Bacteria that might be used as biopesticide found in Serbia

Microbiologists in Serbia discover bacteria that could be used to replace pesticides

In the village of Pastric, near Mionica in central Serbia, microbiologists found two hitherto unknown species of beneficial bacteria that, if the research confirms it, could be used for the production of biopesticides. The species called Pseudomonas serbica and Pseudomonas serboccidentalis, can, according to the scientists, protect plants from pathogens by various mechanisms, daily Vecernje Novosti writes.

The bacteria were discovered by an international team of scientists. The project is a collaboration between the Department of Environmental Microbiology of the Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade, the Claude Bernard University in Lyon, France, and the Czech Academy of Sciences. Analyses have shown that these two new bacteria can convert phosphorus, found in the soil in a form that is difficult for plants to access, into one that agricultural crops can use, says Irena Todorovic, who is working on this research as part of her PhD dissertation.

“Also, the two new bacteria can help plants better absorb iron from the soil. In addition, Pseudomonas serboccidentalis can produce hydrogen cyanide, which helps prevent the growth of pathogens,” says Todorovic. She adds that further research should be done to determine which properties of the newly discovered bacteria have a positive effect on the suppression of pathogens and the growth of plants. “If it turns out that these bacteria have great potential, they could be used for the production of biopesticides, which protect crops from diseases in a biologically acceptable way,” says Todorovic

Sustainability report: Zero pesticide residues in produce, antibiotic-free meat

This week, for the second consecutive year, Delhaize Serbia has presented its sustainability report. During its presentation, the CEO of Delhaize Serbia, Jan-Willem Dockheer, explained that the company particularly focuses on the responsible management of food surpluses, healthier and more balanced diets and environmental protection. Raising awareness on these topics was also underlined as strategically important.

Ahold Delhaize Serbia furthermore aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, both in its own operations, including in its stores and distribution centers and its logistics, but also in the entire supply chain that it plays an active role in.

One of Delhaize Serbia’s flagship projects is the production of antibiotic-free chicken meat.  Furthermore, through its ‘zero residue’ concept, the retail chain is collaborating with the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Belgrade to ensure fruits and vegetables free of pesticide residue in its shelves.

Establishing shorter supply chains by sourcing fruit and vegetables locally is also an important ambition of Ahold Delhaize Serbia, as it creates value for the local economy and reduces the environmental footprint of its activities. Today, the majority of the fresh assortment on the shelves at the company is produced in Serbia.  

Lastly, the sustainability report 2022 outlines its efforts in the area of waste management.  The total amount of collected waste in 2022 was 18,393.04 tons, of which 10,761.53 tons was sent to be recycled. Ahold Delhaize Group set an ambitious goal by 2025 - to make all plastic from private label products fully recyclable, compostable, and reusable, and the goal is to eliminate single-use plastic. Delhaize Serbia has been working together with  Sekopak to turn that ambition into reality in Serbia as well.

“EU Opportunity Week” presented prospects for Serbian farmers

On the fourth day of the EU Opportunity Week event, dedicated to agriculture, the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Serbia, Plamena Halacheva, emphasized the importance of the IPARD program, stating that “the use of EU IPARD funds in Serbia changed the situation in the agricultural sector in the country.”

“These grants have restored rural areas, increased productivity, improved market access and promoted sustainable practices. By investing in agriculture, rural infrastructure and food processing, IPARD funds have empowered local communities, created employment opportunities and improved living conditions,” Halacheva said. She added that by using IPARD funds, Serbian farmers gained access to modern technologies, high-quality equipment and advanced agricultural practices.

Halacheva warned however that part of the funds was not being used. “In the last two years, €16.5 million have not been used, with the risk of even more funds being returned to the EU by the end of the year. That would be unfortunate, bearing in mind that the needs of the sector are actually huge,” she stated.

Almost 1,500 farmers from Serbia have used EU IPARD funds so far, and within the new cycle of the same program, an additional €288 million from the EU grant scheme will be available to farmers as final users, topped up with another €90 million from Serbian national contribution.

More than two thousand trees on Belgrade waterfront, over 40% of area under greenery

More than 40% of the total area of the Belgrade Waterfront is covered with greenery, and more than 2,000 trees have been planted or will be planted as part of this project, company Belgrade Waterfront stated recently.

The company furthermore points out that the percentage of greenery in the area is constantly increasing because an average of 10 to 20 new trees are being planted every month. “When choosing plants, we strive to meet the demanding aesthetic standards of landscape architecture. That's why we purchase seedlings from the largest European plant nurseries. The greens for the beach around the Belgrade Tower, the new symbol of our capital, come from Bruns in Germany, which is famous for the exceptional quality of its seedlings. It is interesting that plants for the gardens of the Palace of Versailles and Disneyland Paris are procured from there as well,” said Milos Radonjic, Landscape Manager at the Belgrade Waterfront company.

Radonjic adds that every building on the Belgrade waterfront has an interior courtyard and that more than a third of every plot in this neighborhood is covered with greenery. Thanks to this fact, as well as the proximity of Sava Park and other large green areas, the area is now in line what the World Health Organization recommends; which is that there be at least 0.5 hectares of green area 300 meters from each building.

Forest cover 40% of Serbia

Serbia's current forest cover is about 40%, said the Director of the Serbian Forestry Administration, Sasa Stamatovic, at the final event of the Contribution of Sustainable Forest Management to Low Emissions and Resilient Development project implemented by FAO, UNI Freiburg and GEF .

Improved forest management planning on different levels is a key to promote biodiversity and climate change mitigation in Serbian forests. In 1937, forest cover in Serbia was 17% and in 2006 it was 29.1% Stamatovic added.

The goal of the project that started five years ago, was to aid the forestry sector in Serbia. “The project was supposed to help us create tools that are very important in sustainable forest management,” explained Stamatovic. One of such tools was an improved  information system. “One of the main results is the completion of the national forest inventory, which provides us with appropriate data on its functioning,” said Stamatovic. As he pointed out, this project helped solving systemic issues such as, according to him, the improvement of the legal framework, which facilitates the highest quality forest management. “The national inventory will give an insight into the state of Serbian forests,” said Stamatovic. The Forestry Officer of the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Office for Europe and Central Asia (FAO REU), Norbert Winkler-Rathonyi, also underlined the success the project has yielded.

A total of 340 thousand agricultural farms signed up for E-Agrar platform

A total of 340,000 farms signed up for the E-Agrar electronic service, stated Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Jelena Tanaskovic, assessing that the digitalization program has come to life and some errors that existed have been corrected. Tanaskovic told TV channel Pink that it was not an easy task to establish a system and for everyone to sign up, but the Ministry has been waiting for everyone to be able to apply for subsidies through this system.

“The public call was extended, we looked at how many applicants there were in previous years, we extended it until everyone applied, and now the payments are commencing,” the Minister explained. She announced that the payment of the second part of aid to farmers in the amount of €77 EUR per farmer would begin, and those who did not receive money the first time would now receive the full amount of €154. This is an incentive for plant production (per hectare) which was negotiated between the Government and the farmers in late May this year.

By the end of the week, the money will be paid to the beekeepers, and next week, the payment of other subsidies will begin. Speaking about the damage caused by the floods, Tanaskovic said that it was less extensive than It was in 2014, but that they are now working on properly assessing it. “We will find a way for compensation when we sum up everything that had happened,” stressed Tanaskovic. She also said that Serbian raspberries, which according to the Minister are of high quality, and better than Polish and Ukrainian ones, should find an adequate place on the market. “Last year's price of €4.2-€5.2/kg is not realistic this year, but we have to respect the efforts of the producers because they do most of the work,” said the Minister.

Easier employment in member countries of Open Balkans from July announced

The single labor market in the Open Balkans region could start operating from July. The Minister of domestic and foreign trade of Serbia, Tomislav Momirovic, stated that there were efforts toward establishing a unique identification number for each person in the markets of the countries within the Open Balkans region in - June so that they would be able to find employment in any of the countries within this initiative.

At the “Open Balkan Forum 2” conference, Momirovic reminded that there were also efforts toward having a single electronic toll collection tag that would be valid in Serbia, North-Macedonia and Albania , according to the website of the Government of Serbia. "We are also negotiating about establishing a special communication line for citizens of the member countries of the Open Balkans," he added and emphasized that the economic integration of the region was one of Serbia’s priorities and that it was very important for companies, since wider economic integration could happen only after the neighbors were mutually integrated.

CEFTA agrees on new rules to facilitate trade

Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) experts announced yesterday that they had agreed on a new set of rules that would promote professional mobility and facilitate trade, including a decision to establish a general system for the recognition of professional qualifications and a decision on trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights.

The announcement states that CEFTA has agreed on a common framework for the recognition of professional qualifications in accordance with EU norms. “Persons who have obtained qualifications in CEFTA markets and obtained a license to practice their profession but wish to provide services in other markets will benefit from these rules. Also, professionals who have obtained degrees elsewhere but are recognized in one CEFTA market and have at least three years of professional experience, will also be able to apply for recognition according to these rules,” the announcement reads.

The application of these common rules will start with engineers, and will gradually start including other professions. The second decision agreed upon at the expert level - the Decision on trade aspects of intellectual property rights, is intended to overcome the obstacles faced by companies operating in the CEFTA markets, such as expensive and lengthy procedures for registering intellectual property rights, different treatments in the member states, and insufficient legal protection. “This Decision will promote product and service innovation and strengthen consumer protection against counterfeit and pirated products,” the announcement reads. The CEFTA parties are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North-Macedonia, Serbia and UNMIK on behalf of Kosovo.