Public forum "Challenges of Herzegovinian agriculture - the role of higher education institutions"

At the Faculty of Agromediterranean, Džemal Bijedić University in Mostar, a public forum entitled "Challenges of Herzegovinian agriculture - the role of higher education institutions" was held today.
Present from the business sector, students, teachers had the opportunity to listen to an interesting discussion on an interesting topic, as well as the issues facing this branch of the economy.

At the beginning of the public tribune, the guests were greeted by the Dean of the Faculty of Agro-Mediterranean, University "Džemal Bijedić" in Mostar, Prof. Dr. Elma Temim, referring to the work of the Faculty of Agromediterranean, its place in higher education in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She emphasized the importance of upgrading curricula with knowledge about technologies, especially information technologies and new production systems. She underlined the possibility of self-employment, which is not a practice in some other branches.

Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food, University of Sarajevo, prof.dr. Muhamed Brka commented on the overall situation in the agriculture of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the departure of young people from the country, emphasizing the importance of the profession and the need for constant education and upgrading of knowledge. It is important to develop all branches of agriculture, and that Bosnia and Herzegovina has large untapped natural resources.

Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology, University of Mostar prof.dr. Ivan Ostojić commented on the situation with the evidently smaller number of students at the faculties of agronomy. He pointed out that for quality students, future engineers always have vacancies and that food production is irreplaceable compared to some other branches.

Haris Hajdarović, B.Sc. HEPOK's chief oenologist gave a brief overview of the company's many years of experience and the activities currently being undertaken. Constant growth of production, modernization of equipment and quality staff is what we strive for and what promises success.

Nedim Badžak, B.Sc. in Agriculture, Director of Jaffa Komerc, emphasized the successful cooperation with the Faculty of Agromediterranean, and the fact that part of the practical classes, as well as a large number of researches in this field are performed on their plantations.

Armina Nožić, Master of Science in Agriculture, Chief Engineer of Hercegovinalijek, mentioning the resources of this company, underlined the importance of responding to market needs. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to constantly upgrade the acquired knowledge, but also to apply innovations in agriculture.

Director of the Federal Agro-Mediterranean Institute prof.dr. Marko Ivanković emphasized the need for the almost neglected area of agrarian policy in the curricula of agricultural faculties. Knowledge of agricultural policy is extremely necessary in order to guide young people towards prosperity in this economic branch.

Representatives of the economy emphasized that they are open for cooperation with faculties and that they make their resources available to higher education.
All participants agreed that political structures, unfortunately, do not see that food production, especially domestic, is irreplaceable and without competition. Uncontrolled food imports have completely jeopardized the production of quality domestic food. Without the connection of science with the economy, there is no prosperity, is the conclusion of this successful public forum.