Stari model se izteka, smo na pomembnem razpotju

Slovenian agriculture stands at a critical crossroads, according to agrarian economist Emil Erjavec, who warns that the traditional model of farming is becoming obsolete. The question that arises is who will even take over farms in the future. Erjavec highlights how new types of farms, changing market conditions, digitalization, climate pressures, and above all, the issue of succession are reshaping the landscape of Slovenian agriculture. The old model of farming, which began in Western Europe in the 1950s and in Slovenia in the 1970s, is effectively coming to an end, Erjavec says. He identifies three main types of farms succeeding today. The first are larger, technologically advanced farms focused on global price competition. The second are smaller but innovative farms connected with organic production, processing, gastronomy, tourism, and local stories. The third type consists of farms as a lifestyle choice, where farming is not necessarily the primary economic activity but part of a broader life philosophy. The biggest challenge lies with traditional family farms, many of which are stagnating. Even those currently successful face the issue of succession. "You have a totally successful farm, economically and environmentally sound, but no successors," Erjavec warned. The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is drawing significant attention among agrarian economists. According to Erjavec, after 2028, there will be a major shift, as more responsibility for agricultural development will move to member states. Slovenia will need to clearly define what kind of agriculture it wants to support, who should receive funding, and how to connect food security, rural development, and environmental goals. In his view, the current CAP strategy is primarily a plan for distributing money rather than a true development strategy. The key question for the future is not just how much money will be available, but who and why it will be allocated. "Agricultural policy must support what we want, or support structural processes so that agricultural enterprises and entire supply chains can find their place," he said. Erjavec points out that Slovenian agriculture is too dependent on subsidies. Approximately half of the income in agriculture comes from public support, which is unsustainable in the long term. The state, he argues, cannot solve all social, cultural, and economic problems simultaneously. It should instead support those farms with clear development stories, either large, technologically advanced, and competitive farms or small, innovative ones linked to local added value. One central topic of discussion was generational renewal. Erjavec notes that young farmers are not taking over farms solely due to economic reasons, but also because their relationship to work, life, and responsibility has changed. Younger generations often do not wish to continue farming in the same way as their parents. Meanwhile, older generations struggle to relinquish control, as farming is also their home, livelihood, and social security. As he emphasized, the issue of succession is often psychological and social, not just financial. The future of Slovenian agriculture, according to Erjavec, depends on better integration of the entire agro-food chain, from farmers to cooperatives, food industry, trade, and consumers. Farmers alone cannot create greater added value if the system as a whole continues to compete mainly with cheap imported food. He emphasizes the importance of traceability, local food, digitization, and consumer trust in domestic production. The future of Slovenian agriculture is not necessarily bleak, but it will require more dialogue, clear priorities, and cooperation between politics, experts, farmers, and environmental organizations. The question is not whether agriculture will persist, but how it will adapt to these changes. A new conflict appears on the horizon between the tourism sector and agriculture. After the previous government opened a front with property owners regarding regulations on short-term rentals, which the hospitality industry, especially hotels, did not oppose, the new government plans to introduce a specific contribution of one euro per night, known as the tourist euro. The coalition agreement anticipates this would provide additional financial assistance to areas with limited opportunities for agricultural activities (OMD). Guests, both domestic and foreign, would pay an extra euro per night in addition to existing tourist taxes, which vary between one and three euros per night depending on the municipality. "If it's written in the coalition agreement, it will be implemented in the next four years, since what is inside is our commitment, not just a desire," said Agriculture Minister Janez Cigler Kralj. He acknowledged that tourism is a powerful economic sector of great significance to rural Slovenia. However, he noted that tourism, while burdening infrastructure and resources in rural areas, also contributes to their development. Small providers strongly opposed the unilateral initiative. The Association of Slovenian Property Owners and the Guest Love Foundation for Slovenian Homes expressed surprise that discussions were already underway at the Ministry of Agriculture with agricultural organizations without prior consultation with them, the very entities expected to finance this initiative, having learned about it through media reports. "We reject the role of a default cow for every financial appetite and remind them of the coalition commitments to tax neutrality, which stipulate that businesses should not be burdened with new obligations without abolishing existing ones," they stated, urging that existing funds be used more wisely and fairly to support projects connecting small tourism and mountain farming. Small providers, who created a quarter of all tourist stays last year and contributed nearly 22 million euros in tourist taxes, argue that their activities already contribute to rural development. Local communities can already promote, develop, and maintain tourism products, infrastructure, and areas in general under existing legislation governing the use of tourist taxes. Even within the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Slovenia, concerns were raised about significantly increased operating costs in the sector, which in most cases exceed revenue growth and thus reduce profits and investment possibilities. Without adequate investments, maintaining competitiveness on the demanding global tourism market becomes impossible. "Every additional cost represents a deepening of the problem and is unacceptable for tourism companies," said Fedja Pobegajlo, director of the association, who had not been included in the discussions yet but had informed the relevant ministry of her stance. The association believes that local communities can already promote, develop, and maintain tourism products, infrastructure, and areas in general under existing legislation governing the use of tourist taxes. Irena Orešnik, president of the Association of Mountain and Alpine Farmers of Slovenia, stressed that more funds are needed to keep mountain farms viable. Given the structure, they are not competitive, and younger generations will not stay unless there is an economy. The only thing that could supplement the economy is subsidies, she said. Similarly, Dr. Maja Uran Maravić from the Faculty of Tourism Studies at the University of Primorska assessed that each new contribution could negatively impact competitiveness. "Tourist taxes in Slovenia are relatively high, and any additional cost could mean losing customers or reducing space for necessary investments in the sector," she said, skeptical about further burdens or the idea that tourism would be the solution.