Skopje, 25 January 2024 (MIA) – The first 90 advisors trained in accordance with EU standards and local needs in order to help farmers at every step of production officially received their certificates at an event on Thursday. The advisors will have to continually update their knowledge in order to keep their licenses. They will be listed in an easily accessible electronic registry.

According to Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy, Ljupcho Nikolovski, and the EU Ambassador to North Macedonia, David Geer, the registry is a part of an IT system that will act as the main source of information for farmers over various issues.

The IT system has been created with financial assistance of EUR 150.000 from the European Union.

“This is the first project by the Ministry that has received the highest assessments by the EU, and for which an appropriate law has been adopted. The project is an example of how we should work. It is immediately applicable in practice, it justifies the funds, time, and human potential that has been invested in it. It is sustainable, and it comes at the right time,” underlined Nikolovski.

At the event, Ambassador Geer highlighted the importance of adopting the relevant bylaws for the Law on Advisory System in Agriculture in order to ensure complete results from the project.

“The importance of advice and education in agriculture is greater than ever before. Farmers need to make decisions based on information, so that the production is secure. They need to possess skills and knowledge to adapt to the changing environment and minimize the consequences of climate change, while at the same time preparing themselves for participation in the EU’s single market. Until now, Macedonian farmers had limited access to quality advisory services due to the lack of a system approach and training, but the situation is changing. The new advisory system in line with the EU standards will help them understand and meet the EU’s rules regarding the environment, public health, health and welfare of animals, and good farming practice,” stressed Geer.

Geer noted that the IT system covers all steps – submitting a request, receiving a license, submitting reports – which, he said, will boost transparency.

“The goal of this project isn’t only the beginning of the advisory system, but also to ensure that the system will be sustainable, that it will continue policies that bring about positive changes in the sector, higher standards, competitiveness and fair income for farmers,” added the EU Ambassador.

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