In the Shtip region, autumn planting of agricultural crops is being postponed due to drought. Without rainfall, farmers are unable to enter fields for plowing, while they expect next weekend to bring rain.
According to farmers, climate change has created major difficulties ahead of wheat and barley planting. Goce Serafimovski, deputy chairman of the Farmers’ Association, said they do not remember a similar year: lack of rain has left almost 80 to 90 percent of the area unplowed. He explained that plowing was not done even after harvest, because drought had also prevailed during the summer.
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Autumn planting is important for farmers in North Macedonia, who during this season plant about 85 percent of the land with cereals, aiming for higher yields.
In addition to the difficulties caused by water shortages, planting has also become more expensive, especially due to fuel and artificial fertilizer prices, which have increased production costs. For every decare, preparation for planting will require about 1,500 denars, an expense that farmers consider economically unprofitable.
To cope with these difficulties, Serafimovski said they are in contact with the relevant ministry and will seek support from the Intervention Fund.
