The National Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development for the period from 2014 to the year 2020 is the main long-term strategic document in the field of agriculture and rural development on which the setting and the implementation of the goals, policies and measures for the development of agriculture and rural areas in the Republic of Macedonia are effectively based. The strategy for the upcoming period 2014-2020 is the second strategic document of this type after the National Strategy for Agriculture and Rural development for the period 2007-2013, a document that was the basis for reintroduction of serious and organized agriculture policies and rural development after their complete abolition in the mid-1990s. The 2007 strategy enabled the adoption of the necessary legal framework in all areas of agriculture and food safety and establishment of necessary institutional conditions for implementing policies through strengthening the existing institutions, but also creating completely new ones. So in the period 2007-2013 the Financial Support Agency was established. Furthermore the Macedonian politics in the agriculture takes on substantial elements of the corresponding Common agricultural policy of the European Union. The text is divided into 3 Chapters, each with own thematic sub sections. The titles are: Agriculture, rural environment and policies State support in the Republic of Macedonia (1); Development goals, policies and measures for the period 2014-2020 (2); Implementation of the national strategy for agriculture and rural development for the period 2014-2020 (3). Main topics covered in the sub sections are here listed: natural characteristics and conditions in rural areas in the Republic Macedonia; geographical, soil and climatic conditions; structure of agricultural land as a prerequisite for development and competitiveness of the sector; demographic and educational structure of the rural population; access to services for the rural population; technical and social infrastructure in rural areas; structure and characteristics of the rural economy; economic development and competitiveness of the agri-food sector; sub-sectoral production structure in agriculture; economic developments in the manufacturing industry; fisheries and aquaculture; agriculture, biodiversity and the environment; agro-biodiversity; forestry and hunting; water management; policies and far-reaching reforms in the irrigation sector; impact of climate change on agriculture and rural environments; crop production; horticultural production; vineyard and wine production; manufacture of tobacco and other industrial crops; fruit production ; wheat and production of animal feed; livestock production; sheep and goat farming; cattle breeding and milk production; poultry; swine production; beekeeping; specific objectives for the development of agriculture and rural areas with policies and measures; restructuring and modernization of the agri-food sector; horizontal integration of subjects in the agro-food sector; renovation and building of rural infrastructure; improvement of minimum social security of the rural population and of the position and role of the rural woman; depopulation of rural areas; establishment of an effective agricultural extension system; continuous education for farmers (compulsory training and demonstrative educational issues); food safety; safety of animal feed; animal by-products; health protection of animals in terms of food safety-zoonoses; animal welfare; veterinary medicinal products; food safety in the area of primary vegetable farming production; detailed indications for sustainable management of natural resources and mitigation of the impact of climate change; preservation and promotion of the forest fund; increasing aquaculture production and sustainable fisheries; wider application of the agroecological approach in the macedonian agricultural sector; biodiversity-protection of autochthonous breeds and varieties; efficient handling of agricultural waste, production and use of renewable energy sources in agriculture.
North Macedonia · 2014-12-21