Farmers Protest in Montenegro Demanding Increased Agricultural Budget

Farmers in Montenegro took to the streets today, blocking Stanko Dragojevića Street with a convoy of tractors and smaller vehicles to demand an increase in the agricultural budget. The protest, organized by the Agricultural Cluster of Montenegro, highlighted the urgent challenges facing the country’s agricultural sector.

Bosko Milicić, president of the Agricultural Cluster, addressed the gathered crowd, stating that the current situation in Montenegrin agriculture has become unsustainable. He noted, “The position of farmers is worse than it has been in decades.” Milicić pointed out alarming trends, including a continuous decline in livestock numbers, the disappearance of small farms, and an aging farming population, with the average age of farmers nearing 60 years. He emphasized that young people are leaving rural areas, contributing to a decline in local food production, which is falling year after year as imports rise.

Milicić criticized the government’s agricultural policies, asserting that the current budget allocation for agriculture is inadequate. The state budget for Montenegro in 2025 is projected at around €4 billion, with only €77 million earmarked for agriculture. He further highlighted that €11 million of that amount comes from European Union donations, leaving just €66 million from domestic sources available for agricultural support.

He explained that much of the agricultural budget is diverted towards pensions, administrative expenses, and various departmental operations. Once these costs are accounted for, only about €30 million remains for direct support for food production across all sectors. This funding represents less than 0.8 percent of the total state budget, despite agriculture contributing approximately 5.5 percent to Montenegro’s gross domestic product.

In his remarks, Milicić pointed to the escalating food import levels as evidence of the government’s failure to support local agriculture. In 2024, Montenegro imported food and beverages worth €976 million, with over €772 million specifically for food. He noted that imports have consistently increased over the past three decades, with no year reflecting a decrease compared to the previous one. This trend indicates that domestic production is weakening while imports continue to dominate the market.

Milicić stated that Montenegrin farmers operate under some of the most challenging conditions in the region. He mentioned that fuel costs are among the highest, and agricultural machinery is typically 30 percent more expensive than in neighboring countries. Additionally, subsidies and premiums for livestock products are significantly lower than those in nations that prioritize their agricultural sectors, such as Serbia, making it difficult for local producers to compete.

He outlined the farmers’ demands, which include an increase in the agricultural budget to at least 5 percent of the total state budget. Milicić argued that without a robust financial framework, meaningful agricultural development is unattainable. He called for the protection of domestic production, equitable market conditions, and effective import controls, alongside a commitment from institutions to act professionally and responsively.

“The current state of agriculture did not arise overnight, nor without accountability,” Milicić declared. He insisted on the need for responsibility from those who have managed the agricultural system over the years, starting with the Minister of Agriculture. He warned that if there is no willingness or capability to effect change, resignation from positions of authority may be the only responsible course of action.

Additionally, he stressed that the protest serves as both a warning and an invitation for serious dialogue. If the issues and demands continue to be ignored, farmers will be compelled to escalate their actions. “The fight for agriculture is not just a battle for one group; it is a fight for domestic food, sustainable villages, and the economic security of Montenegro,” he concluded.

Supporting the farmers was Andrija Delić, the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management. He expressed his readiness to take responsibility for joining the farmers at the protest, stating that he is also a farmer himself. Delić emphasized the clear choice between his official role and his commitment to agriculture, reinforcing his solidarity with the farmers’ cause.

The protest was organized in collaboration with the Union of Livestock Farmers of Northern Montenegro and the Danilovgrad Farmers Association, and it was scheduled to continue until 14:00.