Vlade Zaric

DEFICIT IRRIGATION TECHNIQUE FOR REDUCING WATER USE OF TOMATO UNDER POLYTUNNEL CONDITIONS

The aim of paper was to asses the use of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) for production of two tomato cultivars (Cedrico and Abellus) in polytunnels in Serbia. RDI plants received 60% of the water that was applied to FI plants and significant saving of water for irrigation and increased in irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) were achieved. Yield data for Cedrico cultivar showed no differences between RDI and FI, while due to the bigger sensitivity to drought, yield of Abellus was reduced under RDI. In general, fruit quality (soluble solids, titrable acidity) was sustained or improved in both cultivars under RDI. Economic analyses showed that due to the current low prices of water and electricity in Serbia, the profit increase of Cedrico, similarly to the previously trialed cultivar Amati, was not high under RDI comparing to FI. Reduction of yield and consequent profit for Abellus, indicated that for future commercial growing of tomato under RDI should be used drought resistant cultivars.

Consumer attitudes to the animal food quality products in Serbia

The objective of this study was to determine consumer attitudes to animal food quality products in Serbia. The study was carried out in two steps. First, qualitative research was carried out by interviewing experts, which provided information on the main strengths and weaknesses of Serbian food products. Second, standardized face-to-face interviews with consumers were conducted. The attitudes were summarized using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. The quality products of animal origin in this study included the local, traditional and organic products. The results showed that consumers tend to prefer quality over price. It is important to underline that in Serbia there is limited research in this field and consumers tend to provide socially desirable responses. Consumers in Serbia allocate about 40% of total income to food. Serbian consumers tend to enjoy food shopping more than other consumers in the Region and they have the least pronounced ethnocentrism.

European rule adoption in Central and Eastern Europe: a comparative analysis of agricultural water management in Serbia

Regulation of Serbian agricultures water use is analysed as a basis for wider debate on European rule adoption. Three models that seek to explain patterns of non-compliance are assessed: external incentives; policy learning/lesson drawing; and Mediterranean syndrome. Although such models tend to be presented as competing frameworks, evidence suggests that this is inappropriate. Survey and interview data reveal a substantial implementation deficit for environmental regulation in Serbia, and this has several characteristics in common with the Mediterranean syndrome. In this case, problems of compliance with European rules cannot be divorced from domestic regulatory failure.