Ensuring the improvement of agricultural competitiveness through the human resource development

Abstract

Human resources are one of the driving forces and main determinants of agricultural competitiveness, contributing to its improvement through properly formed and constantly renewed knowledge and skill enhancement of agricultural workers. In the context of scarce natural resources, demographic changes, need for more intensive agricultural production based on modern technology, human resource development in agriculture becomes imperative. The aim of the research is to assess the human resources in agriculture of Serbia through the prism of data available in the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia and World Bank. The research results show fluctuations in the rural population and employees in agriculture in the analysed period, confirming their negative trend and predicting further decrease based on the forecast method. In order to overcome limitations related to the number and qualifications of agricultural employees, the special focus has been given to the formal and informal education of workers in agriculture, ensuring their capability to respond to market needs and future challenges.

Managing Employee Performance in the Agricultural Sector: Importance of Human Capital Development

“…In the conditions of rapid population growth and post-epidemic recession, the agricultural sector is becoming an increasingly important economic branch at the global level, since the global food crisis is becoming increasingly apparent. Due to the increasing role of human resources in agriculture, as well as the efforts of firms to improve operations and respond to the challenges of global competition, agricultural firms should take care of regular investment in education and expertise, and the development of employees in order to acquire modern knowledge and competences (Dimovski et al, 2022). The need for additional investment in human resources of agricultural firms becomes justified, taking into account scarce natural resources as well as demographic and technological changes (Dimovski et al, 2022).…”

“…Due to the increasing role of human resources in agriculture, as well as the efforts of firms to improve operations and respond to the challenges of global competition, agricultural firms should take care of regular investment in education and expertise, and the development of employees in order to acquire modern knowledge and competences (Dimovski et al, 2022). The need for additional investment in human resources of agricultural firms becomes justified, taking into account scarce natural resources as well as demographic and technological changes (Dimovski et al, 2022). Bearing in mind the stated reasons for investing in the human capital of agricultural firms, the authors of Hadelan et al (2022) emphasize that agricultural firms provide a significant contribution to employability and job creation, thus contributing to local rural employment and providing a social, cultural and environmental contribution to the sustainability of rural areas.…”

“…The agricultural sector in Serbia resisted the challenges of the political and economic crisis, continuously contributing to the good economic results of the country (Žarevac Bošković et al, 2022;Dimovski et al, 2022). Improving the competence of human resources is particularly important in order for the agricultural sector of Serbia to increase its participation in the international market, especially the EU market (Dimovski et al, 2022). Based on STAT.YEARB.SERB data (2022), employment in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector in Serbia shows a tendency to decrease from 2019 to 2021.…”

“…Therefore, there is a need to analyze the role of human capital, as a micro factor of business, in agricultural firms. Second, previous studies analyzed the importance of human capital in the agricultural sector through effective human resources policies (Ryazanova, 2019); training and development of employees (Pansuwong et al, 2023); formal and informal education (Dimovski et al, 2022). However, previous studies did not analyze the efficiency of the use of human capital through HCE in the agricultural sector.…”

“…By analyzing HCE firms monitor how capable they are of creating value through the efficient use of human capital (Pulić, 2004). Third, previous studies have analyzed the relationship between human capital and the competitiveness of agricultural firms (Dimovski et al, 2022); human capital and growth of firms (Pansy Wong et al, 2023); human resource management and motivation in agriculture (Ilic et al, 2022). Vukoje et al (2022) consider that future research should be based on the analysis of the financial performance of agricultural firms and farms, as well as the analysis of available capacities as the main drivers of the agricultural sector.…”