COOPERATION BETWEEN AGRICULTURAL ЕXTENSION SERVICE AND COOPERATIVES - STATE AND POSSIBILITIES

Marija; Dejana Vučković; Nikola Mihailović

Marija Univerzitet u Beogradu, Poljoprivredni fakultet, Odsek za agroekonomiju https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8691-7113
Dejana Vučković Univerzitet u Beogradu Poljoprivredni fakultet
Nikola Mihailović Zadružni savez Srbije

Keywords: agricultural extension service, agricultural cooperatives, attitudes of farmers, cooperation

Abstract

One of the key links in the system of knowledge and information transfer in agriculture in Serbia is extension service, which acts as mediator between scientific institutions and different groups of users. This paper aims to examine the quality of cooperation between agricultural extension service and agricultural cooperatives in Serbia, and to evaluate the views of farmers (cooperative members) on the success of this cooperation. A survey with 220 respondents, members of agricultural cooperatives, was conducted for the purpose of this research. The analysis showed that over 80% of cooperative members have cooperation with extension service, and that they are more satisfied with the quantity of extension services, than the quality. More than half of the respondents believe that it is necessary to adapt provided advices to the needs of cooperatives, and to pay more attention to cooperatives in the media appearances of extension officers. This research provides an important insight into the form and specifics of cooperation between agricultural extension service and agricultural cooperatives, on the basis of which measures can be proposed for their continuous improvement.

Author Biographies

Marija, Univerzitet u Beogradu, Poljoprivredni fakultet, Odsek za agroekonomiju

Odsek za agroekonomiju, docent

Dejana Vučković, Univerzitet u Beogradu Poljoprivredni fakultet

Dejana Vučković is a Teaching Assistant at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade. She gained her bachelor and master at the same faculty, and currently is on doctoral studies also on the Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade. Focus of her research work is in the field of agricultural economics, finance, and agribusiness management.

Nikola Mihailović, Zadružni savez Srbije

Nikola Mihailović graduated on the Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade. He gained his entire work experience in the Cooperative Union of Serbia, where since 2009 he holds the position of president. He published over 20 texts in the field of cooperatives and agrarian policy, participated in the creation of cooperative law, and was engaged in the implementation of projects for the revival of villages and the cooperatives business.

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