A dissemination seminar was held yesterday at the Science and Technology Park in Podgorica as part of the SAGRI project – “Occupational Safety and Health in Agriculture”, implemented through the Interreg IPA CBC South Adriatic programme. The seminar brought together representatives of key institutions, agricultural enterprises, and occupational health and safety experts, with the aim of presenting the project results and recommendations for improving occupational safety and health in Montenegro’s agricultural sector.
In her opening remarks, Zorka Vojinović from the NGO ICT Cortex, the event organizer, highlighted the importance of institutionalizing the OSH (Occupational Safety and Health) guidelines developed through several months of research, testing in ten local agricultural enterprises, and consultations with the relevant institutions.
During the seminar, Đina Janković, an occupational safety and health expert, presented the document titled “Situation Analysis and Guidelines for Risk Prevention in Agriculture in Montenegro.” The document identifies key challenges in the field of occupational safety, such as insufficient institutional support, outdated regulations, and low awareness among employers and employees about the importance of preventive measures.
Dr. Miljan Joksimović from the Biotechnical Faculty addressed the economic aspect of OSH measures, emphasizing that investing in employee safety contributes to the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of agricultural enterprises.
The panel discussion drew particular interest from participants, featuring speakers from the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Dialogue, the Occupational Health and Safety Inspectorate, the Food Safety Authority, as well as the private sector. The panelists highlighted the need to strengthen inspection capacities, improve injury reporting, and integrate OSH guidelines into agricultural support programs.
At the end of the seminar, recommendations for further institutional development were presented, and all relevant stakeholders were invited to support the broader implementation of the proposed guidelines in the agricultural sector.
The SAGRI project is being implemented in partnership with organizations from Montenegro, Italy, and Albania, with activities funded through the Interreg IPA CBC South Adriatic programme.
