The Minister of Agriculture, Branislav Nedimovic, stated today that there will be large investments in agriculture in the coming period. In addition to regular subsidies, farmers expect numerous competitions for the purchase of equipment that will amount to tens of millions of euros.
– One will be especially generous, 60 million euros, for the purchase of physical assets of farms – equipment, facilities, machinery, everything that can serve those who are small and want to become medium-sized, and medium to become stronger – Nedimovic announced for RTS, reports Tanjug.
He added that there was a competition for agriculture from both the World Bank and the Serbian government.
Commenting on the complaints of some producers that subsidies have not been paid to them yet, the Minister states that 99% has been paid.
– Where we have additional documentation, we have to check. When the ticket is correct, then maybe a lottery can be won – said the Minister.
Nedimovic pointed out that the problem with the food industry was the corona, since the demand was much lower.
– I only now expect it to ‘explode’. Especially the dairy sector. I expect it to go well – he said.
He pointed out that last year the growth of agriculture was five percent and that we should try to preserve that growth.
The market of agricultural products will be legally regulated next year
The legal act on the regulation of the market of agricultural products should regulate the relations between food producers and processors. As Nedimovic announced, the legal framework should enable everyone in the chain to find their place on the market and generate income.
The draft law on regulating the market of agricultural products was adopted by the Government of Serbia, and it remains to be passed by the National Assembly.
– We will get the tools to regulate extremes on the market, with the lowest and highest prices, which, for example, is now happening with cereals, so we have a problem in animal husbandry – Nedimovic said, as reported by Tanjug.
He explained that so far it has been regulated through the institute of commodity reserves and assessed that it is a slow way.
– Now, the Directorate for Agrarian Payments will have a special body that will deal with monitoring prices, determining producer prices, regulating when there is a jump – said Nedimovic.
He added that the position of buyers will also be regulated, so they, like travel agencies, will have a deposit.
– There must be guarantees that our producers would always have security – that when they sell goods, they can also charge for them – he said.
With this law, he says, regulations in Serbia are harmonized with EU regulations.
Nedimovic emphasized that the most important reason for passing the law is the regulation of the Serbian market of agricultural products.
The Minister expects that the new law will start to be applied from next year, eKapija reports.
