A total of 123,217 KM in support for rural development will be allocated by the City of Livno to 17 beneficiaries through three funding lines: support for young farmers, milk production in mini-dairies, and capital investments, reports Večernji.ba.
Agriculture is a significant segment of Livno’s economy, reflected in its inclusion in the city's development strategy, and every financial grant, especially non-refundable support, is highly welcomed by farmers. Among this year’s 17 beneficiaries is Gabrijela Račić, a returnee from abroad who has chosen to build her and her family's future in Stupe, the most beautiful village in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. With a grant of 22,000 KM, Gabrijela will enhance her production of local eggs and chickens by building a sorting center, becoming the owner of the first egg-sorting farm in both Livno and the HB Canton.
"We are currently a small farm with around 500 chickens and about 300 eggs daily. With this sorting center, we hope to reach around 2,000 eggs daily by the end of next year, meeting the demand in our city,” Gabrijela explains. "Currently, we sell eggs directly, but with the sorting center, we plan to expand into local shops and retail centers."
Another beneficiary, Biljana Perković, director of River Creek Farm in Komorani near Livno, received 10,000 KM. "We are engaged in cow-calf breeding for meat production. The cows graze outdoors, and our current market is Livno. With 30 head of cattle, this support will help us expand our herd. We aim to reach at least 150 head, if resources allow."
Each contract signee has a unique story, some adhering to traditional methods while others innovate with modern approaches to agriculture, livestock, and dairy production. One such innovator is Stipe Dalić, owner of Dalić Agro in Priluka near Livno. He will use his 22,000 KM grant for capital investments, specifically to purchase another combine to modernize and speed up crop production across 100 hectares of arable land.
“We work with modern systems, including direct seeding. We even experimented with sunflowers and soybeans, which weren’t previously grown in our area, and they’re proving quite successful," says Stipe. He already has two combines and two tractors but sees the need for more machinery to quickly respond to climate challenges, preventing potential crop loss. He plans to expand his production and appreciates the City of Livno's support as an excellent initiative.
The City of Livno introduced the rural development support program this July, says Mayor Darko Čondrić. “All farmers who submitted complete documentation and met the criteria of the public call received support, which is great to see. Agriculture is a crucial economic sector, and we hope that investments in agriculture will grow. This is our contribution to helping farmers improve their operations and competitiveness. We’ll continue these measures and, in collaboration with the City Council, make new decisions to support agricultural production in Livno.”
The total amount of 123,217 KM for rural development will be allocated to 17 beneficiaries across three measures: support for young farmers, support for milk production in mini-dairies, and capital investments.
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