Over 30 Million BAM Required for Modernisation, Minister Hrnjić Confirms After Meeting with Technical Institutions in Agriculture

Federal Minister Kemal Hrnjić met yesterday with representatives from the Federation’s agricultural and veterinary organizations – the Agropedological Institute of FBiH, the BiH Plant Health Administration, the BiH Food Safety Agency, and the Veterinary Faculty in Sarajevo – for a working meeting on sector priorities.

The meeting focused on the current capacities of institutions in the agriculture, veterinary and plant protection sectors, and explored how these could be strengthened through the procurement of modern equipment and devices – essential for more efficient professional, laboratory, and control work.

Minister Hrnjić underscored that strengthening institutional capacities was one of the essential prerequisites for developing competitive and sustainable agricultural production in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He noted that the Ministry supports institutions across the Federation through the financing and co-financing of equipment, and that modernising technical working conditions directly translates into better services for farmers, more efficient inspections, and greater alignment with contemporary standards in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and food safety.

Representatives of institutions at various levels of government briefed the Minister on their current needs for laboratory, diagnostic, and field equipment, and underscored the importance of sustained investment in professional and scientific capacities that provide vital support to domestic agricultural production. It was noted that the total value of equipment required by these institutions exceeds 30 million BAM, and that addressing this need will most probably require a credit arrangement with an international financial institution.

Participants at the meeting underscored that upgrading to modern equipment and technologies would deliver significant gains – from faster and more precise testing, to more rigorous monitoring of plant and animal health, to enhanced quality control of farm products, and smarter management of land resources.

“As we pursue modernisation, we must ensure that every institution in the chain – from the state level, which handles imports and exports, to the entity, cantonal, and municipal levels – has the support it needs. Each has a distinct role, and each deserves that support,” Minister Hrnjić said.

The meeting ended with a shared commitment: to keep building the capacity of institutions that provide professional and scientific support to farmers. The goal, participants agreed, is clear—greater productivity, stronger competitiveness, and lasting sustainability for agricultural production in Bosnia and Herzegovina.