INNOVATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

1. INNOVATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE Zvonimir Vukelic Ordan Cukaliev Marija Vukelic-Sutoska Prof. dr sc., University of Zagreb, Croatia Geotechnical Faculty in Varazdin Prof. dr. sc., University St Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, Macedonia Faculty of Agriculture and Food Assist. prof. dr. sc., University St Cyril and Methodius In Skopje, Macedonia Faculty of Agriculture and Food

2. There is always a particular interest to plan modernization of agro, food and water economy, and to have development plan for all valleys in Macedonia.

3. In this paper are presented issues related to structures within the frames of the development plan, agriculture, basic characteristics of the water economy, irrigation possibilities, technical basis of water economy structures according to the programme, protection against floods and erosion, environmental protection and improvement, water protection and the best management practices

4. In this report are presented issues related to design and creation a modern, stable and dynamic agricultural sector, integration of the Macedonian agriculture into the global development processes, development of the rural areas and establishment of favourable economic conditions for the Macedonian farmers, improve the marketing of the agricultural commodities, development of the regional cooperation, and implementation of the action plan for execution of the Agreement for Stabilization and Association with the European Union.

5. A full membership status in European Union (EU) is a goal of the Republic of Macedonia. This desire for incorporation within the EU comes out of the political, economic and cultural cooperation with the EU, as well as from the Macedonian cultural and civilization relation to the entire European region. Coming to force of the Agreement for Cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the EU as of January 1, 1998, was an initial phase of the relationship between the two parties. However, by signing the Agreement for Association and Stabilization with the EU on April 9, 2001 in Luxemburg, Republic of Macedonia defined its own types of economic and social structures toward which ittends to come closer.

6. Republic of Macedonia tends towards fulfilment of the criteria for development of market economy, adjustment of the administration, structure and creation of stable economic and monetary environment. The White Book issued by the European Commission in 1995 set the legislative regulations, which the candidate countries need to implement it with an objective to apply to so called Aquis Communitaire. Also, the White Book identifies the elements which are considered essential to implementation of the unified market, which, because of that, are of priority importance.

7. The Agreement for Association and Stabilization between Republic of Macedonia and the European Union aims at securing a framework for political dialogue, promoting the extension of trade and economic relations between the parties, providing basis for technical and financial assistance from the EU and framework for support to subsequent integration, as well as the innovation specific to this Agreement, to nature the regional cooperation in all fields.

8. By getting a full membership, Republic of Macedonia will gain: 1.Stable political and economic environment, which will facilitate invigoration of the community development as a whole, 2.Greater national security, through involvement into the common mechanisms of foreign and security policy, 3.Opportunity for participation into the decision making process for all issues important for the future, which is of critical importance for Republic of Macedonia, 

9. 4.Large market for the Macedonian economy,  5.Expansion of the trade and stimulation of the economy development and employment, 6.Secured new development opportunities, that arise from the economic and monetary union, 7.Increased competition on the domestic market will motivate and stimulate the Macedonian companies to improve its competitiveness, through development of new products and services, utilization of modern technologies and constant reduction of production expenses, and

10. 8.Greater access to capital, equipment, know-how and technologies, administrative policy of the EU, compared to our agricultural policy, as well as the trace for joining the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU

11. The mid term development opportunities of the agricultural sector are presented in the report, as a material to be further developed by different authors, within the framework of the project Strategy of the Macedonian Agriculture through year 2006.

12. It is obvious that the development strategy has to rely on its own strength, mobilizing its resources, with a more efficient utilization of the natural and economic conditions, but the agriculture has to be a part of the open national market economy, where the domestic and foreign capital with a modern technology will compete in fair conditions, as well as the domestic and foreign products of all agriculture-related products.

13. The analysis of our rural problems increasingly points to the need for paying more attention to the problem in the countryside, individual farmers and their families. In that context it should be expected that the agricultural policy will come closer to that of EU, and subsequently, the agriculture and the farmers will be more and better stimulated and the countryside to be better taken care of.