MINIĆ: AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ON AN UPWARD TREND IN SEMBERIJA AND REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

BIJELJINA, SEPTEMBER 18 /SRNA/ - An upward trend in agriculture is evident in Semberija and Republika Srpska, Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić said at the opening of the Interagro International Agriculture, Hunting and Fishing Fair in Bijeljina.

Minić said that, alongside the region's considerable natural potential, the upward trend was driven by good, hardworking people.

"What is important is that, even in these globally challenging and difficult times, every segment of our work is advancing and that our trends are upward, because we are working to develop Republika Srpska and move towards modern technologies, so that our producers can stay here and make a living from their work," Minić said.

Minić said that it was not enough simply to tell young people to stay; the necessary conditions must be created so that they want to remain in their homeland and make a living from their work there, which the authorities of Republika Srpska and Serbia support through cooperation in all areas.

Republika Srpska Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Anđelka Kuzmić said that one-third of Republika Srpska’s agricultural budget goes to Bijeljina and Semberija, and that the Government has already allocated BAM 20 million for irrigation projects, the continuation of the construction of the Drina embankment and a water supply system in the Semberija settlement of Glavičice.

"The Republika Srpska Government and the Ministry of Agriculture have always been, and remain, exclusively focused on farmers, modernising domestic production and strengthening rural areas," Kuzmić said, adding that the transition from traditional to modern methods is always difficult.

Kuzmić said that strong economic and institutional cooperation between Republika Srpska and Serbia, established by Presidents Milorad Dodik and Aleksandar Vučić, is important for the development of agriculture and Republika Srpska as a whole.

Serbia is the partner country at this year's Agriculture Fair in Bijeljina, and Serbian Minister of Agriculture Dragan Glamočić said that this was not merely a formal partnership, but also confirmation of the close and lasting ties between the institutions and peoples of Serbia and Republika Srpska.

"Agriculture is a matter of security for the future, which is why our policy is focused on strengthening rural areas and farmers. That is why we are investing in machinery, modernisation, development, processing, knowledge and innovation, modern technologies and artificial intelligence," Glamočić said.

Noting that his roots are in Republika Srpska, Glamočić said that in Srpska he was among people with whom he shared the same values, traditions and desire for Serbia and Republika Srpska to be as strong and united as possible, to strengthen their economic and institutional ties and to always be able to rely on one another.

Glamočić particularly praised the work of Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić, saying that, through his practical experience, including in agriculture, Minić understands both people and farmers.

"Minić understands the real needs of people who make a living from their work and understands how important it is for institutions to always stand by their people," Glamočić said.

Vladimir Lazić, director of Grad, the company organising the fair, said at the opening that events such as this are not anachronistic, as gatherings provide opportunities for making contacts, exchanging experiences and socialising.

"Societies that ensure access to water, food and energy in the future will have a real chance of survival, and Interagro is a platform for discussing that future," Lazić said.

Bijeljina Mayor Ljubiša Petrović said that Interagro is a brand of Semberija, and in his address he highlighted the importance of irrigation for the future of agricultural production in this breadbasket of Republika Srpska, as well as the need to protect domestic production.

The Agriculture Fair in Bijeljina has brought together 300 exhibitors from 12 countries, with 20,000 visitors expected over the next three days.