Takac: Number of Sheep in Slovakia Has Increased for First Time in Decade

Velke Teriakovce, 24 October (TASR) - The number of sheep in Slovakia has increased for the first time in 10 years, with more than 10,500 sheep being added, Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) told a press conference in Velke Teriakovce near the town of Rimavska Sobota (Banska Bystrica region) on Friday, noting that the total number of sheep now rose to around 294,000. According to the minister, the increase in the total number of sheep is linked to the systematic promotion of sheep farming. Sheep and goat farmers will receive a record €17.2 million in support in 2025, he said. At the same time, the Agriculture Ministry is also preparing new project calls for investments in primary production and food processing. "Slovakia produces twice as much cereals in agriculture as we need. Therefore, we need to focus on specialisation and creating value, for example by making finished products. Slovakia is a 50 percent rural country and the potential for us to gradually increase the share of sheep and goats is favourable," he said. According to Takac, the ministry plans to support processing directly on the farm, i.e. production from milk to cheese and sheep cheese, but also investment in sheep sheds, dairies and technology. According to the minister, an example of good practice in livestock farming is the farm in Velke Teriakovce, which is run by a family firm called Kelo and Sons. am