Farmers with about 30 tractors and other farming machines gathered at the intersection of the road leading to Nasice and Slavonski Brod.

According to the president of the coordinating body of farmers' association, Dragutin Dukic, only farmers from Pozega-Slavonia County are taking part in the protest, as it was agreed with other county associations that they would gradually joint the protest in their counties.

Dukic said the protest is supported by the trade union of farmers' associations, adding that protest in Osijek-Baranja County would start on Wednesday.

He said he held talks with Agriculture Minister Petar Cobankovic who announced his arrival in Kutjevo for Wednesday.

"We will not give up on our requests and we will stay in the streets until our demands are met," Dukic stressed adding that soon over a thousand tractors and protesters would be in the streets.

Among other things, farmers demand cheeper blue diesel fuel, the legalisation of farms at no cost, interest rates of a maximum of four per cent, the payment of capital investments for 2008 and 2009, etc.

Dukic said farmer also ask that Croatia draws up as soon as possible an agricultural development strategy with an emphasis on domestic production.