AGRITECH 2017 06-07 th December 2017, Podgorica AGRI Potentials of Capital City Podgorica Vladimir Pavićević, MSc Deputy Secretary Secretariat for labor, youth and social care
Main characteristics of Montenegro s agriculture and food production enviroment Montenegro: area 13,812 km2, population 625,000 population density 45.25/km2 Land resources: 517,000 ha of total agricultural land, or 0.82 ha per capita 190,000 ha of arable land, or 0.30 ha per capita Agriculture is quite diversified from olive and citrus growing in the coastal region, early vegetables and tobacco in the central to extensive sheep breeding in the northern region Montenegro is a net importer of food (about 400 mill. per year)
Basic characteristics of the climate in Podgorica The climate of Podgorica is affected by the Adriatic Sea, via Bojana river valley and Skadar Lake. Under the influence of surrounding mountains, the Mediterranean climate changes, so that Podgorica has an altered - Mediterranean climate that is characterized by hot and dry summers and mild and rainy winters. The mean annual air temperature in Podgorica is 15.8 C; the warmest month is July with a mean air temperature of 26.8 C, and the coldest January with a mean air temperature of 5.4 C. The average annual amount of precipitation in Podgorica is 1632 liters / m2, the most severe month is November with an average rainfall of 246 liters / m2, and the driest is July with an average amount of 27 liters / m2. The average relative humidity is 63%. The smallest mean relative humidity of 49% is in July, and the highest of 75% in November. The climate of Podgorica is characterized by a relatively large number of hours of sunshine, so that in Podgorica the annual average is 2460 hours of sunshine, the highest in July, 340 hours, and at least in December, 105 hours, when the duration of the day is the shortest.
The condition for development of Agriculture in Podgorica Agriculture, together with tourism, has an important role in the economy of Montenegro and the capital of Podgorica. However, based on the official statistics in agriculture, only 1.5% of the total number of employees in Montenegro is permanently employed in this sector. Climatic and soil conditions are very favorable (Zeta, Malesija, part of the Bjelopavlići plain), and enable early ripening of fruits and a long period of fruiting. Altitude in Podgorica is 44 meters, from only a dozen meters on the shore of Skadar Lake to 2000 meters on the surrounding mountains. In the plain part of the Zeta, Malesija and Bjelopavlići, viticulture, farming and vegetable farming are represented, while in the northern part of the capital, a large number of farms are engaged in cattle breeding, with small farms (cattle, sheep, goats). The arable agricultural land accounts for 34% of the total agricultural area, while the share of pastures is considerably higher, around 63%. If we consider only plowed land, fields, orchards and vineyards within the arable land, then this percentage is lower and it is about 16.83%.
The history of the development of agriculture in Podgorica and Montenegro "The region of the Zeta Littoral with its cities, as well as the cities in the coastal part of the Skadar Lake, were the most important sources of economic life in Zeta before, during and after the Nemanjic s period in Zeta * During the XIV century, merchants from Podgorica and Zeta, who trade in leather, livestock, salt, weapons and wine, also appear in Kotor. At that time, Zeta supplied Kotor and Dubrovnik with highquality bleak from the Skadar Lake and olive oil from Bar, and was also known for cultivating vines and wine production. During the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, agriculture developed mainly on monastery property, which had the privileges of land use, given by the then Zetian feudal lords. Thus, they produce grape vines, dried figs for export, and other products that have been marketed. Agriculture has long been the most important branch of the rural economy. Rich pastures, meadows and foresters have provided favorable conditions for the development of livestock economy in the continental part of the Zeta or Montenegro. *Marović, B. (2006) Ekonomska Istorija Crne Gore, CID, Podgorica, str. 46
The history of the development of agriculture in Podgorica and Montenegro Despite the fact that the territory of Montenegro almost doubled after the Berlin Congress in 1878, the economic problems that existed before were not solved. The agrarian reform, which implied the granting of property on liberated territories, did not fully achieve its goal, but it facilitated the functioning of the state and the population. This contributed to the fact that agriculture in Montenegro assumed primacy in relation to cattle breeding. Immediately after the Berlin Congress, the state took a number of measures to improve agriculture. The second Agricultural school was opened in 1893 in Podgorica. New nurseries are opened, whose capacities in 1909 amount to 95,200 seedlings of various fruit trees. In 1907, farmers' cooperatives were formed in Zeta and Niksic. After 1878, fishing in Montenegro began to develop gradually and in a more perfect way. In large quantities, the processed fish from Skadar Lake were exported. After the signing of the contract with Montenegro, the Italian jointstock company entitled "Association of Cooperative Management of Montenegrin Tobacco", at the end of 1903, started construction of a tobacco factory in Podgorica, and by the end of 1904 it completed construction works.
The history of the development of agriculture in Podgorica and Montenegro By 1907, the Italians invested about 3,500,000 kroner in the Tobacco Monopoly, which was an extremely large investment at that time. The factory produced about 200 tons of tobacco and cigarettes annually and employed 150 to 200 workers. A certain quantity of tobacco products has been exported to Western Europe: France, Italy, Austria- Hungary and Germany. After World War I, montenegrin agriculture continues with the traditional production of olives, olive oil, citrus fruits and grape growing in the Zeta Plain and the surrounding area. Tobacco production was reduced, since after 1918 tobacco processing in Montenegro was not carried out. The low purchase price of tobacco until 1936 influenced a significant decrease in tobacco production in Montenegro. However, after the renewal of Tobacco Monopoly in Podgorica in 1937, purchase prices of tobacco increased, and with them tobacco production. Production of tobacco in Montenegro, primarily Podgorica and Danilovgrad, reached the level of cca 490 tons in 1939.
Current development of agriculture in Podgorica Vegetable production In vegetable production: potato, watermelon, melon, tomato and pepper take a significant place. Potatoes are mostly produced in the Capital city. In this year, about 700 ha of potatoes were planted in the territory of the capital. Viticulture: Plantaze are leading wine producer in country and region. Many small producers in Podgorica. Fruit growing: The Montenegrin sector of fruit growing is characterized by a great fragmentation. Almost all rural households grow fruit, mainly for their own consumption. Due to the increase in demand, through the development of rural tourism, fruit production should be developed to meet the needs of the market. Tobacco production was based on a total of 39 producers. Support is implemented in the form of direct payments per ha of planted tobacco. Support for the raising of plants of perennial medicinal and aromatic plants was realized by 7 producers in the amount of 26,800.00 euros.
Current development of agriculture in Podgorica Beekeeping The exceptional conditions of the Mediterranean and continental climate give this area a high quality honey. The abundance of sunshine and heat and a relatively small number of days with precipitation, favorable air humidity and good ventilation make basic climate characteristics and place Podgorica in the area where bees have a favorable habitat. There are about 50,000 hives in Montenegro, of which 10,000 are in the Capital city with honey production of about 100 tons or 10 kg per hive. Organic production Regarding the area of the Capital City, 13 producers are registered in the Registry of organic producers. Two of them have an organic product certificate for: honey, figs and pomegranate.
Obstacles for local development - Local spatial zoning plans, - Low level of education and readiness to learn of local producers, - Weak knowledge and understanding about procedures for financing projects, - We have not so good communication between European representatives, National authorities, Local authorities and producers, - Big percentage of unregistered producers.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! CAPITAL CITY PODGORICA Secretariat for labor, youth and social care Mr. Vladimir Pavićević Deputy Secretary Cell. +382 69 066 881, e-mail: vladimir.pavicevic@podgorica.me