Cigler King in Pomur on the opportunities and challenges of the region

Minister for Agriculture Janez Cigler Kralj visited the region of Pomurje today, engaging with representatives from agricultural organizations and local businesses to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the area. The meeting focused on issues such as the competitiveness of agricultural production, protection against drought and price fluctuations, and market conditions for grain. During the visit, discussions covered the role of cooperatives in connecting producers, organizing purchases, and establishing efficient local food supply chains, including irrigation systems on the Apaš field. Representatives highlighted the difficulties faced by wheat producers due to low purchase prices and high production costs, which have led to increasingly challenging economic conditions over several years. Cigler Kralj emphasized the need for a simple, organized, and stable system that supports farmers who produce food. He stated that the goal is to provide them with support in their work, ensuring they face fewer bureaucratic, procedural, and financial obstacles. The minister’s comments were relayed by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, underscoring the importance of creating a supportive environment for agricultural producers. The discussion also touched upon the situation in viticulture, particularly the spread of the yellow rot disease. Officials from the Slovenian Agency for Food Safety, Veterinary Medicine, and Plant Protection presented activities aimed at controlling the disease and measures for eradicating the American grapevine moth, its primary vector. With stakeholders, they addressed the issue of protecting agricultural production from weather-related disruptions. They outlined measures involving aerial defense against pests, funded by the state and municipalities in northeastern Slovenia. The conversation also included potential steps toward greater inclusion of locally produced food in public catering and continued development of logistics and distribution capabilities that would enable more effective supply to public institutions and other large buyers. During a meeting with representatives of the Slovenian Association of Pig Farmers, the focus was on difficult conditions within the pig farming sector and possible measures, including the classification of pork meat into selected quality categories, stricter control over the origin of pork meat, and easier access to agricultural land. Cigler Kralj stressed the necessity of supporting Slovenian farmers who produce food and manage livestock, ensuring they feel long-term prospects. He noted that maintaining these farmers within the industry and attracting young people requires increasing self-sufficiency in pig farming and enabling economically sustainable grain production. This, he added, cannot be achieved solely through annual relief from the effects of crises and weather-related problems, but rather through a strategic approach that ensures long-term sustainability. At a visit to the company Mlinopek, Cigler Kralj highlighted the crucial role of purchasers who collaborate directly with Slovenian farmers. He further learned about investments in the application of geothermal energy by the company Ocean Orchids and its significance for regional agricultural development. Cigler Kralj reiterated that self-sufficiency is a matter of national security. In the coalition agreement, it was written that self-sufficiency is a question of national security. It is not merely about producing food or processing surfaces. During times of crisis, war, border closures, and disrupted supply chains, it becomes evident how important it is to have domestic producers, purchasers, and processors. This statement underscores the broader implications of agricultural policy beyond immediate economic concerns, highlighting its critical role in national resilience and stability.