Tripunovski: Introducing new technologies in agriculture requires adapting existing policies
The results of the project « Agrosmart – Development of Modern and Sustainable Agriculture », funded by the European Union, and implemented by the Macedonian Development Foundation for Enterprises, Hemera and CEP Opportunities, were presented today in Veles.
The project implemented by 11 grantists has resulted in the introduction of advanced solutions, including agri-radiation and recording, drone management training, digitization and automation of irrigation and fertilization systems, sustainable irrigation systems, solar GPS systems, cattle monitoring systems, automaked cattle, automatic Filter Irrigation Station, as well as modern machines for processing of agricultural products.
The event was also attended by the representative of the European delegation, Alexander Alba and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Cvetko Tripunovski.
Tripunovski informed that the project started on February 1, 2023 and will last until the end of this month with a budget of 500,000 euros. Through the program of Aerosmart 11 grantists – agricultural cooperatives and companies and enterprises, as he said, developed and modernized their capacities with the most modern equipment in the total amount of about 380 thousand euros, and the other funds were earmarked for their training and improvement.
In his address to the closing event, he reminded that agriculture in the country has been facing serious challenges for decades of agricultural workforce and outflow of young people from rural areas, lack of modern machinery, as well as climate change that directly affect the productivity and security of farmers.
– In addition, the introduction of new technologies in agriculture – such as drones and other state -of -the -art equipment, imposes the need to adapt the existing policies and regulations that the ministry will commit to, « Minister Tripunovski announced.
The representative of the European Delegation Alexander Alba presented the benefits to the Macedonian farmers and the state from the realization of this project.
– Investing about 380,000 euros for 11 grantists for the purchase of new technologies in agriculture is a significant contribution to the modernization of agriculture in the Republic of Macedonia.
As MIA informs, Dimitar Smoljanovski from the Macedonian Development Foundation for Enterprises Through presenting a video documentary for the project, through grant and technical support, the Agrosmart project supported a total of 11 grantists-including agricultural, agricultural companies and enterprises from the Northeast, North-Eastern and Northeast.
– This project is dedicated to modernizing the agricultural sector by introducing modern technologies in agriculture and encouraging cooperation between farmers. All this in step with agriculture in the EU and the world, ie replacing the advanced technologies of the human factor or people, which are less and less in agriculture in the country – said Smoljanovski.
The event presented key achievements and results of the project, innovative agricultural solutions and modern equipment, such as drones of many types and how they function. At the same time, a review of the project’s impact on rural development was made, and a documentary film about project implementation was presented to the audience and how it is implemented by 11 grantists involved in the project.
