And this year, one of the big problems of vegetable growers is the labor force.
The Vakčić family in Mala Obarska produces cabbage on 5 dunums, they are satisfied with the yield and quality of this year’s crop, and although they have not drawn the line yet, this season they expect about 2,000 sacks, or about 26 tons of this vegetable.
“These days we cut the cabbage and pack it for sale. We are trying to get the cabbage off the field so we can start the fall sowing of winter grains. We are a little disturbed by the frequent changes of sun and rain, but we are bringing this work to an end”, begins the story for the InfoBijeljina portal Đorđe Vakčić.
Because of the tropical temperatures, they irrigated the arable fields all summer, so the cabbage produced a great harvest.
SATISFIED WITH PRODUCTION AND MARKET PRICE
They are also satisfied with the price that covers production costs.
“A bag of cabbage weighing 13 or 14 kilos wholesale costs about 10 KM, and for smaller ones it is more expensive for a mark, two. A carton, that is, a box in which we pack 12 larger heads of cabbage, costs 20 KM. Anyone who complains that it’s expensive should take a look, since cigarettes, alcohol and other luxuries are included. Food is not expensive”, says Đorđe Vakčić.
Photo: InfoBijeljina
THE WORKFORCE IS STILL A PROBLEM
And this year, one of the big problems of vegetable growers is the labor force.
The work is mostly done by family members because it is increasingly difficult to hire workers for this work who are getting older every year.
“Per diems are more and more expensive, but no matter how much we pay, young people will not do this work. In the season of cutting and packing cabbage, friends and relatives usually come over. Thanks to the fact that we have easily available water, we have built irrigation systems, so we have made at least this part of the job easier,” says the respected Sember host.
He adds that vegetable production is accompanied by other problems.
“The authorities should strengthen the control of imported seeds whose germination is becoming more and more questionable from year to year. Insects also cause difficulties, and due to the harmonization of regulations with the EU, the chemical preparations available to us are less and less effective. “I also think that the ticket for the daily entrance to the Knez Ivo od Semebrije Agrotržnik market in Knez Ivo od Semebrije is too high”, said Vakčić for InfoBijeljina.
AGRICULTURE CAN MAKE A LIVING
He says that, after all, you can make a solid living from agriculture.
“I never whined, I never asked for anything. The premiums and incentives we receive from the Government of the RS and the City of Bijeljina are a wind at our backs, but I learned from my ancestors and I am teaching this to my children, that only hard and harmonious work can ensure a good and beautiful life for the family” , concludes Vakčić.
According to estimates, about 800 vegetable growers are engaged in the production of cabbage in Semberija, who on average produce this crop on one or more hectares.
They rate this year’s season as one of the better ones, so they will go into the next production cycle with optimism.
Source: akta.ba
