LocationsEU4AGRI – Modernizing Agri-Food Sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina: For Thriving Rural Areas
European Union Support to Agriculture Competitiveness and Rural Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EU4AGRI) Project is a four-year initiative (2020-2024) that aims to modernize agri-food sector, create new jobs, as well as retain existing ones, and support recovery from crisis caused by COVID-19 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The EU4Agri project is primarily funded by the European Union (EU) under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). Worth EUR 20 million, the project is implemented and co-funded jointly by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Czech Development Agency (CzDA).
Project focuses on raising investment in the agri-food sector and increasing the knowledge and skills level of agricultural producers and other participants in the value chains through the expanded provision of advisory services, as well as by improving economic opportunities in rural areas. The project also enhances the policy environment through a coherent and complementary set of activities, including strengthening of institutional capacities and services, as well as supporting the improvements in policy and regulatory frameworks.
The project’s contribution to the agri-food sector competitiveness is expected through following results:
- Higher levels of production of safe and quality food based on introduced innovative practices, while preserving the natural resources and the countryside, are sustained; and
- Policy actions are implemented in EU aligned manner, based on sector services and systems improved.
Project EU4Agri is fully aligned with the Strategic Plan for Rural Development of BIH (2018-2021) – Framework Document, designed to guide the development of BIH agriculture and rural development sector, as well as with the BIH Economic Reform Programme (2019-2021).
Project EU4Agri contributes to Sustainable Development Goals that work to, amongst other, end hunger and achieve food security, promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all and reduce inequality within and among countries.
Presenting EU4Agri project
Background
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) is an upper middle-income country with 3.5 million population, which is gradually declining and aging. Around 60% of the population lives in rural areas (villages and scarcely populated municipalities). The country has a high level of human development but is still below the average for the Europe and Central Asia region.
Poverty remains a concern, particularly in rural areas that are generally characterized by fewer job opportunities, weak physical infrastructure and public services, as well as limited access to markets, business development and financial services. Unemployment rates in rural areas are considerable and can be 40% higher than in the main urban centres. Wages are also 25% lower, while the estimated GDP per capita is less than half the level reported in urban environments.
Agriculture is one of the most important economic sectors in the country employing around 130,000 people. There are over 125,000 registered farms in the country, with the average farm size around 2.6 hectares.
Agricultural productivity, value added, and competitiveness generally remain low. In addition to the fragmentation of land use patterns, topographic characteristics, land-ownership challenges and the quality of soil limit agricultural production. Other challenges include land degradation and loss of productive agricultural land. Constraints on growth include a high share of small and inefficient farms, inadequate or outdated technology and skills, the unfavourable age structure of producers, limited access to finance and integration into European value chains, and poor market access.
What we do?
UNDP, together with CzDA, is responsible for the implementation of the Project activities. Total value of the Project is EUR 20.2 million, while EUR 14.8 million will be allocated for investment support targeting agri-food sector competitiveness in three areas: 1) investment in primary production and processing capacities to strengthen market efficiency; 2) strengthening advisory and extension services to increase knowledge sharing and skills development and 3) strengthening and diversifying the rural economy.
The investment support will serve as Project financing mechanism to effectively support beneficiaries and achieve the set targets. The investment support will be distributed through public Calls for proposals.
Project will also offer technical assistance to enable investment support implementation, while engaging institutional partners and ensuring anchoring of relevant knowledge, skills and practices for result-oriented public policy delivery.
Expected Results
It is expected that the project will contribute to an environment of improved competitiveness through following results:
1) Higher levels of production of safe and quality food based on introduced innovative practices, while preserving the natural resources and the countryside, are sustained; and
2) Policy actions are implemented in EU aligned manner, based on sector services and systems improved.
Main Beneficiaries
Agri-food business operators
Agricultural cooperatives
Advisory and extension services providers
Local communities and rural farmers
Prospective entrepreneurs
Governmental institutions
Status
Ongoing
Project start date
March 2020
Estimated end date
February 2024
Geographic coverage
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Project value
EUR 20.200.000
Donor
European Union
Focus area
Rural and Regional Development
Partners
- Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Food Safety Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry of Federation BiH
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Republika Srpska
- Office for Harmonization and Coordination of Payment Systems in Agriculture, Food and Rural Development of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Office of EU Integrations of Federation BiH
Related Materials
Impact
Related Content
