A healthy business environment must be created in the agricultural sector
by SPU Web Editor
Rejuvenating the sector, creating a healthy business environment, setting up education and professional advice and effectively managing the land - these are essential priorities for the development of the agricultural sector. "Slovakia needs a deep objective analysis of the situation in the agricultural sector, to set goals for how to develop this sector, to adapt policy based on the analysis," said Ján Pokrivčák, head of the Institute of Economic Policy and Finance of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (SUA), during the discussion. The future of Slovak agriculture will not only be decided by direct investments in production support, but also in the education and training of farmers. SUA prepares university-educated experts. However, it is essential that the practice participates to a greater extent and systematically in cooperation with the university in the creation of study programs and conditions for students' acquisition of practical skills. "After graduating from college, a person has knowledge, but no experience. That's why young people need to be motivated to get a job and start gaining experience," said Ján Pokrivčák.
He emphasized that a generational change is necessary in the agricultural sector. Throughout the European Union and also in Slovakia, the vast majority of farmers are over 50 years old, who need constant education and familiarization with modern trends in agriculture, new technologies and procedures. "In Slovakia, the comprehensive system of training farmers at a high-quality level does not work. Professional counseling and lifelong learning are absent. A major obstacle for farmers is the non-functioning AKIS - agricultural knowledge and innovation system," said Pokrivčák.
The expert also pointed out that, in addition to good education, practical experience and support, farmers need access to water and land, which must be managed efficiently and fairly. From the point of view of the youngest generation's access to land, the Slovak Land Fund could change the situation. It manages about 20 percent of agricultural land, either state-owned or land of unknown owners. "The Slovak Land Fund is obliged by law to give preference to young farmers and small farms when renting land. In fact, SLF only leased a very small area to these farms," stated Ján Pokrivčák. Another thing is that farmers cannot get land because it is very fragmented. "We have been trying to consolidate the land for thirty years, but so far we have consolidated only 12 percent. The company lacks interest in creating a good business environment for farmers," the expert pointed out.
According to the chairman of the Potato and Vegetable Union of the Slovak Republic, Jozef Šumichrast, a change in the management structure is also necessary. Young farmers should join forces and focus more on special crop production – fruits, vegetables, potatoes, scarce commodities.
In Slovakia, 40,000 people work in agriculture. As stated by the chairman of the Association of Young Farmers in Slovakia - ASYF, Marián Glovaťák, about 7,000 farmers manage 90 percent of the agricultural land in our country. "The sector needs to be made more flexible and rejuvenated. The only perspective for our agriculture is the creation of a fair business environment." All stakeholders at all levels in agriculture should cooperate more and not only compete in the fight for subsidies, the discussants agreed.