Terrestrial Activities of the Directorate for Advisory Services and Field Control in Plant Production in the Ulcinj Area

A visit was made to an olive orchard with around 4,000 trees in Donji Kosići, owned by DOO BLACK MOUNTAIN CO, which, in addition to primary olive production, is investing in building a facility for olive processing with support from the IPARD program. Continuous monitoring of pests and disease agents affecting olives is particularly important across all orchards; during the visit, more intensive application of integrated pest management (IPM) through trap monitoring and problem documentation, such as the appearance of phytopathogenic diseases like peacock's eye (Spilocea oleagina), was suggested. Protection with copper-based preparations at specific phenological stages of olive development is recommended. Special attention should be paid to the appearance of this pest, the butterfly whose larvae, through feeding and development, affect the proper formation of apical shoots, leading to wilting and improper crown formation. In the village of Mide in Ulcinj, mixed fruit and vegetable farming is especially significant on smaller plots, ensuring quality produce for local consumption, with surplus sales conducted on the farm or at the market. In the areas of Šas and Freskanj, there are substantial vegetable cultivation areas, particularly watermelons, as well as other crops like lucerne, corn, and mixed crop-livestock production within several registered farms. In Šas, discussions were held with landowners about expanding activities into agrotourism, especially around Šasko Lake, and exploring opportunities for utilizing funds from the IPARD program.