exhibitors including UNDP BiH, GIZ – EU ProLocal programme, USAID / SIDA FARMA II, Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers Zepce (UPIP) and Farmofit – Feed Mill Rapic from Gradiska .
After six forums held across the country, development perspectives of domestic agriculture will be discussed on February 10 in Banja Luka. List of events is available at: http://archive.europa.ba/?page_id=47088
