Consultancy Services in Croatian Agriculture
T. ŽIMBREK
Pages: 267-274
Summary
The paper presents historical review of development, critical itrospection into the present status, and a vision of future new organization of the agricultural extension service in Croatia.
Previous organization and activity of the agricultural (extension) service has rather been the result of the dogmatic approach of the state towards the village and agriculture than of farmers' need for expert advice and information.
In contemplating the new organization of the Agricultural Consultancy (Extension) Service, the realistic evaluation of the current status and future avenues and speed in which the changes shall be introduced into the agriculture are reqiured. Based on this, and using the experience and functioning of the extension services in developed countries in Europe and World, the basic postulations for organization and work of the Agricultural Consultancy Service of Croatia are set.
The Republic of Croatia had no systematically organized Consultancy (Extension) Service in former Yugoslavia.
Since it gained its independence, and set the new political and social/economic system in 1991, the Agricultural Consultancy Service is founded and the reorganization is on course.
Regarding anticipations changes in agricultural structure in the future, proposed are the measures for modernization of the Agricultural Consultancy Service, as well as adaptation of the school system to that purpose.
Small family farms are predominant in Croatian agriculture. Farms are still predominantly using traditional production methods. Shift to market economy and the new measures of agricultural policy shall cause certain polarization of family farms, and induce forming of larger market-oriented and specialized producers. In the process of concentration of agricultural production role of Agricultural Consultancy Service is important with regard to better functioning and development.
The Agricultural Consultancy Service requirements are increased knowledge and manpower costs, while the increased management complexity, specialization and concentration are characteristic for the output.
Meetings, lectures, practical demonstration of technology, mass media and introduction of computer technology are important aids which should be further developed as well as bigger financial aid for these purposes. Those depend on better future economic position of the agriculture and the economy in a whole.
Previous organization and activity of the agricultural (extension) service has rather been the result of the dogmatic approach of the state towards the village and agriculture than of farmers' need for expert advice and information.
In contemplating the new organization of the Agricultural Consultancy (Extension) Service, the realistic evaluation of the current status and future avenues and speed in which the changes shall be introduced into the agriculture are reqiured. Based on this, and using the experience and functioning of the extension services in developed countries in Europe and World, the basic postulations for organization and work of the Agricultural Consultancy Service of Croatia are set.
The Republic of Croatia had no systematically organized Consultancy (Extension) Service in former Yugoslavia.
Since it gained its independence, and set the new political and social/economic system in 1991, the Agricultural Consultancy Service is founded and the reorganization is on course.
Regarding anticipations changes in agricultural structure in the future, proposed are the measures for modernization of the Agricultural Consultancy Service, as well as adaptation of the school system to that purpose.
Small family farms are predominant in Croatian agriculture. Farms are still predominantly using traditional production methods. Shift to market economy and the new measures of agricultural policy shall cause certain polarization of family farms, and induce forming of larger market-oriented and specialized producers. In the process of concentration of agricultural production role of Agricultural Consultancy Service is important with regard to better functioning and development.
The Agricultural Consultancy Service requirements are increased knowledge and manpower costs, while the increased management complexity, specialization and concentration are characteristic for the output.
Meetings, lectures, practical demonstration of technology, mass media and introduction of computer technology are important aids which should be further developed as well as bigger financial aid for these purposes. Those depend on better future economic position of the agriculture and the economy in a whole.
Keywords
Agricultural consultancy service; Croatia; family farm
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