Establishment of Extension Services for Livestock Production in Bosnia and Herzegovina

S. Muratovic H. Bogucanin and V. Selak – University of Sarajevo

Introduction

Bosnia and Herzegovina is situated in South - Eastern Europe. It is almost land-locked and has a continental climate except for the immediate hinterland of the Dalmatian coast, which has a Mediterranean climate.
Bosnia and Herzegovina occupies about 5.1 million hectares of land, half of which is agricultural and further 45 % is covered with forests. Within agricultural land area, about of 40 % are arable, 55 % meadows and pastures and 5 % orchards and vineyards.
Therefore, the livestock production plays a dominant role in our agriculture production since the share of the livestock in total agricultural production is 65 %.

Livestock reconstruction project in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Conditions for economic reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and, thus, for livestock reconstruction as well, are created through gradual implementation and establishment of the Dayton Accords.
Cattle import took place during the two years (1996-1997) of "Livestock Reconstruction Support in Bosnia and Herzegovina" project.

Table 1: Imported pregnant heifers through the World Bank Program and GTZ.
 

Breeds
Heifers
%
Bulls
Simmental

Brown-Swiss

Grauvieh

Holstein-Friesian
4 402

647

354

244
77.95

11.46

6.27

4.32
17

-

-

-

Besides cows, 2 000 heads of sheep (tufted breed -"pramenka"), 610 heifers and 23 goats (Alpine breed) were also imported, as well as 679 she - goats and 39 Saanen goats.
 

Proposal of extension service in B & H

Further implementation of the livestock reconstruction program should include establishment of extension services and reconstruction of scientific research.
Bosnia and Herzegovina needs assistance and support of the international community to realize the program of extension service establishment for livestock production.
The suggestion for extension service organization in Bosnia and Herzegovina is shown in the Chart 1.

Chart 1: Organization of extension service in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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