The Agricultural Cluster of Montenegro and a number of farmers are demanding that the state increase allocations for this sector, that is, that five percent of the state treasury be allocated to the Agrobudget.
This could be heard at the protest of clusters and farmers, in front of the building of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management.
The President of the Agricultural Cluster, Boško Miličić, emphasized that small farms are disappearing, that farmers are getting older, that they are not motivated, and that they are therefore asking for five percent of the state budget to be allocated to the Agrobudget.
"We need concrete support. We want a stable income, we want investment security. This is not just a warning - this is an ultimatum without hatred, but with determination. If you continue to ignore us, the protests will not stop. There will be more of them, they will be stronger. We will demand that the institutions do their job, we will demand the resignations of all those responsible...", he stated. This is not just a warning - this is an ultimatum without hatred, but with determination. If you continue to ignore us, the protests will not stop. There will be more of them, they will be stronger. We will demand that the institutions do their job, we will demand the resignations of all those responsible...", he stated.
Miličić also said that the situation in this sector has been alarming for years, that imports are increasing and production is decreasing, while the current Agrobudget amounts to 1,65 percent of the state treasury.
That's why they're asking for more money, so that the state can guarantee that it takes farmers seriously. He stressed that they've already sent letters, proposed strategies and met, but that they won't give up now and won't be satisfied with half-measures.
Cluster Board Member Amar Muratović stated that this year's state budget is around 4 billion and the Agrobudget is 77 million, of which 11 million are EU donations and the rest is state money. He emphasized that 14 million are allocated for old-age benefits, financed by the Forestry Administration, food and water security, and in the end 30 million euros remain for agriculture.
"The Agrobudget's share is 1,65 percent, while support for agriculture is around 0,8 percent of the state budget. Domestic production does not keep up with market needs, we are significantly lagging behind the region in food production, where they have higher fees for cattle and sows," said Muratović.
Rašo Miljanić added that EU agricultural policy measures are not applied in Montenegro, so he is not happy about joining the European community because he believes that agriculture will be wiped out while young people will leave.
"All the measures were made by the ministries 20 years ago, and that was serious support, but today the costs are significantly higher and the premiums are low. I think that in five years the Agrobudget will not interest anyone and we will all disappear," he said.
Farmer Mijo Karadžić emphasized that this year he planted 12 hectares of potatoes and onions, and that next year he will reduce that by half...
Raspberry grower Irma Kujović pointed out that the sector has been destroyed since 2022, while Vučko Pešić from the Northern Livestock Breeders' Association said that the north has been destroyed, that there are fewer and fewer young people, while politicians are full of talk about staying in the countryside.
"The players in the armchairs are just changing, we are in a situation where in the last five years we have new employees and we have increased salaries by 240 million euros. We also have the construction of neighborhoods in Podgorica for that, but we do not have the money to invest in the future. According to Monstat, in 2011, agriculture filled the budget with 9 percent, and in 2024 it will fill it with 3,5 percent. If something does not turn around, this is a fight for the survival of the Montenegrin countryside," he said.
Ivica Bokovac added that they hope that the Ministry of Agriculture is a partner, and that in order for development to occur, funds need to be provided.
MAFWM: Protest an important signal that certain issues require additional attention
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management announced that they respect the right of every individual and organization to express their views, demands and dissatisfaction.
"This protest represents an important signal that certain issues require additional attention, both from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, and from the Government of Montenegro. It is our obligation to listen to the voices of the protest participants and, in agreement with the Government of Montenegro, consider them in a responsible manner. We emphasize that our common interest is: stable, sustainable and profitable agricultural production, and therefore it is necessary to carefully consider all requests and, from an institutional level, show understanding and, to the extent possible, respond positively to the requests of agricultural producers," the Ministry announced.
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