Westen Balkans Agriculture in Focus: Cooperation, Sustainability and Innovation

Webinar explores opportunities for Dutch-Serbian Cooperation in agricultural education

How can vocational agricultural education better prepare Serbia’s future workforce for the demands of a more innovative, sustainable and digitally driven agricultural sector? This was the central question at a webinar organized by the LAN Belgrade team bringing together Serbian and Dutch experts to explore opportunities for cooperation.

The discussion was based on “Vocational Agricultural Education in Serbia and Opportunities for Cooperation with the Netherlands”, a draft report authored by Professor Natalija Bogdanov and commissioned by the Embassy. Presenting its key findings, Professor Bogdanov outlined opportunities to strengthen vocational education, improve practical skills development and build closer links between educational institutions and the agricultural sector.

Ineke van de Weijgaert, Senior Policy Officer covering Serbia and other countries in the region, presented relevant Dutch government funding and cooperation opportunities through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The webinar also showcased a successful collaboration between Professor Jelena Miočinović of the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Agriculture and Koos de Vries of Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences from the Netherlands.

Rogier Schulte from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and Đura Karagić from the agricultural company LoginEKO shared perspectives on expertise in agricultural innovation and sustainable farming practices. How knowledge and business can join hands!

Following the webinar, Professor Bogdanov will update her report to reflect the findings and insights from the discussion. The revised version will be published on ABB soon.

Southeast European agriculture ministers set regional priorities in Belgrade

Agriculture ministers and senior representatives from Southeast Europe met in Belgrade for the 20th Annual Working Meeting of Agriculture Ministers, organised under the Standing Working Group for Regional Rural Development (SWG). The meeting brought together regional governments, the European Commission and international organisations to discuss agricultural policy, rural development and the region’s path towards EU integration.

Discussions focused on alignment with the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), implementation of the IPARD program and opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation. Serbia will assume the SWG chairmanship, creating an opportunity to advance collaboration on shared agricultural and rural development priorities.

Ministers and heads of delegation adopted joint conclusions identifying key priorities for the coming period, including food security, climate resilience, support for young farmers, agricultural competitiveness and progress towards EU standards. They also called for more accessible IPARD support, stronger crisis preparedness and early-warning systems, climate adaptation measures, protection of natural resources, and greater knowledge-sharing and innovation across the region.

A regional working group dedicated to generational renewal and support for young farmers is planned for establishment in 2027. The initiative reflects a shared focus on the future of the agricultural workforce and the long-term sustainability of rural areas.

For the agricultural sector, the meeting highlighted the importance of coordinated regional action to support modernisation, improve resilience and bring national agricultural policies closer to EU requirements.

Western Balkans target 30% protection of natural areas by 2030

Western Balkan countries have adopted two regional plans to protect biodiversity and restore forest landscapes by 2030, following a ministerial meeting on the Green Agenda in Žabljak, Montenegro, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced.

The plans aim to protect at least 30% of terrestrial, freshwater, marine and coastal areas and restore 20% of degraded ecosystems. Priorities also include protecting endangered species, promoting sustainable forest management and safeguarding soil and water resources.

For the agricultural sector, a key priority is integrating nature conservation into agriculture, forestry, energy and infrastructure development. The plans support implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and efforts to strengthen the region’s resilience to climate change.

Serbian agricultural entrepreneur recognised among FAO’s 100 women heroes

Vera Škulić from Serbia has been selected for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) initiative 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development, chosen from 609 nominees across 131 FAO member countries. The recognition highlights her contribution to women’s entrepreneurship, agriculture and the empowerment of women in rural Serbia.

Managing a family farm cultivating around 200 hectares, Škulić combines practical farming experience with sustainable production, including beekeeping. Through the Association of Women Agricultural Entrepreneurs of Serbia, she supports women in agriculture, promotes innovation and builds connections between producers, institutions and businesses.

As Serbia’s first agricultural influencer, she also uses digital media to promote local food production and rural life, raising the profile of agriculture and encouraging younger generations to explore opportunities in the sector.

Her recognition highlights the role of women in building more resilient and sustainable agrifood systems and the importance of improving their access to technology, markets and business opportunities.

Serbia steps up controls on crop residue burning

Around 600 people were found burning crop residues during a coordinated operation by Serbia’s agricultural inspectors and the Ministry of the Interior. The crackdown follows a series of fires and smoke-related road accidents that left 16 people injured, one critically, with 26 vehicles involved over three days.

Agricultural inspectors have visited 553 locations, while satellite monitoring tracks fires across Serbia, with data updated every 12 hours.

Farm holdings whose owners or users fail to report a fire to the police or fire services may be placed in “passive status”, losing access to state agricultural subsidies and the right to lease state-owned agricultural land for at least one year and up to three years, depending on the offence.

Beyond the safety risks, burning crop residues destroys soil organic matter, harms beneficial microorganisms, causes nitrogen losses and a serious worsening of the air quality, and reduces long-term soil fertility. Authorities have announced continued inspections and enforcement.

More information

If you would like to know more about Serbia’s agri-food sector and opportunities in areas such as post-harvest handling, cold-chain development, and sustainable production, you can go to the country page of Serbia at this website. You can also send an e-mail to the LAN team at the Dutch Embassy in Belgrade: bel-lvvn@minbuza.nl