Krunic told reporters in Bijeljina that the first analysis of the
status of rural women was done in 2009. In 2010, there were five rural
women who asked for subsidies from the relevant Ministry to start up a
business, of which requests two were approved, and in 2011 this number
increased to some 30 women.
“Significant progress was achieved in 2012 when the Republika Srpska
Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Forestry supported 137
requests for funds for the purchase of equipment, and 83 requests are
being processed,” Krunic said.
She said that this is significant progress, and that in addition to
the Ministry, the Republika Srpska Investment-Development Bank, the
Guarantee Fund, the Agency for Expert Services in Agriculture and other
institutions also gave support to women entrepreneurs in villages.
On the occasion of Women’s Week in Republika Srpska and March 8,
International Women’s Day, Krunic today toured the Vukovic Company in
Trnjaci near Bijeljina, owned by Ljuba Vukovic.
Vukovic said that her company has been in operation for three years
now, and that she and her family have run a farm for some 20 years.
“We completed the first of the three phases of construction of
buildings of regional importance where vegetable and fruit produced
domestically in keeping with EU standards will be warehoused and packed,
which will enable their export to the European market,” Vukovic told
reporters.
She and her husband Milorad have invested some KM 300,000 in the
project worth over KM one million, creating conditions for integrated
agricultural production in keeping with strict EU standards and for
access to the European market.
According to her, 900 of the planned 2,000 sq m of space has been
built so far. Ecological standards of the use of renewable energy
sources and water purification have been respected in the construction,
which is particularly important having in mind the drought which last
year devastated agricultural production.
The Vukovic Company produces fruit and vegetable in 4 ha of
greenhouses and 10 ha in the open, while respecting the requirements of
integrated production, which allows for a minimal use of chemicals under
exceptional conditions.
The Vukovic family farm has produced mostly peppers in the last
decade, which they are producing the same way as was produced in the
Semberija before technological improvements. Ljuba Vukovic says that
they can produce some 400 tonnes of vegetable and fruit a year for
market.
“Once we complete the buildings, we will be able to ensure export to
the European market for other farmers in the Semberija who abide by EU
standards,” Vukovic said.
Some 20 seasonal workers are employed in this family enterprise, and
when vegetables and fruit start to be warehoused and packed, at least
20 more people will be hired.
(Srna/Frontal)
