Minister Hrnjić Meets Turkish Ambassador to BiH: Strengthening Cooperation in Agriculture

Federal Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry Kemal Hrnjić and his associates met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Bosnia and Herzegovina H.E. Emin Akseki, to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation in livestock breeding, with a particular focus on modern technologies for artificial insemination.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, led by Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar, along with representatives of the Turkish Embassy and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

Participants highlighted the potential for closer ties between Turkish scientific and educational institutions, the University of Sarajevo, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, and federal institutes.

Representatives of the Burdur University presented their capacities in veterinary medicine and livestock breeding. They noted in particular that the university runs a farm of around 300 h and that one of its key areas of work is the genetic improvement of domestic animals, including the production and transfer of embryos of high genetic value. The university has considerable professional and scientific expertise in reproductive technologies in livestock breeding — especially embryo production in cattle — which provides a strong basis for cooperation with institutions and experts in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Rector Dalgar stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina, given its climate and geography, has excellent potential for livestock development, and that there is room for more intensive cooperation between the two countries in this field. He also noted that academics from Bosnia and Herzegovina have already visited Burdur to learn about the experiences and practices applied in Turkey.

Special focus was on the production and use of high-genetic-value embryos. University representatives emphasized that this field demanded a high level of expertise, modern technology and strict biosafety procedures, particularly when it comes to disease prevention.

They expressed readiness to provide professional and scientific support to the University of Sarajevo and relevant institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to enable the exchange of knowledge and experience, including education and professional training for veterinarians from Bosnia and Herzegovina in Turkey.

The discussion also covered the possibility of establishing a center for the production and use of high-quality reproductive material. University representatives said they were ready, in line with regulations and the needs of institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to support such a project and place their professional and scientific capacities at its disposal. They also highlighted the potential for cooperation with federal institutes, with the aim of creating an institutional framework for projects in reproductive technologies in livestock breeding.

As one of the next steps, the formation of an expert team was proposed under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, to include representatives of veterinary institutions, the University of Sarajevo and competent federal institutes. The team’s task would be to assess possibilities, draft proposals for concrete activities and provide professional support for future cooperation.

The meeting also explored ways to involve other higher education institutions, including the International University of Sarajevo (IUS), in projects that would foster knowledge exchange, professional development and modern technologies in agriculture and livestock breeding.

Yesterday, a separate meeting was held to discuss the current state and development potential of nursery production in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Turkey, as well as possible steps toward cooperation and the exchange of experience in producing planting material. The meeting was led by Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Food Industry Bešćo Alibegović, who praised the approach of representatives of the Turkish association of agricultural producers. They expressed readiness to transfer knowledge and technology and to consider joint investments in developing nursery production in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On behalf of the ministry, readiness was expressed to provide support, within its competences, for joint investments and projects aimed at developing nursery production in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A visit by a broader Turkish delegation was also announced, which should open the door to more concrete discussions on cooperation, knowledge exchange and potential investments in this field.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry remains committed to strengthening international and institutional cooperation that can help improve domestic production, develop livestock breeding, apply modern scientific achievements and build the capacities of domestic agricultural producers.