Minister Romić Reveals Key Government Reform Measures in the Agriculture Sector

At a meeting with the Osijek-Baranja County Prefect Vladimir Šišljagić, Minister of Agriculture Davor Romić stated that irrigation is a strategic goal of the Government. He assessed that based on the documentation prepared so far for projects, of which there are about twenty in the Osijek-Baranja County alone, it is possible to proceed with a faster and more intensive implementation of the National Irrigation Plan.

Minister of Agriculture Davor Romić stated on Thursday in Osijek that the development strategy for agriculture and the food industry, irrigation system projects, and land policy reform are key government reform measures in the agriculture sector.

At a meeting with the Osijek-Baranja County Prefect Vladimir Šišljagić, Romić said that irrigation is a strategic goal of the Government. He assessed that based on the documentation prepared so far for projects, of which there are about twenty in the Osijek-Baranja County alone, it is possible to proceed with a faster and more intensive implementation of the National Irrigation Plan.

He highlighted the reform of land policy as a crucial and most important project for the Government, announcing the adoption of a new Agricultural Land Law and the implementation of land consolidation, irrigation, and drainage. He added that the completion of the development strategy for agriculture and the food industry is expected by the end of this year.

Dissatisfied with the state of agriculture, Prefect Šišljagić assessed the situation in Slavonia as unbearable, as he stated that very little has been achieved from numerous promises over the years. He warns that the market for agricultural products is unregulated, the development of the irrigation system takes too long, and in his opinion, there are obvious injustices in the leasing of agricultural land. He emphasizes that in the Osijek-Baranja County, the number of family farms has been declining for years, as well as businesses and jobs, and about 35,000 residents have left in the last ten years.

In response to a journalist’s question about the payment of subsidies, Minister Romić reminded that the amount for subsidies has not been reduced, that the advance was paid last year, and that payments from European funds have been completed. This week, payments for the dairy sector will begin, amounting to 27 million kuna, and by May 10, all subsidies for agricultural producers will be paid, which will be a month and a half earlier than last year, Romić stated.

During his visit to the Osijek-Baranja County, Romić will visit the Belje winery and its wine cellar in Kneževi Vinogradi, as well as greenhouses, a biogas plant, and the Mitrovac dairy cattle farm.