The agriculture as a real assumption of regional and rural development in Serbia

Serbia is a country in transition, the one which, after '90ies of the last century, has passed through number of difficulties, which had manifested in change of social and economic system, change of economic and social structure, and all other consequences followed by those changes. The path toward its membership in the EU is long. Like other socialist countries, after the World War II, it has also used an acceptable concept for that period of economic development's planned direction with focus on the country industrialization, where had been left aside agriculture development, the activity which had before significantly more important role in the country economy. The industrialization processes were followed also by accelerated urbanization. Increasing number of inhabitants is concentrated in the cities, suburbs to which they were spread and in industrial centers. In the rural areas, the number of inhabitants was relatively, later even absolutely, decreasing; population on individual agricultural husbandries became older and older, while existing resources became less used. The consequences are increasingly poorer rural settlements. Along with official policy for equable development of all regions, obvious regional differences in development were present also in that period. This was until the beginning of'90ies of the last century, when had appeared radical fall in real sector of the economy, especially in industry where major workers had been employed and had the most significant participation in creation of the country's domestic product. The similar happens with the construction activity, but also with agricultural enterprises and agricultural cooperatives. Many regions in the country were left without enterprises where workers had gained a live hood and the state its incomes. During these events, the regional differences have significantly increased. As it is not impossible quick or almost none renewal of industrial production, especially in those branches which require great investments, and could employ more workers, we consider that the development focus should direct, as much as possible, to improvement of agricultural activity, as in primary production, as well as in processing of those products in food products. Therefore modest, but possible investments, would accelerate development of this sector, which could employ more workers, with significantly higher production for internal and foreign market. It would simultaneously lead to the improvement of rural development and more moderate regional development of Serbia. In this paper is given a brief review on developmental processes in Serbia after the World War II, on structural changes in economy and population, on the problems of regional and rural development and on real possible role of agriculture sector in improvement of regional, rural and total development of the country in next years.