On Tuesday, the Minister of Agriculture, Marija Vučković, during her visit to Sisak – Moslavina County, assessed that farmers are worried about the high prices of mineral fertilizers, which is also being discussed at the European level in search of solutions.
In Sisak, Vučković visited the County Fair of Agriculture and Rural Development, and at Mate Lovraka Primary School in Petrin, she participated in the Honey Breakfast from Croatian bee farms.
When asked by a journalist if there are expected problems with the supply of nitrogen fertilizer to the market, she said that there are no major supply problems so far, but also noted that the prices of fertilizers have increased significantly.
She said that such a situation worries farmers, so it is also being discussed at the European level, because the priorities, as she emphasized, are the security of supply of energy, fertilizers and food.
After the two events, Minister Vučković mentioned that in the past period, with the aim of revitalizing agriculture, projects from the rural development program were contracted in the amount of HRK 1.3 billion, of which HRK 1.1 billion was paid.
“After all the challenges and the catastrophic earthquake, we first provided veterinary care, provided advisory assistance to farmers and prepared projects and grants of small value, in order to mitigate the consequences, and started an investment cycle for the reconstruction of economies. To date, 153 projects have been contracted,” Vučković said.
As she announced, in the next program period, through the national strategic plan, which has been sent to the European Commission for approval, Croatia will have the opportunity to use 3.8 billion euros in a smart, sustainable and inclusive way.
“The fair was an opportunity for OPG representatives to learn about the possibilities of financing their activities through the Ministry of Agriculture, Sisak-Moslavina County and EU funds. At the end of the year, our county will announce a call for grants in agriculture, and will continue to help OPGs in the marketing of their products through the Pun ceker cooperative, announced prefect Ivan Celjak.
The goal of the agricultural fair, organized with EU funds, is to present the possibilities of agricultural production in the county, said Andrea Šeperac from SIMORA. In addition to OPGs and LAG Zrinska Gora, the students of the Petrinja High School, the only one with an agricultural orientation, presented their activities. She announced the assistance of the Development Agency of Sisak-Moslavina County (SIMORA) to farmers in withdrawing funds from EU funds.
The honey breakfast in Petrinja was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and the Croatian Beekeeping Association, in order to encourage students to consume honey, a nutritious product from Croatian apiaries. On that occasion, an exhibition of second-grade students on the topic of beekeeping was organized.
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