Southeastern European agriculture officials hope lessons learned during a recent visit to West Central Alberta will end up benefitting their people back home.
Representatives of the federal Bosnian Ministry of Agriculture were in the region last week for the World Plowing Championships in Olds.
“We believe that the lessons learned and the experience in Canada can be applied in our country as well,” delegation member Stipe Sakic said through translator and fellow delegate Dragana Divkovic.
“We're very happy to have the opportunity to visit other farmers and their farms and the Canadian Research Centre as well, where we saw a lot of very modern, up-to-date, very advanced stuff about agriculture.
“Seeing experiences and different development models, especially in Canada, can be applied and used for benefit of our own people.”
The other two delegation members were Borka Sakic and Katerina Spasovska.
The plowing championship was scheduled to be held at Olds College from July 18 to July 21, attracting participants from 29 countries.
Olds College treated the four Bosnian representatives to a dinner at the Diamond Buffalo Guest Ranch, just west of Sundre, on July 17, where guests dined on Alberta beef and received gifts from the college.
Tom Thompson, president of Olds College, said sharing information on Canadian agricultural practices with foreign visitors benefits everyone.
“The importance of hosting our southeastern European guests is to symbolize the importance of how global this championship is,” said Thompson.
“Our guests are ministers or representatives of the ministries of the countries in the southeastern European region and so many of their economies are highly dependent on the future of agriculture and agri-food.”
Last year Olds College officials visited Croatia for the 2012 World Plowing Championships and met with ministers from Croatia, Bosnia and elsewhere and invited them to Alberta for this year's championship.
“We're delighted because this is the centennial year of Olds College and as we were looking for signature events to highlight the year, this of course was one that we really wanted to key in on,” he said.
“I can't think of another event in our province, in 2013, that attracts 29 countries. I think that's kind of special.”
It was the first time any of the Bosnian delegates had visited Canada.
“I'd also like to stress the fact that the Canadians are a very welcoming nation and the hospitality of Canada is wonderful,” said Stipe.
“It's a wonderful country,” added Divkovic.
