Resolution on the National Programme on Strategic Orientations for the Development of Slovenian Agriculture and Food Industry “Our Food, Rural and Natural Resources 2021”

This Resolution officially adopts the contents of the National Programme on Strategic Orientations for the Development of Slovenian Agriculture and Food Industry, as indicated in the main planning document “Our Food, Rural and Natural Resources 2021” (the complete text of the Programme is part of this publication). General objectives enforced in this text are in full accordance with the basic national programming documents, among European Union general standards and their targeted requirements.
In view of the diverse circumstances of the Slovenian rural area and agriculture, it is necessary to adopt such an approach to shaping the future Slovenian agricultural policy, which will upgrade the already established instruments with a guideline for the sustainability, efficiency and measurability of achieving the set goals. Recognizing the already existing advantages, including concepts and practices such as sustainable agriculture, diversification of agricultural holdings, production, production and agricultural products, tradition and attachment to land, sustainable use of forests, cultivation of the agricultural cultural landscape and the countryside throughout Slovenia and new opportunities for multi-functional agriculture, is crucial. This is an approach in which the fundamental "right to farming" is exercised. Given its natural and structural features, Slovenian agriculture can only be competitive and resilient with a strong focus on greater added value, which is environmentally sustainable and supports consumer needs. Therefore, we need knowledge, appropriate production technologies and a modern and competitive food processing industry based on entrepreneurial approaches and market orientation. The farm should be integrated into local or larger value chains in the long run, while being actively involved in the knowledge sharing process. Special emphasis is placed on the protection of the environment and nature and on the conservation of agricultural land and its fertility, which should become an advantage and not impede management. Environmental protection is part of the approach to adding value to products and encouraging the diversification of rural activities. Knowledge, creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and networking must become the driving force for the advancement of Slovenian food production and processing and the rural area. Identifying and bridging the gap in enhancing the importance of knowledge and putting it into practice and in linking all stakeholders in the food supply chain are needed. The breadth of issues directly or indirectly affecting Slovenian production and processing of food and rural areas requires the search for synergies and an integrated approach in the fields of financial, environmental, spatial, regional development, economic, infrastructural, social, health, scientific-educational and other policies.
Based on the above set of needs and in accordance with the set social requirements for agriculture, here are identified the following specific objectives: Ensuring high standards of safe and quality food; Effective use and accessibility of fixed assets (agricultural land, capital, labor, knowledge); Comparable income position; Income stability; Strengthening agri-food chains and improving the farmer's position in the chain; Promoting the production and consumption of higher value added food; Strengthening market orientation and entrepreneurship; Promoting generational renewal; Maintaining the production potential and volume of agricultural land; Reduction of negative impacts on water, soil and air; Climate change mitigation and adaptation; Conservation of biodiversity; Conservation of the agricultural cultural landscape; Ensuring higher animal welfare standards; Encouragement of supplementary activities on farms; Strengthening local initiatives and inter-branch cooperation and strengthening the linkage of tourism to quality food from the local environment; Development of the bio-economy; Social inclusion, women in rural areas and care for vulnerable groups; Bridging the gaps in accessibility and quality of service in urban and rural settings; Strengthening research support for agriculture and rural development; Effective knowledge transfer to effective final beneficiaries.
In order to achieve the objectives of this text, a number of specific objectives need to be addressed, with the focus being on achieving an adequate and stable income level for agricultural producers, increasing the resilience of farms and increasing the competitiveness of the food processing industry. The following specific goals, have been grouped into four groups: Resilient and competitive food production and processing; Sustainable management of natural resources and provision of public goods; Raising the quality of life and enhancing rural economic activity. In addition to these a Horizontal Objective is here identified as strengthen the design and knowledge transfer.