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DPM Simović opens new laboratory at Tehnopolis: We are strengthening infrastructure for fast and strong development breakthroughs in agriculture

Published on: Jun 16, 2020 • 6:48 PM Author: PR Service
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milutin Simović, during a working visit to Nikšić, opened a new biotechnology laboratory at the Tehnopolis Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre. The laboratory will perform analyzes necessary for agricultural producers and entrepreneurs in Montenegro. By opening the new laboratory, the Government of Montenegro continues to improve the services necessary for the modern development of the agricultural production and processing sector.

The laboratory "Biolab Tehnopolis" was equipped by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through the MIDAS 2 project which the Government is implementing in cooperation with the World Bank. Through the project worth about EUR 130 thousand, in addition to equipping the premises, modern laboratory equipment for the analysis of microorganisms in food and soil quality was procured, which will enable safety and quality controls during the production and processing process, as well as finished products.

"Investing in modern laboratory capacities will also contribute to strengthening our scientific infrastructure. Infrastructure necessary for science-based development, infrastructure necessary for the innovations we need in agriculture. Only by applying science and technology in agriculture, we can achieve fast and strong development breakthroughs in the long run," said Simović.

"Innovations in the field of agriculture should be a guarantor of the sustainability of projects, and the state will support them through the newly established Fund for Support of Innovation," the Deputy Prime Minister announced.

MIDAS 2 project leader Silvia Mauri from the World Bank, who joined via video link, said she was pleased that, despite the difficulties caused by the pandemic in recent months, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the MIDAS 2 project management team and all stakeholders have not stopped their dedicated work on improving the capacity of the agricultural sector.

Mauri pointed out that improving the capacity of the laboratory in Tehnopolis represents support for farmers from the northwestern region of Montenegro, recalling that one of the World Bank studies showed the importance of knowledge in agriculture and information system for innovation.

"It is essentially supporting agribusiness through the provision of training, technical advice and critical information for production and cross compliance with regulations in the field of environmental protection, public and animal health, as well as animal welfare," Mauri said.

"Such support, as she added, is needed to Montenegrin producers, in order to improve the competitiveness of their products, meet quality standards, access the European Union market, which is one of the goals of MIDAS2," Mauri said.

Tehnopolis: Young researchers are also in focus

Executive Director of the Tehnopolis Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre Ratko Bataković said he expected the laboratory services to be used by a significant number of farmers, small and medium-sized enterprises from the agro sector, but that an important target group would be the academic community with a focus on young researchers and other relevant laboratories in the country and the region. "We will work on merging the academic and business sectors in order to generate new products and improve the quality of existing ones, but also on the implementation of innovations in agriculture," said Bataković.

President of the Municipality of Nikšić Veselin Grbović expressed his satisfaction that Tehnopolis received content in a wide range of services and activities. "This is another proof that the partnership of state and local institutions gives great results in all areas, as well as that Technopolis has become a respectable place for the development of new ideas and projects," said Grbović.

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