Veljko Katanić, a 23-year-old from Stapar, developed a love for agriculture at a young age. He recalls spending time in the fields with his grandfather and father, gradually becoming fond of the work.
"Expanding our operations and upgrading to modern machinery made everything more interesting and different, so I had no difficulty falling in love with this work," Veljko explained.
How Did Their Farming Operations Expand?
The Katanić family farm is located in the fertile plains of Stapar, where the high-quality soil supports robust agricultural activity. Many residents of the area are engaged in farming because of the land's natural productivity.
The Katanićs focus primarily on crop farming. "In recent years, we’ve grown soybeans, sugar beets, wheat, and a small amount of sunflowers," Veljko shared.
Through the EU's Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development (IPARD), the Katanić family received over €44,000 to purchase new equipment.
With this funding, they replaced a significant portion of their existing machinery, which has greatly enhanced their farming operations.
"We saw online that calls for subsidies, reimbursements, and EU grants were open, so we decided to try and apply. It’s not the simplest process—it takes time—but with a little effort, we managed to achieve it," Veljko said.
Advancing with IPARD Support
Veljko highlighted how the IPARD funds have propelled their farm forward:
"We upgraded a large part of our machinery, making the work both easier and faster," he explained.
The Challenges and Rewards of Farming
Veljko appreciates the dynamic nature of farming and the challenges it presents.
"What I love about my work is that it’s never boring or monotonous. There are always new things happening, daily tasks that vary, problems to solve, but also many rewarding aspects. With the expansion of our farm and the addition of new machinery, each day becomes more interesting and different," Veljko concluded.
EU Support for Serbian Farmers
Between 2014 and 2020, the European Union provided Serbian farmers access to €175 million in IPARD funds. These funds have helped many, like Veljko and his family, modernise their farms and improve their livelihoods.