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Rural poverty approaches, policies & strategies in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In June 2001 the Bosnian parliament approved the first countrywide economic strategy. Preparation of Bosnia's poverty reduction strategy paper began in 2002 and the final paper was adopted in February 2004. In it the government stated its intention to reduce poverty levels by 20 per cent by 2007 and to work towards accelerating integration into the European Union with a view eventually to joining the Union.

The strategy paper maintains that the best way to reduce poverty and dependence on international aid is to create the conditions for sustainable and balanced economic development. Bosnia is committed to fostering economic growth in all sectors in order to help create more job opportunities in urban and rural areas. The authorities have also launched significant reforms in the education and health sectors.

The poverty reduction strategy paper identifies specific goals for the agricultural sector and the development of rural areas, while emphasizing the importance of balanced and environmentally sustainable development across regions. The commercialization of production will help stimulate rural growth, which in turn will help raise farm incomes and create job opportunities in the farm sector. A number of policy measures have been adopted to boost dairy and meat production, which are considered to be central to the country's overall agricultural development strategy.

Source: IFAD

Bosnia and Herzegovina Medium Term Development Strategy (PRSP) 2004-2007