Consultations Held with Agricultural Associations within the ECOBASE Project

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Montenegro, within the ECOBASE project implemented through the Interreg IPA ADRION programme, is carrying out activities aimed at preserving soil health and ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources. In this context, field visits and discussions were conducted with agricultural associations in the central and northern regions, with the goal of collecting data, identifying challenges, and exchanging experiences.

Representatives of the associations highlighted that the main causes of soil degradation are linked to human activity – land conversion for construction purposes, abandonment of arable land, grassland burning, and limited access to lease unused land. In Pljevlja, particular emphasis was placed on issues related to old mining pits and neglected infrastructure, while in Nikšić, the need for continuous increase in livestock numbers was underscored, as it directly impacts the quality and management of pastures. The participants also stressed the need for better enforcement of legislation, producer education, and more effective institutional coordination.

During the consultations, project activities related to the development of tools for soil data exchange were presented, as well as information on the drafting of the new Law on Agricultural Land. Participants shared concrete proposals for improving the legal framework and protecting fertile land. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management actively participates in international projects of this kind, with a particular focus on linking scientific and state institutions with agricultural producers.