The municipality of Nova Varos spent 80.000 euros on the program of measures in the field of agriculture last year, and the same amount of funds for implementation of numerous projects in the field of agrarian policy was also allocated in the budget for 2020 – emphasizes the Deputy Mayor, Branko Bjelic, summarizing the results of work of local governments in the area over the past and plans for this year.
The largest part of last year’s agricultural budget – almost 45.000 euros was spent on subsidies to domestic producers who used incentive funds of local self-government to procure high-quality livestock units, purchase agricultural equipment and machinery, raise and restore plantings, irrigation systems, etc. The right to subsidies was used by 168 farm owners who had previously received a green light on a municipal public invitation. In 2018, 143 farmers took advantage of this opportunity, mainly from the category of those engaged in livestock, fruit and beekeeping.
– One of the measures under the local agrarian policy, which in practice has proved to be a full blow, is to help farmers through subsidizing veterinary services for the artificial insemination of large livestock or cows. About 19.000 euros were spent from the municipal coffers for this purpose. 494 farmers’ requests for a total of 2,142 heads were answered positively. This type of assistance to livestock farmers, which we activated two years ago after a break of two years, has a wide range of beneficiaries, regardless of whether they are “small” or “large” producers, or whether they are engaged in extensive or intensive production. The importance of subsidies of this kind is that they should influence the improvement of the racial composition of large cattle, which in the long run means the improvement of livestock breeding in the Novo Mesto area – emphasizes Dr. Branko Bjelic, deputy mayor, otherwise, a veterinary doctor.
Last year, interest on agricultural loans was co-financed from the municipal coffers with almost 5.000 euros. The aim of the program is to support the farms in providing working capital for investments in modernization of machinery and equipment, procurement of better livestock units, construction and adaptation of facilities.
About 4.500 euros was spent on a measure of economic activity in order to increase competitiveness and product certification. The most demanded in this segment was the purchase of brandy production equipment. The municipality also earmarked around 3.000 euros for the promotion of promotional activities in rural development. The funds were mostly used for farmers’ visits to major trade fairs and study tours, where producers had the opportunity to get acquainted with contemporary developments in this field and to exchange knowledge and experience with colleagues from the country and the region.
Investment in agriculture and support for farmers will be imperative in the work of local government throughout 2020, according to municipal leadership. The budget foresees the same amount of funds for agriculture as last year, and the correction is unlikely to be the same when it comes to measures to encourage producers and agricultural production so far.
– This year, farmers will have the opportunity to gain additional benefits through local associations, whose projects are co-financed by the local self-government through municipal competition. That is why I urge farmers to join, as they have a greater chance of reaching the funds and easier to break into the market, all with the aim of generating more significant traffic or profit – adds the Deputy Mayor for Danas.
