Dr Aleksandar Martinović, Serbian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management

We will work over the coming years to increase agriculture yields through the expansion of the surface area covered by irrigation and the application of modern technologies, in order for us to leave the generations to come at least as much as we inherited from those who came before us

Agriculture is exceptionally vulnerable to climate change, because it is essentially an “open-air factory”. Droughts are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, while the number of days with extreme precipitation has doubled since the mid-20th century. “Altered climatic conditions are already having a significant negative impact on yields and increases in interannual yield fluctuations, and the Government of Serbia and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management recognise the seriousness of the situation and are implementing tangible measures to reduce damage and losses in agriculture,” says Minister Martinović in this interview.

His ministry has launched numerous infrastructure projects throughout Serbia, with which it is striving to strengthen the risk management system. The construction of facilities contracted to date will enable the irrigating of approximately 123,000 additional hectares of agricultural land, while preparations are also underway for new projects. We are working intensively to automate anti-hail protection systems in Serbia and have to date completed the modernisation of multiple radar centres. We constantly update and improve our ordinances for subsidies and adapt them to the fight against altered climatic conditions through the procurement of equipment, while it is equally important that we provide increasingly widespread support to agricultural producers for insuring crops and animals.

Smart food is one of the areas recognised as a lever of economic growth within the scope of Smart Specialisation. What is the Serbian government doing to help agricultural producers and companies handle the increasingly challenging European and world markets?

— The economic significance of the Republic of Serbia’s food sector is a result of certain advantages that we have as a country, but we must certainly look to the future and monitor global trends, which is why we are increasingly directing our activities and measures towards value-added products, the applying of high technologies in agriculture and sustainable production chains. With measures targeting primary production, but also processing, we are improving productivity through the reduction of labour expenditure and the optimisation of input costs, leading to an improved production structure, modernisation and the creation of possibilities to expand the range of produce and improve sales in the final instance.

In the period ahead, we will also insist on education and the linking of scientific and research institutions with producers at all levels of agricultural production and processing. Changes in this sector are fast and frequent, such that only those who have the knowhow and ability to understand those changes and institute and implement appropriate strategies can be competitive – whether that’s the ministry, a farmer or a processor.

Is it planned to harmonise the Law on Food Safety and accompanying regulations with the EU acquis?

— This law is on the list of the Ministry’s priority laws and its harmonisation with EU regulations is underway. We are working on that intensively, with the aim of achieving the highest food safety standards. This process includes adapting existing regulations, introducing new measures and harmonising with the EU’s best practices in order for us to ensure the highest level of health protection and food quality for our citizens. Our plan is to submit the draft law to the European Commission for adjustment by year’s end.

How much progress has been made on the digitalisation of the agriculture sector and is there a plan to establish a functional IT system and digitalise oversight within the scope of inspection services?

— Today, in this age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IT is the conveyor of changes in agriculture. We are transforming the way we deal with agriculture through digitalisation, rendering it more efficient, sustainable and resilient to change. The Ministry endeavours to utilise support measures in order to provide new technologies for our producers.

We introduced the e-Agrar system last year, which contributed to saving resources in the very first year, first and foremost in terms of the time required to submit requests, while we’ve also accelerated the processing and paying of subsidies.

In the period ahead, we will insist on education and the linking of scientific and research institutions with producers at all levels of agricultural production and processing

The plan is to continue the digitalisation process with the aim of linking all systems that control the satisfying of conditions to receive incentives. Further improvement will also enable the obtaining of relevant data to better form agricultural policy and rural development measures.

When it comes to the digitalisation of inspection services, inspectorates operating within the framework of the Ministry of Agriculture have begun being integrated into the e-Inspektor software solution, which will enable the monitoring of situations in specific areas and the more efficient management of oversight tracking. Moreover, at the initiative of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and our ministry, Novi Sad’s BioSense Institute has developed the “AgroInspect” application for recognising the post-harvest burning of organic residue.

How important is it for today’s farmers to have digital skills in order to use the e-Agrar platform and various technological innovations in this area?

— Digital skills are becoming increasingly important in all sectors, including agriculture. Technologies like smart agriculture, big data analysis and artificial intelligence enable farmers to manage their resources more precisely, increase yields and reduce production costs.

Digital literacy provides them with the possibility to remain competitive, react to changes more quickly and better plan their production. Alongside this, improved risk management, reduced negative environmental impacts and reduced administrative burdens are all benefits of new technologies, which is why it’s important for farmers to understand and use them daily.

This year’s first public call to submit applications for the approval of projects for IPARD incentives is currently underway. How much can these funds help when it comes to the revitalising and modernising of farmsteads in Serbia?

— This form of support can improve the reconstruction and modernisation of our country’s farmsteads significantly. Through the IPARD III programme, the EU envisages financing amounting to 377 million euros, with €288 million sourced from the EU and approximately €90 million from the budget of the Republic of Serbia.

We’ve launched numerous infrastructure projects throughout Serbia, with which we are striving to strengthen the risk management system and respond to climate change

This support, coupled with the private contributions of users, is expected to result in investments in Serbian agriculture exceeding 580 million euros. With these measures, the modernisation of production, harmonisation with EU standards and the development of sustainable agricultural systems are all encouraged and will contribute significantly to the economic development and competitiveness of Serbian agriculture.

How do you view the impact of all these changes on the country’s agricultural producers and food industry?

— The challenge of securing enough food for everyone has taken on a new dimension in the 21st century. The growth of the global population, together with the impact of climate change and political events, presents a huge mission for all of us that have been entrusted with the responsibility to preserve and improve our agriculture and food systems. It is crucial that we embrace the transition to new sustainable technologies. By opting for the right measures, we must develop agriculture in directions that are based on ecological principles, because we thereby reduce the possible risk of disrupting the biological equilibrium of the agroecosystem and beyond.