Agriculture Minister Ivanović: Establishing cooperatives to make domestic products more competitive

Podgorica, Montenegro (16 February 2014) -- Increase in production, training programmes, adoption of new standards and establishement of agriculture cooperatives were the main topics of Agriculture Minister Petar Ivanović's discussion with farmers during his working visit to the urban municipality of Golubovci, Podgorica.

“It is crucial to start adjusting to the EU requirements on time. The implementation of the IPARD programme begins in 2016, and we have to start adapting right now," Minister Ivanović underlined.

The meeting also addressed issues of landmarks, borders of small parcels that occupy more than one-fifth of the arable land, as well as issues related to high costs of agricultural production and purchase. Ministry of Agriculture has prepared the Law on Cooperatives, Minister Ivanović noted, which is a good basis for establishing business association of agricultural producers, introducing tax breaks and resolving numerous issues that members of cooperatives are interested in.

Minister Ivanović and agricultural producers from Golubovci also discussed support measures from the 2014 agro-budget and the IPRAD’s standards relating to food safety and minimum area under plantation, that is, minimum number of cattle.

It was agreed on the establishment of a joint working group to analyse the issues of seasonal surpluses, planting and agricultural products placement.