The Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije is implementing the project “Support to Agricultural Practices Aimed at the Preservation and Protection of Biodiversity,” which lasts until October 14th, 2025.
The project is being implemented thanks to funds obtained through the public call announced by the Eco Fund in December 2024. The public call included three support measures: preservation of endangered breeds and varieties of domestic animals and plants, preservation of biodiversity and the environment on permanent grasslands and arable land, and preservation of landscape features (stone terraces – dry stone walls and hedges).
Through the public call, the Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije applied for a total of 53 beneficiaries from the entire territory of Montenegro, of which 52 are breeding autochthonous breeds of domestic animals, while one beneficiary participates in measures related to the preservation of autochthonous plant varieties, establishment of field strips and grass strips.
When it comes to animals, the breeds recognized within the public call are included: among autochthonous sheep, these are žuja (Zeta and Piperi), Piva pramenka, sora and ljaba, while among cattle, the autochthonous breed buša is included.
The beneficiaries, in addition to the basic condition of possessing autochthonous breeds, also had to meet additional requirements, for which the Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije as the applicant prepared and submitted complete documentation.
Since May 2025, representatives of RDA BKP together with representatives of the Eco Fund and professors engaged in determining the zero state, visited all beneficiaries and recorded the exact number of animals of each breed. After that, representatives of RDA BKP continued field visits to the beneficiaries, most of whom were located on summer pastures (katuns), where cooperation agreements were signed and trainings on biodiversity were held.
By implementing this project, farmers have been provided with significant encouragement to continue preserving autochthonous species characteristic of our area, thereby directly contributing to the preservation of Montenegro’s natural heritage. Subsidies represent an important motivational factor, as they point out to the beneficiaries who already have autochthonous species their significance and encourage them to make additional efforts in their preservation.
