Drought Hell in Serbia: East and South on the Brink of Collapse!
Imagine this: summer 2023, and Serbia is burning from a drought that won’t stop until the end of September! Yes, you read that right. Professor Marija Ćosić from the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Agriculture leaves no room for optimism. This year’s drought isn’t just a natural disaster; it’s a full-blown catastrophe that will destroy agriculture, especially in eastern and southern Serbia.
Who’s Most at Risk?
While Vojvodina still manages to hold water in its deep soils, eastern and southern Serbia are on their knees. Shallow soils can’t retain moisture, and plants are drying out like they’re in the Sahara. Farmers are already predicting crop losses of up to 50%! Corn and fruit, which are strategic crops, will become rare, and prices will skyrocket. Remember how expensive cherries were? Expect the same or worse!
What Is the Government Doing?
Well, it seems the government is a bit late to the party. Ćosić stresses the urgent need for climate adaptation through state strategic projects. Irrigation? Yes, but only where possible, because the Danube canal network, which can irrigate half a million hectares, is currently used on just 85,000 hectares. The canals are clogged, erosion and flash floods are destroying fertile land, and canal reconstruction is necessary—but who will pay for it?
Emergency Measures and Reality
Emergency irrigation is the only chance for plants to survive critical flowering and fruiting phases. But will farmers have enough resources and support? Droughts will become more frequent and severe, and May and June, once rainy months, are now as dry as a desert. Climate change is no longer a distant future—it’s the harsh present pressing down on us.
Conclusion
Serbia faces a serious agricultural crisis. Without urgent action, the consequences will be catastrophic for the economy and everyone’s lives. Will the government finally grasp the seriousness of the situation, or will we watch our land perish before our eyes?
What about you? How do you think this will affect your plates and wallets? Drop a comment—let’s see who else thinks this is a real drama or just another hot story to forget!
