Contracts awarding subsidies were formally presented today in Smederevo to local farmers who met the conditions of this year’s public call.
A record RSD 110 million has been allocated from the city budget this year to support agriculture, ensuring that no application meeting the criteria of the call was turned down.
So far, 576 contracts have been presented for 751 investments relating to measures for investment in the physical assets of agricultural holdings and investment in economic activities to increase competitiveness by adding value through product processing.
Those present at the ceremony were addressed by the Mayor of Smederevo, Jasmina Vojinović, who stressed that support for farmers is much more than a policy measure: it is a duty towards the people who preserve the roots and tradition of this area.
“I am extremely proud when we are at gatherings like this and doing something good for our farmers, knowing that the City gives them reliable backing and support.
We are aware of how much effort, work and enormous energy it takes to do and achieve something in agriculture.
You selflessly look after your native soil, and that deserves every praise. We must never forget where our roots are, because the village gave us all and we will have to keep returning to the village,” said Mayor Vojinović, congratulating the farmers on the subsidies they had received.
The Mayor particularly emphasised that agriculture requires constant investment, which is why this year Smederevo allocated significantly more funds than cities of a similar size in Serbia, which spend on average between RSD 45 and 50 million on agriculture.
In her address, she underlined that her primary task as Mayor is to create equal living conditions both in the city centre and in Smederevo’s villages. In this regard, she spoke about the key capital projects that directly raise the quality of life outside the city core.
She said that, through investment in preschool education over the past three years, new kindergartens have opened in four villages, providing a total of 475 new places for young children.
“Working and learning conditions have been improved in many schools recently, and this summer work is also under way on upgrading the sports grounds at some village schools in order to provide children with suitable conditions for sport,” the Mayor stressed.
As the most strategically important project for the future of rural development, she announced the construction of a large water supply network with reservoirs for the villages in the Morava part of the area, stretching from Vranovo to Saraorci.
A building permit has already been obtained for this investment, and the design for the secondary network, which will bring water to every individual house in this part of the municipality, is currently being drawn up.
Investment in better living conditions, rural infrastructure and direct incentives for agricultural holdings will remain a lasting commitment and an absolute priority of the City of Smederevo in the coming period, it was said at the ceremony presenting the subsidy contracts to farmers.
