Great Importance of the Experimental Educational Centre of the Faculty of Agriculture

Field Day of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Banja Luka, where experimental and commercial trials of small grains (wheat, barley and triticale) were presented, was held on 7 July 2020 at the Experimental Educational Centre in Aleksandrovac near Laktaši. 

The experiments were set up in cooperation with the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops from Novi Sad, varieties of which were sown in experiments this year.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Srpska Prof. Boris Pašalić, PhD, stated today that the goal is, in addition to scientific research, to practically train students for independent production management on the surfaces of the Experimental Educational Centre of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Banja Luka, as well as to show new varieties and technologies to producers. Minister Pašalić pointed out that the existence of the centre is important from the point of view of organising scientific research in order to apply what is learned through research in commercial production.

,,It is good that the private sector and institutes from the region are engaged in this field," Pašalić said during this event.

He added that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management will support such activities and that 100 000 BAM is planned in the budget of this ministry every year to co-finance the basic needs of maintaining the Centre and procuring new machinery.

Minister Pašalić reminded that the day before, the presentation of the main project for the construction of an irrigation system on the surface of the Centre was held, and the implementation of the first phase of its construction valued at around 1 800 000 BAM could begin in early September.

Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Banja Luka, Prof. Zlatan Kovačević, PhD, said that this Experimental Educational Centre is important to both the students and producers. He said that the experimental land of 50 hectares was obtained on concession from the Government of the Republic of Srpska for a period of many years and that, in addition to the experimental, it serves the purpose of commercial production as well.

He also pointed out the significant cooperation with the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops and the Company Golić Trade d.o.o. from Gradiška, and thanked Minister Pašalić for his support.

The Vice-Rector for Teaching and Student Affairs of the University of Banja Luka Prof. Strain Posavljak, PhD, gave a speech. He talked highly about the activities that are being implemented in the Experimental Educational Centre, stating that it is of great importance for the University and the Faculty of Agriculture.

A similar event dedicated to spring sowing crops is expected in the autumn, as experimental corn, soybean and sunflower crops are also on the surface of the Centre.

Field Day was held in compliance with all epidemiological recommendations of the PHI Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Srpska.