The third cycle of training of agricultural producers is underway through the Strumitsa River Watershed Management Project, which aims to introduce comprehensive measures that will significantly improve the ecological status of water bodies and the entire catchment area.
Today's training focused on why too much water is wasted and how this process can be run more efficiently, economically and consequently to protect the environment.
In partnership with local agricultural producers, the Project implements activities to increase the competitiveness of agricultural production in the region and reduce its environmental impact through the introduction of modern, agro-environmental measures.
To achieve these goals, the Project announces a call for a selection of agricultural producers who would be involved in specialized training in agro-environmental production. Producers of fruit crops (plums, apples, and pears) and garden crops (peppers and tomatoes) from the municipalities of Radovish, Konce, Strumitsa, Vasilevo, Bosilovo, and Novo Selo have the opportunity to participate.
The trainings are conducted in:
Radovish - for producers of plums, apples, and pears;
Strumitsa - for pepper and tomato producers (outdoor and indoor).
The consulting company EPI CENTAR International from Skopje is also engaged in the project.
As part of the project, up to 40 producers of plums, apples or pears are planned to participate in the training in Radovish and up to 60 pepper and tomato producers, outdoor and indoor, for training in Strumitsa.
The training will be followed by a test of knowledge within the training program. Based on several criteria, including the test results, 20 fruit crop producers (from all municipalities) and 30 garden crop producers (from all municipalities) (50 in total) will become beneficiaries of the Project`s grants. A prerequisite for receiving a grant is a test score of at least 50%.
The value of each grant will be up to MKD 300,000, reserved for the procurement of equipment and materials required for the implementation of the foreseen agro-environmental measures. The proposal for the type of equipment and materials to be financed by the project will be made by an expert team, while the procurement will be carried out by the UNDP office.
The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in partnership with several local and national partners.