Croatia lost half of its crop due to drought
A drought in the Western Balkans has destroyed out 50 percent of Croatia’s future crops, with maize and soybeans being hit the hardest – as noted by manufacturers at a meeting with the government, RIA Novosti reports
Agricultural producers of Croatia have met with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and members of the Cabinet of Ministers in the government in Zagreb. According to them, future losses will amount to at least 1bn Kunas (about 133m Euros). The authorities had previously promised financial assistance in the amount of 200m Kunas (approximately 26.6m Euros).
“We have requested an early disbursement of financial assistance, at least 80 percent in October, so that farmers can use these funds. We demand that various administrative restrictions for agricultural producers be reduced. There are also problems with the supply and use of diesel fuel causing great damage to us,” said Head of the Croatian Chamber of Agriculture Mato Brlošić.
According to agricultural manufacturers, future corn and soybean crops have been hit the hardest, as there has been no rain for two and a half months. Farmers say at least 50 percent of crops are under threat.
“We demand the declaration of a natural disaster,” national television quotes the agrarians as saying.
