Role of agriculture and multifunctional rural development in Serbia

Abstract

<jats:p>Serbia is mostly rural country, as three fourth of its territory make rural areas, while almost half population is living in rural areas. Serbian agriculture is the sector which is very important for the total economy of the country in respect of resources, participation in GDP, employment as well as importance for rural areas and population. This is the only sector in Serbian economy that shows positive foreign trade balance in the recent several years.There are potentials for development of agrarian entrepreneurship on one hand, but on the other, there are constraints in existence of great number of small family farms whereas the huge share could not have commercial profile and could not live only from agricultural activities. The concept of multifunctional development of agriculture and rural areas is still present mostly in scientific and political sphere without clear explanation or interpretation as well as mechanisms of implementation. Serbia’s rural space is heterogenic and devastated in different extent, and therefore extremely complicated for planning of multifunctional development.</jats:p>

Biomass gasification with CHP production: A review of state of the art technology and near future perspectives

“…Agriculture land in Serbia is occupying the area of 5,100,000 ha out of which, 3,600,000 ha is cultivated [9]. Agriculture land in Serbia is occupying the area of 5,100,000 ha out of which, 3,600,000 ha is cultivated [9].…”

“…These two groups of agricultural producers have different practice of using biomass residues. The reasons are: no need for using biomass residues for cattle breeding, their existing domestic stoves or boilers are not adjusted to burning large pieces of straw or similar raw (unprocessed) biomass residues, and there is no market for selling biomass residues [9]. But, at small agricultural farms, from their point of view it is useless to collect biomass residues after harvesting.…”

“…Presently, in large agricultural farms much less biomass residues are used for livestock breeding than at small private farms [9]. S115-S130 fields [9]. The reasons are: no need for using biomass residues for cattle breeding, their existing domestic stoves or boilers are not adjusted to burning large pieces of straw or similar raw (unprocessed) biomass residues, and there is no market for selling biomass residues [9].…”

“…But, at small agricultural farms, from their point of view it is useless to collect biomass residues after harvesting. The total biomass residues from fruit growing can be estimated at about 475,000 t and with its average heating value of 14 MJ/kg, the energy potential of biomass residues from fruit trees pruning is about 159,000 toe [9]. As a result, they often burn down straw and other biomass residues at fields.…”

A snapshot of Western Balkan’s agriculture from the perspective of EU accession

“…In case of Serbia it was the reason behind the increased share of agricultural labour force from 2008 to 2009. Agriculture is an important Data source: WTO employer in Serbia due to the reduced employment opportunities in the other two sectors (Bogdanov and Vasiljevic, 2011). In addition, this enormous temporary increase was also caused by the signifi cant change in the tax system.…”