EAST SARAJEVO TO LAUNCH APP CONNECTING FARMERS AND CONSUMERS

A digital revolution is on the horizon for agriculture in the Sarajevo-Romanija region, as plans are underway to develop a new mobile application called "Plastenik Konekt" — designed to bridge the gap between small-scale farmers and local consumers.

According to the Department for Agricultural Advisory Services – Regional Unit East Sarajevo, the app will directly connect farmers and buyers, offering real-time product listings, direct ordering without middlemen, and greater visibility for small farms. A strong focus will also be placed on empowering women in agriculture.

“Most of these farmers sell produce at their doorstep, with limited access to broader markets and no opportunity to build a recognizable brand. Yet, more and more consumers want local, fresh, and healthy food produced in known and trusted conditions. That gap between supply and demand became the starting point for this innovative digital project,” the statement reads.

The concept was born through collaboration between the "Lubura" farm from East Ilidža, the Center for Digital Innovation at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, and the East Sarajevo branch of the agricultural advisory services.

"Plastenik Konekt" is envisioned not just as a sales tool, but as a comprehensive platform integrating sales, communication, education, and the promotion of local food. It aims to act as both a bridge between producers and consumers and a symbol of broader digital transformation in agriculture.

Lubura farm, a pioneer in organic vegetable greenhouse production for over three years, obtained organic certification in 2022. Their experience underscored the daily challenges of getting products to market and the difficulty small farms face in reaching consumers beyond their immediate surroundings.

The app will offer customized digital profiles for producers, showcasing their farms, available products, photos, and certifications. Consumers will have multiple delivery options—from farm pick-up to urban drop-off points or home delivery.

Direct communication features will allow users to exchange messages, photos, and order details, while the app will also host educational content, from crop cultivation tips to digital marketing and sales advice.

Despite the high number of greenhouses and local vegetable production capacity in the Sarajevo-Romanija region, lack of digital tools has limited their market reach. "Plastenik Konekt" seeks to change that—helping farms gain access to the market, supporting women in agriculture, and bringing consumers closer to the origin of their food.

Although still in the development phase, the app is already being recognized as a major step toward modernizing and digitizing local agriculture.

“In an age where people are increasingly seeking fresh, healthy, local food, this app promises to make that more accessible than ever. For producers, consumers, and the wider community, 'Plastenik Konekt' could become a symbol of a new, digital future for agriculture,” concludes the statement from the East Sarajevo agricultural advisory unit.