Farmers’ groups across Serbia will hold meetings in the next two days to assess the catastrophic consequences of the ongoing drought and define the type of assistance they expect from the government, announced Goran Filipović, president of the Initiative for the Survival of Serbian Farmers.
A joint meeting involving several associations from regions including Banat, Subotica, Šumadija, and Pomoravlje will be held to align their views and demands.
Filipović emphasized that many farming households face existential threats due to losses in key crops such as corn, soybeans, sunflowers, and sugar beets. They expect government aid measures like tax relief or loan deferrals in response to the natural disaster.
He explained that the minimal rainfall so far—only about three liters per square meter in parts of Banat—is far below the estimated 150 liters needed to properly moisten the soil and help crops like corn. For corn sown in April, even heavy rains have come too late, as the critical pollination period requires moderate temperatures and timely moisture.
While later varieties of corn, soybeans, sunflowers, and sugar beets might still benefit from upcoming rains, the immediate outlook remains grim.
Filipović warned that without state intervention, farmers are growing desperate and may resort to protests.
He also stressed the broader economic implications: drought-related crop failures threaten fodder supplies for livestock, which could force farmers to reduce or close farms, leading to higher food prices and increased imports. The government and Ministry of Agriculture must recognize and address these risks urgently.
