Montenegro has lost significant areas of agricultural land in recent decades, which is why the new Spatial Plan foresees measures to limit the possibility of converting agricultural land into construction land by 2040. This will be possible only in cases of public interest, for the needs of infrastructure construction, and private facilities for agricultural production, product processing, rural tourism and housing of household members will be able to be built only on poor-quality land and with the prior consent of the Ministry of Agriculture.
These will be the guidelines that will have to be followed by the preparers of all municipal spatial and urban plans, which will precisely determine the purpose of space on their territory.
The Spatial Plan, which was adopted by the Government last week and sent to the Parliament for consideration, also states that the main goal of state policy in this area will be to manage natural agricultural resources in a long-term sustainable manner, with maximum environmental protection and achieving the goals of the "Green Deal" in accordance with the European Union agenda.
Increase production by 40 percent
The set indicators, which will determine the success of this strategy, are that in the next 15 years, the coverage of used agricultural land should increase by at least 35 percent, that the share of arable agricultural land (arable land, gardens and permanent crops) should increase by at least 100 percent, that irrigated areas should increase by at least 50 percent, and that the volume and value of agricultural production should increase by at least 40 percent.
"This development scenario is based on the application of new knowledge, technological innovations, the creation of new products and the diversification of services, both in the agricultural sector and in overall economic development. The implementation of this development scenario in agriculture must be accompanied by strong investment and institutional support from the state, through appropriate incentives and institutional support for fulfilling the conditions and using international grants. The implementation of planning measures of this development scenario results in an increase in the volume of agricultural production, and most importantly, in the preservation and development of rural areas, retaining the population through the establishment of appropriate economic and living conditions, which is the only way to establish balanced development throughout the territory of the state," the Spatial Plan states.
The general development objectives of this area are: strengthening the competitiveness of agriculture, while ensuring a stable supply of safe food, acceptable in terms of quality and prices; improving the living standards of the rural population and overall rural development, while preserving traditional values; applying new technologies to increase food security and increase competitiveness and diversify economic activities in rural areas through rural development policy measures.
The main goal is to increase Montenegro's level of self-sufficiency in food production and reduce import dependence, especially, as stated, in the fruit, vegetable, milk and meat production sector. Last year, Montenegro imported food worth 772 million euros, or 3,4 euros per capita per day. Of this, 395 million euros were spent on the import of fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat products.
Construction protection is an urgent measure
The plan also identifies priority tasks that must be implemented in the short term by 2030, the most important of which is the preservation and valorization of agricultural land.
"Conversion of agricultural land into construction land shall be allowed only for the purposes of constructing facilities intended for primary agricultural production and processing capacities in agriculture, including facilities for housing household members and providing rural, agro and health tourism services, exclusively on uncultivable agricultural land of credit class V to VIII, or on arable land in the event that there is no lower class of agricultural land in the immediate vicinity, in accordance with local planning documents or with prior approval from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management," the Plan states.
Priority organic production
Priority objectives include technological modernization of agricultural production; further expansion of organic production and products with designation of origin or protection of geographical origin; diversification of activities in rural areas; institution building and stronger support for investments; implementation of sustainable agricultural practices that reduce the use of chemicals and pesticides and promote organic farming as a model that protects soil and water resources, and improvement of waste management systems in the agricultural sector in order to reduce soil, water and air pollution.
A series of measures are envisaged to achieve the goal of increasing the volume and value of agricultural production by at least 40 percent. This is planned to be done through the application of new technologies and the modernization of almost all sectors of agricultural production, the intensification of agricultural production in the lowland areas, especially on arable land, in permanent crops and in protected areas, as well as by enlarging land plots.
"Similarly, further growth in production per head in cattle breeding is expected, as well as in the scope and volume of production in pig and poultry farming, while the trend of decreasing sheep production is expected to continue. Given the increasingly pronounced climate change, modern agricultural production cannot be organized without irrigation. Therefore, it is realistic to expect that in the next six years all plantations (orchards and vineyards) and a large part of arable land will be covered by irrigation systems. Also, support for agro-innovations and the digitalization of agriculture will be intensified," the Plan states.
Protection of agricultural zones by region
Based on the conducted analysis of available agricultural land potential, the conservation of agricultural areas by region is planned.
In the Primorje region, special protection of the remaining agricultural land is planned in the following areas: Ulcinjsko polje, Zoganjsko polje, the Štoje area - Štoje sand, the stretch from Ada along the Bojana valley to Šas and Šasko polje, the remaining part of Barsko and Mrčevo polje, as well as Grbaljsko and Sutorinsko polje.
"In these regions, there is significant potential for increasing citrus and olive production, as well as vegetable production in protected areas. There is also great potential for the development of organic production, especially in the area of collecting wild medicinal herbs. In marginal areas and slopes, livestock production should also be developed, such as mini-farms for cows, but also for other types of domestic animals. Priority should be given to small ruminants, especially goats and sheep, because they are good cleaners of small vegetation and potential protectors against fires," the Plan for the Coastal Region states.
The central region is said to have valuable agricultural land that is most encroached upon by construction.
"The dispersive expansion of private settlements in the Zeta Plain, starting from Karabuško Polje to Skadar Lake, and in Lješkopolje, should be limited. A large part of the highest quality agricultural land in the Bjelopavlić Plain is already threatened by the construction of industrial facilities and dispersive private construction. Therefore, it is proposed to preserve existing agricultural areas," the document states.
It is recommended that special attention be paid in this region to increasing the production of vegetables in protected areas, high-yielding fodder crops for livestock feeding, as well as all forms of livestock production.
In the northern region, it is stated that quality agricultural areas are located in the Lim Valley, and are most affected by construction in the municipality of Bijelo Polje, from Pod and Zaton in the Berane municipality, to Rasovo, Njegnjevo and further towards the border. It is emphasized that these zones must be preserved in the coming period.
"Livestock production in all municipalities in this region must receive special treatment, in terms of additional incentives, both from the relevant ministry and local governments," the plan states.
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