Status and visions for the development of organic production in RN Macedonia

In May 2020, the European Commission published its 'Farm to Fork' strategy – 'for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system' – along with the EU biodiversity strategy, where 25 % of the EU's agricultural land should be under organic farming by 2030. Although some of the EU countries even now have exceeded or are quite close to the specified percentage (Liechtenstein, Austria and Estonia), the plan is quite ambitions and means that by 2030 the EU should triple its organic land area (compare with 2019), increase its overall CAP expenditure 3-5-fold by 2030, and dedicate 9-15% of the CAP budget to organic (instead of 1.8% as it now and the 5% forecasted for period 2023-2027). In RN Macedonia, organic farming represents just 0.83% of total arable land, according to 2023 data from the State Statistical Office — well below the 2% target set by the National Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (2021-2027), and the 4% envisioned in the National Plan for Organic Production (2013-2020). Between 2015 and 2023, expenditure on organic production subsidies totaled €12.3 million, ranging from €520,000 (0.4%) in 2015 to €1.68 million (1.2%) in 2023, out of the total agricultural policy budgetary transfers. To meet at least 2% organic arable land goal by 2027, significant reforms are necessary. These include increasing farm productivity, expanding market development, improving certification and control mechanisms, adopting scientific approaches, fostering technical support and innovation, boosting political backing and subsidies, and enhancing national and international cooperation. If these measures are properly coordinated and implemented, the country can achieve its organic farming objectives. Key words: organic, productivity, education, cooperation, market