Status of Agricultural Biotechnology and Biosafety in Selected Countries of the Balkans, the Caucasus and Moldova July 2003
Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska)
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- 1.3.2 National agricultural policy
- 1.3.3 Status of biotechnology research
- 1.3.5 Applications of biotechnology
- 1.3.7 Areas requiring support
1.3 Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska)1.3.1 Profile of national agricultureThe state of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is divided into two: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and the Republic of Srpska (RS). Each has its own ministry of agriculture, forestry and water management. The state is mountainous. In both parts of the republic agriculture and forest occupy over 50 percent of the total land area, while RS (1.3 million ha arable, 0.6 million ha meadow and pasture) has the larger share of arable land and FBiH (1.25 million ha arable, 0.75 million ha meadow and pasture) the larger share of grazing land. Overall 40 percent of the land area is under (coniferous) forest, 14 percent is arable and 20 percent pasture. Land mines remaining from the civil conflict (1992-1995) still affect 100 000 ha of the country and severely restrict opportunities for expanding agricultural production. FBiH was disproportionately affected by the war in comparison with RS. Recent natural disasters have also taken their toll on agricultural productivity. Over half a million small-scale private farms occupy 94 percent of the agricultural land; state farms occupy the remainder. Farm size is about 5-7 ha split into several plots. At privatization a landholding limit of 10 ha was set that has not allowed for advantage to be taken of economies of scale. However, during the time of the SFRY, unlike in most other centrally planned economies, land was not collectivized. The war has had a massive negative effect on issues of land ownership in BiH that has in turn had a negative impact on agricultural production. Major crops are maize (feed), wheat, oat and barley. Production of oilseeds, sugarbeet and tobacco remains at 15 percent of pre-war levels, although cereal yields have returned to pre-war levels. The agricultural sector contributed 24.6 percent to GDP in 1996. This fell to 16 percent in 2000. 1.3.2 National agricultural policyWar has had a major consequence on agriculture in BiH. Policies have therefore been directed to rehabilitation of agriculture, rural development and natural resource management. FBiH suffered to a greater extent than RS during the conflict. The Government is not willing to work with GMO crops or import GMO products for fear of losing potential export markets and ruining chances of securing markets for organic produce. Some key contacts are given in Table 4. Table 4. Key contacts in Bosnia and Herzegovina
1.3.3 Status of biotechnology researchRelatively little research using biotechnology is undertaken in either the crop or livestock sector. ELISA is used for livestock diagnostics and nearly half of the cattle are reproduced using AI, but little is done beyond this. 1.3.4 Ongoing biotechnology projectsOngoing projects are limited to application of in vitro production of a range of vegetable, tree, ornamental and crop species. Haploids, protoplasts and embryo rescue techniques are used in breeding. Molecular markers are used to a small extent. Specific programmes are outlined in Table 5. Table 5. Biotechnology in research institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina
1.3.5 Applications of biotechnologyThe only applications of biotechnology concern micropropagation. 1.3.6 Regulatory frameworks for biosafety of GMOs and IPRThere are no laws in existence that cover GMOs, but there is IPR legislation. There are facilities for testing for the presence of GMOs in food and crops. 1.3.7 Areas requiring supportThe economy of BiH is still in disarray following the war and with the decline in contribution of the agriculture sector to the economy, funds for research and education are in short supply. The economic crisis in the country means that standards of education and training could be improved considerably. As in the other Balkan countries, maintenance and rehabilitation of infrastructure are priority areas. Farm equipment is largely obsolete and the war has ruined the chances of rapid recovery through direct destruction and planting of landmines. Large tracts of potentially useful forest (30 percent of the reserves of the SFRY) have been rendered unsafe because of the presence of landmines. BiH participates in regional networks, including the Organization of Islamic Conference, OSCE and the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe, but would need to be better integrated into European and international scientific networks. Telecommunications were quickly restored after hostilities ceased in the area, but Internet use remains relatively low. In 1999 there were only 3 500 Internet users, while in Croatia there were 200 000. This represents a four-fold difference based on their respective populations. Lack of funds has meant that access to scientific information through international journals has been limited. There is no legislation that covers GMOs and support for its development would be needed. Directory: SDR SDR -> Gestalt: Integrated Support for Implementation and Analysis in Machine Learning Download 494.97 Kb. Share with your friends:
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