The strategic framework for sustainable development of agro-food industry the case study of Vojvodina

Abstract

The work analyses the strategic framework (in the sense of the dynamic mix composed from appropriate institutional arrangements, macroeconomic and business environment) with a view of establishing the regime of sustainable development on agro-food industry in Vojvodina (as the NUTS 2 region in Serbia with big natural and work-created resources and a specific food production structure). The goal of the analysis is an attempt to find acceptable solutions for formulating the new model of development on agro-food industry in Vojvodina and its harmonization with strategic framework originating from the theory and practice of the European concept of endogenous, self-propulsion and self-sustainable regional development. The method of researching is based on the analysis of factors blocking or slowing down the activity of stimulating institutional and market impulses that come from the European environment on the construction of a new social and economic structure of agro-food industry in Vojvodina oriented towards food export at great prices (precisely, with great new added value per physical unit of production!). As the biggest problems, the underdevelopment of authentic (regional) production entrepreneurship and low effectiveness of the innovation system are identified. Their substance is that restoration of capitalism and transition in Serbia and Vojvodina have failed to create a good strategic framework for development of export business and private investments in the real economy. However, such a development is not determined crucially as unfeasible. To do that, it is necessary to identify all the main problems and shortages and eliminate them by a well-thought plan. In this context, the work proposes the formulation of a new model of sustainable development on agro-food industry in Vojvodina composed from the dynamic combination of market, administrative and agreement mechanisms and the ways of their implementation.