Strizivojna – First Digital Village in Croatia project launched

ZAGREB, 5 March (Hina) – Strizivojna – the First Digital Village in Croatia project was launched in Strizivojna, eastern Croatia on Monday as an opportunity for farmers, notably young farmers, to adopt skills for the digitisation and modernisation of production.

The project’s goal is to facilitate production and make it sustainable, increase earnings and make life in villages more attractive, notably for young people. The project lasts one year and is free for farmers.

The project coordinator is the Poslovni Dnevnik magazine and it is being implemented with the support of the Agriculture Ministry. Minister Marija Vučković said Strizivojna was chosen because it showed initiative for enhancing its agriculture and rural areas.

There are 130 registered farmers in Strizivojna municipality, including 23 young ones, she said, adding that young farmers account for 19.7% of all farmers in Osijek-Baranja County, while the national average of young farmers is 14.4%.

The livestock population in Strizivojna municipality is also increasing, its farmland extends on 1,500 hectares, including 1,350 that are privately owned, and over 1,000 hectares are planted with crops, the minister said. 

Acting county head Mato Lukić said the project carried many benefits and that the EU agricultural policy focused on young farmers, with many using modern technology.

Municipal head Josip Jakobović said the project was also a way to keep young people in rural areas.