While difficult to assess at this point, the damage from floods is certain to be measured in millions of euros, agroeconomic analyst Milan Prostran has said.
A state of emergency was declared country-wide on Thursday in response to the flooding that has claimed lives and cut off roads and electricity supplies to households.
Prostran told Tanjug that damage to fruit, vegetable, corn and wheat crops are certain, but he still believes food will not be scarce in the domestic market.
The exports balance is threatened, however, as fruit production, accounting for about USD 500 million in exports every year, will be lower this year, he said.
“This is a really atypical year in terms of climate, as in two months we will see a half-year’s rainfall. It is estimated that April and May will see 650 liters of rainwater per square meter, which is almost a 50 percent annual precipitation, and it will have a negative impact on crops,” said Prostran.
There is no doubt that part of the crops planted in the river basins of Kolubara, Drina, and Western and Southern Morava, will suffer great damages, he said, noting that the rainfall is lower in Vojvodina and the crops in this region are coping better with excess moisture for now.
Some farmers in the regions of central and western Serbia will have to sow the same crops for a third time, as a flood wave hit the region less than a month ago, Prostran said, voicing fear that not all farmers will be able to cope with it financially.
Prostran said that this will be a financially devastating year for farmers, adding that it would be good if the government provides them with free seeds and mineral fertilizers.
Corn crops will surely be ruined where there is too much water and in the areas that have already been flooded over the last two months, said Prostran.
As for wheat, there is the risk of flattening, he warned.
Prostran however said it should not be feared that there will not be enough wheat, as the culture has been sowed at very large areas throughout the country.
Prostran stressed that more than 30,000 kilometers of canals network must be cleansed and trimmed, pointing out that the damages would have been reduced by 50 percent if it had been done in time.
Source B92
