News Agricultural Innovation Center Laboratory Certification
Date: 2008-10-03
On Thursday 02 October, U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Mr. Cameron Munter, following a meeting with Arilje Mayor, Ms. Mirjana Avakumovic, handed over a grant certificate in the amount of $19,380 to Mr. Radojko Lukovic, Director of the Agricultural Innovaction Center in Arilje.
Earlier this year, the AIC applied for a grant for the center's laboratory ISO 17025 certification facilitation in order to strengthen the capacity of the laboratory to provide certified water and soil testing necessary for all farmers participating in the GlobalGAP certification - a main precondition for export of fresh fruits and vegetables to the European Union.
The Agricultural Innovation Center (AIC) in Arilje was established in 2006 through a private-public partnership led by Arilje Municipality and today it is a modern regional agribusiness development service (ABDS) provider introducing a new approach in providing and managing agricultural advisory services.
It is estimated that over 1,000 farmers and at least 10 producer organizations will benefit form the Laboratory Certification and it is hoped that as a result of this at least another 50 producers will implement the GlobalGAP standard, and 200 farmers will be made eligible to access the Government of Serbia subsidized funding.
Agribusiness Project Supports the Second Agricultural Fair in Nis
Date: 2008-09-27
Following the official opening of the second Agricultural Fair in Nis on 26 September, Mr. Gene Neill, the Agribusiness Project Director and representatives of the Nis Municipality signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a Financial Grant in the amount of almost $60,000.
Financial assistance provided by the Project enabled the City of Nis to upscale the Fair this year, almost doubling both the number of exhibitors and visitors and enabled participation of business development and financial service providers such as banks and advisory institutions.
Present amongst exhibitors this year were also agricultural equipment producers and experts enabling an exchange and learning in the sphere of new agricultural techniques and technologies.
Agribusiness Project's main contribution was the construction of a mobile facility providing a separate section for the Livestock Exhibition, enabling a bigger number of exhibitors and a greater variety of agribusinesses to take part this year. Seminars on HACCP and Farm Management were held during the fair, helping raise awareness of Serbian farmers and agribusinesses regarding the necessity of food safety, good farm management and international standards requirements.
The City of Nis has recognized the Agricultural Fair as a vehicle to establishing regional cooperation and for enabling an exchange of knowledge and experience amongst agricultural stakeholders. As part of the municipality strategy for rural economic development of the region, the city management is currently in the process of obtaining funds through the National Investment Plan, which will enable the construction of a new multi purpose exhibition facility for use by all sectors of the economy. In the meantime, focus is being placed on improving the management and the organization of the agricultural fair and increasing the number of participants.
American from Serbia to Europe
Date: 2008-09-25
This season, buyers in England and Germany have had an opportunity to taste American blueberries, grown in Serbia.
The first shipment to international markets took place few years after cultivated production started. Additional 3,000 kg, in small packages, have already been sold on the Serbian market through retail chains. In 2005, within previous USAID program, following farmers’ initiative, 23,000 blueberry seedlings were purchased and distributed enabling production on 10 hectares in the area of municipality of Arilje, Western Serbia.
Nowadays, five times more American blueberries seedlings are being grown on over 50 hectares in Serbia. Partnership with berry growers continues via the USAID Agribusiness Project aiming at entering new domestic and international markets.
Achieving higher profits in agricultural production by exchange of experience
Date: 2008-08-08
Agricultural producers and processors, like any other businesses, need to know about new technologies and market requirements which, with their potential and experience, are necessary for getting new buyers and achieving value-added products.
To support the agribusinesses with a goal to encourage agricultural development, USAID Agribusiness Project organizes meetings between representatives of foreign companies and consultants of agribusinesses and associations. In line with this, during June and July, Mr. Rafael Godoy from Chile visited Serbia.
Mr. Godoy is the inventor of technology that enables keeping raspberries fresh for up to 14 days after harvest. Besides presenting procedures for applying his technology and advantages it gives, Mr. Godoy explained to a group of companies and cooperatives that are engaged in sales of fresh berries the best practices and experiences acquired in Chile.
Samples of fresh raspberries, prepared during his visit, were distributed to the partners in Germany, England and Russia where they received the highest ratings and a “green light” for regular shipments during the next season.
Topics such as ways for extending season through starting production in green houses, introduction of different sorts and technologies were discussed with producers and cooperatives throughout Serbia with Mr. Richard Dale, expert for berries production and marketing with several decades of experience.
New Exports of Serbian Food Producers
Date: 2008-07-02
More than $5,000,000 of contracted sales is the result of Serbia’s exhibition, “Natural Serbia ” at the “54th Summer Fancy Food Show ”, held in New York from June 29 to July 1, 2008.
The USAID Agribusiness Project, Serbian Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SIEPA), Serbian Ministry of Agriculture and Serbian companies presented Serbia’s forest mushrooms, famous raspberries, fruit jams, juices and other top quality products.
Arex Marzipan, Art-ival, Foodland, Igda impeks, ITN, Jugprom, Marni, ML Company, Pro-Polis Plus, Sicoberry are amongst the companies that participated at the Fair that regularly attracts thousands of exhibitors from around the world and draws approximately 20,000 attendees from specialty food, gift and department stores, supermarkets, restaurants and other related businesses.
Considering the contacts and business arrangements made, it is expected that the sales will at least double over the period to come.
The Serbian Ministry of Agriculture secured financial support for the exhibition and the USAID Agribusiness Project provided technical assistance in selling on the U.S. market as well as organizing meetings during the show with potential buyers of Serbian agricultural products.
