Farmers in Serbia have yet to receive the full amount of subsidies from last year, despite receiving assurances that 10,000 dinars per hectare for seeds would be paid. According to Miroslav Matković, president of the Subotica Farmers’ Union Assembly, the funds have not been deposited into farmers’ accounts.
Matković also reported a delay of two months in the reimbursement of excise duties on diesel fuel, which was supposed to be returned within 14 days as per an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture.
Farmers are urging the ministry to release the subsidies and approve the promised subsidized loans, as the deadline for the first wheat feeding with urea fertilizer approaches on February 15. The price of the fertilizer has already risen from 53 dinars per kilogram to 56 dinars. Matković pointed out that rain or snow is necessary for the fertilizer to be effective, as it will evaporate if applied under dry conditions.
In addition, farmers are facing difficulties purchasing diesel at the guaranteed price of 179 dinars per liter. The Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS) informed farmers that this price is valid only until January 27 for quantities up to 100 liters per hectare if the 2024 quota has not been used. After this deadline, the price will increase, with retail prices for smaller quantities reaching up to 204 dinars per liter.
Mileta Slankamenac, president of the Assembly of the Initiative for the Survival of Serbian Farmers, stated that the farmers’ association will no longer remind the Ministry of Agriculture about its obligations. He emphasized that their demands are also the demands of students protesting for institutional accountability.
Slankamenac also pointed out the lack of a national agricultural development strategy since the previous one expired last year. He expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the IPARD programs and the unclear regulations for fuel bills in 2024. Furthermore, he criticized the lack of action on public warehouse systems and commodity records.
He concluded by highlighting the ongoing issue of unpaid debts to the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund, with an estimated 40 billion dinars in arrears for the past year.
