Serbian Crop Institute Faces Collapse, Union Appeals to President

The Institute for Crop and Vegetable Production in Novi Sad is facing a dire financial situation, prompting its union representatives to submit an open letter to the president. Employees highlight critical shortages of funds needed for producing new seeds, alongside delayed salary payments, which collectively endanger the institution's very existence.

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the president is the last in a series of addresses we are making.

Dragan Pantović, president of the institute's union, described the president as "the last in a series of addresses we are making." He explained that the struggle for the institute's survival began five years ago, recognizing a detrimental trajectory. Pantović emphasized that the institute's survival extends beyond the jobs of its employees, asserting that it forms "the foundation of Serbia's food sovereignty."

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The survival of the Institute is much more significant than the jobs of us employees.

Pantović further noted the institute's recognition in Serbia's agricultural development strategy. However, he detailed the current severe material hardship, including insufficient funds for salaries and production. He revealed that just ten days prior, the director informed them of plans to cease seed production. Pantović stressed that this crisis was not accidental, pointing to the similar struggles or disappearance of other Serbian institutions involved in seed production. He lamented that while the institute is respected abroad, it faces such a fate within its own country.

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The Institute represents the foundation of the food sovereignty of the country of Serbia.