Minister of Agriculture Tihomir Jakovina presented data on soybean production in Croatia at the Ministerial Conference in Gornja Radgona, highlighting that annual production is around 50,000 hectares with an average yield of about 2.65 tons per hectare and that there are significant opportunities to increase legume production on larger areas.
He emphasized that critical factors for greater legume cultivation include the pronounced problem of drought and an unbalanced market element (stability of purchase, market-acceptable price for producers and purchasers planned over a longer period).
He pointed out the need to develop a national program to promote good agricultural practices in soybean production and to implement all the provisions of the Danube Soy Declaration through its execution, including all relevant institutions (universities, institutes, ministries, and agencies).
As part of the agro-environmental measures (which are an integral part of the rural development program 2014-2020), incentive measures will be developed for the crop rotation system that will encourage the sowing of legumes.
Minister Jakovina emphasized the importance of developing a common labeling standard – GMO free label.
He supported all provisions of the joint declaration with the expressed belief that the Danube Soy project platform is beneficial for improving soybean production and increasing added value for agricultural producers both at the level of Croatia and at the EU level.
