Kochani, 24 October 2024 (FAO/MIA) - Chiflik agriculture area is set to undergo a major transformation, with the village’s land consolidation project reaching a key milestone. On 18 October, local landowners, by a qualified majority, have approved the Re-allotment Plan, marking Chiflik as the sixth village in North Macedonia in which land consolidation takes place. This initiative is part of the EU-funded “Enhancing Land Consolidation in North Macedonia” project, co-funded and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy.

Covering 156 hectares, the land consolidation effort will directly benefit 395 farmers. The Re-allotment Plan significantly reduces the number of land parcels by threefold – from 1,246 to just 454 and increases the average parcel size from 0.13 to 0.34 hectares, creating larger, more efficient plots that will streamline agricultural practices and improve productivity in the long run.

With the Re-allotment Plan now in place, the next phase will focus on registering these newly formed parcels in the Real Estate Cadastre. At the same time, preparations are underway for a significant investment in agricultural infrastructure, with EU funding. Planned upgrades include improving access roads and constructing new ones, alongside the development of essential irrigation and drainage systems. These infrastructure improvements aim to enhance accessibility and ensure effective water management, supporting sustainable growth and higher yields for local farmers.

Construction on the infrastructure is expected to begin next year, marking the next step in transforming Chiflik’s agricultural landscape and driving rural development in North Macedonia.

Photo: FAO