This year, 140.000 euros have been allocated from the budget of the Municipality of Kolašin for the implementation of the Program of Incentive Measures in Agriculture.
The most money, 30.000 euros each, will be allocated for the adaptation of stables and processing facilities, as well as for support for the purchase of motor cultivators, motor mowers and attachments for agricultural machinery.
The amount of support for the purchase of machinery is 30 percent of the total investment for beneficiaries who receive support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, and the maximum amount of support is up to 600 euros. For beneficiaries who receive support only from the Municipality, this amount will be 80 percent of the total investment, and a maximum of 1.500 euros.
The amount of support for the adaptation of production facilities on farms is 50 percent of the total investment amount, up to a maximum of 1.500 euros. Support is provided for the adaptation of production facilities that are not part of residential premises (stables, processing facilities).
This year, support for young farmers amounts to a total of 20.000 euros, and 13.000 euros have been allocated for the purchase of generators and photovoltaic systems in the katuns. Beekeepers will receive a total of 8.000 euros in support. Support for solving water supply problems, purchasing processing and packaging equipment, and modernizing livestock facilities amounts to 7.000 euros each. According to the program, the local budget will also support the purchase of milking machines, the improvement of fruit, field and vegetable growing, as well as risk management in agriculture.
From the explanation of the reasons for certain incentive measures, it is obvious that the challenges of agriculture in the area of the Kolašin municipality are unchanged and numerous.
"The territory of the Kolašin municipality is characterized by fragmented holdings and a significant number of small producers, so there is little use of agricultural mechanization on such areas. In the structure of agricultural production in mountainous areas, livestock farming is the most prevalent, where livestock nutrition is almost entirely based on the use of natural meadows and pastures, or hay in the winter period, with the use of dedicated mechanization being extremely important," the local administration states.
As the document states, among other things, "it is evident that a large number of livestock breeders have problems with animal welfare standards". Farmers have high costs and problems when it comes to water supply. The amount of water consumed per unit of livestock in livestock production often represents a major problem, as well as an expense for agricultural producers. The program also stated that fruit production from most of the plantations in the municipality of Kolašin, due to their age, is economically unprofitable. Therefore, as explained by the local administration, "it is necessary to establish plantations with new varieties and rootstocks, which, with the application of the necessary agrotechnical measures, will yield higher yields and quality fruits". The problem of unstable quality in the placement of milk and dairy products on the market has also been recognized.
Bonus video:
