Vranje played host to the enchanting 5th International Balkan Eco Fair, a vibrant celebration of nature’s bounty. This year’s fair showcased an array of medicinal, spice, and ornamental plants, alongside bee products and mushrooms. The event attracted participants from across the Balkans, including Greece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Republika Srpska, and Serbia. Adding to the fair’s significance, Dunav Insurance joined the festivities, marking a notable presence in the Pčinja region.
“In recent years, we have seen a concerning rise in weather disasters causing significant losses to agricultural crops,” stated Boban Kostić, Director of the Dunav Insurance Main Branch Office in Vranje. Properties of some producers across the country have been particularly affected by storms, hail, floods, and spring frosts, threatening their operations and long-term viability. Insurance offers the simplest solution to mitigate these unpredictable and ever-present threats. Kostić reminded exhibitors at the fair and all agricultural producers of the significant insurance premium subsidy of up to 40% provided by the Serbian government’s Ministry of Agriculture.
The importance of agricultural production insurance is evidenced by Olivera Arsić, one of the exhibitors at the fair, who has successfully run a farm in the village of Šoprance near Vranje for seven years. She is involved in the production of raspberries and flowers and claims that insurance is crucial in this business.
“For years, we have insured our raspberry plantations and other agricultural production with Dunav Insurance. Their prompt and efficient compensation for damages caused by weather was the key factor in our decision. This ensures our farm’s stability and production continuity even in challenging times. That is why we prioritize insurance; it is not just a cost, but a valuable investment.”
Encompassing plant and livestock production alongside rural tourism, this region prioritizes extensive support for its agricultural producers.
“Building on the government’s long-standing subsidy for agricultural production insurance, the Town of Vranje will also participate in subsidizing these costs. This initiative aims to help farmers mitigate risks in the production process and achieve stronger financial results through their finished and semi-finished goods,” said Nebojša Stamenković, a council member in the local government of the Town of Vranje.
The Balkan Eco Fair was not just about sales and exhibits on the promenade of Vranje town. It also provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange across diverse fields, from beekeeping, medicinal and magical plants of the Old Slavs, Chinese and Tibetan herbal medicine, phytopharmacy, ecology, and many others, as well as a venue for educational and professional gatherings.
