English - Convention on Biological Diversity

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COUNTRY STUDY FOR BIODIVERSITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
5. KEY ECONOMIC SECTORS AFFECTING BIODIVERSITY
5.1. Agriculture
5.1.1. Current status and economic importance of the sector
Agriculture (together with hunting and forestry) has been providing a relatively
stable contribution to the GDP (by method of production) of about 11% over the course
of the last several years (or, more precisely, 10.9% in 1997, 11.4% in 1998 and 11.0% in
1999). During this same period, capital expenditures have experienced relatively high
fluctuations (excluding the private sector, and including social [worker-owned], cooperative,
mixed and State-owned sectors). Thus, compared to 436,182,000 denars in
1997, capital expenditures dropped to 251,899,000 denars in 1998, but increased to
341,825,000 denars in 1999 (these amounts have not been adjusted for inflation;
however, there was a low level of inflation during the subject period).
The total area of agricultural production has noted a declining trend (which is the
main indicator of non-sustainable and inefficient utilisation). Thus, from 1,291,000 ha in
1996 (Table 6), the area of production fell to 1,236,000 ha in 2000. This same trend can
be seen in arable land, which fell from 658,000 ha (1996) to 598,000 ha (2000). Arable
land area typically completely covers valley relief. In the case of pastures, which
comprise the remaining areas of agricultural production, an opposite or increasing trend
has been observed, from 632,000 ha (1996) to 636,000 ha (2000). About one third of this
area is of the mountain or high mountain-type, while the remaining two-thirds is situated
in the hilly areas of the valleys.
Soil types in Macedonia are divided into seven classes by their quality (although this
process has not yet been finalised). About 290,000 ha have been classified under the
most fertile classes I and II, about 450,000 ha belong to class III, 200,000 ha to class IV,
and the remainder to classes V, VI and VII (these are mainly mountainous soils not
suitable for cultivation).
The current state of agriculture is burdened with many problems: agrarian
overpopulation in the lowlands and the need for deagrarianisation, fragmentation of
agricultural areas and the need for their more effective use, poor quality of equipment
and the need for modernisation and the degradation of soils.
Deagrarianisation in Macedonia has been conducted in a spontaneous, disorganised,
premature and excessive manner. Because of this, the portion of the total population
working in agriculture decreased from 22% (according to the 1981 census) to 14.7% in
1991, and 11.8% in 1994.
In addition to the decrease in agricultural workers, there are also problems with the
increased numbers of private agricultural enterprises in combination with the
fragmentation of agricultural lands and the need for their more effective utilisation.
Specifically, in Macedonia there has been a steadily decreasing trend in the average
quantity of land owned per household, from 2.04 ha in 1980, to 1.29 ha in 1994.
Additionally, the properties are fragmented into relatively high numbers of lots per
household (7.7 on average), with the average size of one being 0.14 ha. Current
legislation (the Law on Inheritance) is attempting to solve this problem.
From an economic viewpoint, the poor quality of equipment and infrasctucture is the
next relevant problem in the field of agriculture. This is one of the main reasons for the
increasing dependence on natural weather and land conditions. Due to an insufficient
number of artificial reservoirs for irrigation use, droughts are causing serious problems
which are preventing the full realisation of the country’s agricultural potential, and thus