Fruit growing has played a very important role in the development of the Serbian economy. Thanks to the export of fruit, the Serbian economy has been repeatedly rescued, according to the invitation of the National Team for the Revival of Serbian Villages to return to their homeland. Fruit of the Takov region has already been recognized by the fruit growers.
Mileta Culjkovic returned to the family estate after eight years on the ship. He teamed up with fruit growers from the Takov region and now they have 12 acres under the blueberries. With standardized organic production, without pesticides, the opportunity to export to European countries also gives them the time to pick the fruits of this promising plant, RTS reports.
– In Serbia, early varieties are coming, ripening time is between the two largest producers in Europe, between Spain and Poland. So, when Spain finishes harvesting at the end of May, in early June, and Poland has not yet started, the second week of June, it depends on the climatic conditions as it is in the current year, we are picking blueberries – said Mileta Culjkovic.
Fruits already teamed up last year in Sipolaj. The plan was to process fruit, so out of the 50,000 euros they received from the state, they would equip a distillery, a cold store and a dryer, writes Silvija Pasajlic for RTS.
– We do not have our fruit planting yet, but that is our plan for the future. If the state helped with the planting and if they got some incentive again for the first time, I think those chances would be much higher and then we would have a chance to work and expand – says Branko Milicic of the Sipolaj Agricultural Cooperative.
In the municipality of Gornji Milanovac, 400 thousand euros is allocated annually from the local budget for assistance to agricultural holdings. They also supported the establishment of 15 cooperatives, with money from the state coming to five new cooperatives.
– We have also recognized the importance of cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the ministry in charge of regional development, so we have recognized that these funds are important to our agricultural producers, to unite and to develop some of their potential – says Milka Nedeljkovic from the Office for Agriculture Gornji Milanovac municipality.
Minister Krkobabic points out that fruit growing has proven to be an excellent model in developing undeveloped areas of Serbia and in solving economic, social and demographic problems, emphasizing that he would like to continue exporting fruits and fruit products to be Serbia’s golden job.
