Takac: Slovakia's Agriculture Must Focus on Special Plant Production

Bratislava/Senec, 1 December (TASR) - Slovakia's agriculture must focus more on special plant production, especially the production of fruit, vegetables, potatoes and grapes, Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) told a traditional seminar called 'The Future of Special Crop Production in Slovakia' held in Senec (Bratislava region) on Monday, with representatives of agricultural self-government and fruit and vegetable growers in attendance. "Farmers who were used to having 1,500 hectares and growing only three or four basic crops will have to change their approach. They'll also have to start focusing more on special crop production. In my opinion, we have great conditions for growing fruit and vegetables, and I think we need to take advantage of this," explained Takac. "It's one thing to grow some fruit and vegetables, but we must also do our best to create added value, that is, final products," stressed the minister. Slovak Agricultural and Food Chamber (SPPK) vice-president Emil Macho views the idea that vegetables including potatoes will be grown and supplied to large retail chains by small farmers as naive and not the way to go. "Great regional producers, who are able to supply this to customers with added value, can do this. Big farmers must supply retail chains, and they definitely need to be supported by the state. Special plant production is labour-intensive, so support must come partly, for example, in some form of tax relief," added Macho. ko/df