The Union of Livestock Farmers of Montenegro has warned that farmers will organize protests if the government does not ensure that next year’s agricultural budget amounts to at least five percent of the total state budget.
Farmers say that agricultural production in Montenegro is on the brink of collapse because subsidies and agricultural funding are significantly lower than in neighboring countries, making fair market competition impossible. Milko Živković, president of the Union and a farmer near Pljevlja, emphasized the need for a development-oriented rather than social budget to preserve and improve domestic production.
During the summer, farmers held consultations and agreed that protests would be organized if the government rejects their request. Živković stressed that delays are no longer acceptable, as production decline is already evident.
He cited Pljevlja municipality as a positive example, which two years ago set a rule that its agricultural budget cannot be less than five percent of the annual budget, resulting in over €1 million allocated yearly. Farmers now call on the national parliament to adopt a similar approach to ensure greater support for domestic agriculture, in line with EU and regional practices.
Živković also highlighted the impact of climate challenges on local agriculture, stressing the need for systematic state support to protect domestic production.
