Bosnia and Herzegovina is relatively poor in agricultural resources with large mountainous areas and only 20% of land suitable for intensive farming. Yet, agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the economy and a major contributor to food security. It generates around 6 percent of the GDP and employs about 19 percent of the labour force. More than half of the population lives in rural areas where off-farm employment opportunities are scarce.

The sector is characterised by subsistence and semi-subsistence farming, dominated by small-sized family farms with low productivity and competitiveness, exacerbated by slow progress in fulfilment of minimum product quality and marketing standards, as well as challenges facing the ecosystem and vulnerability to climate change.

Addressing the major impediments to the agricultural sector competitiveness, along with the need for capacity building of the key sectoral stakeholders at national and local levels, are a prerequisite for future sector development.

EPIC research activities:

1. Capacity development for government officials and other stakeholders

2.  Agricultural policy monitoring and evaluation support

3. Policy dialogue across governmental representatives