Grow More Corn initiative Close out

For Immediate Release

Friday, December 16, 2016

Today in Mogila the USAID Small Business Expansion Project, co-financed by the Government of Switzerland, held a closing ceremony for its four-year Grow More Corn initiative during the agricultural fair Traktorijada 2016. This event was organized by the Municipality of Mogila and the Local Action Group PeLAGonija. USAID/Macedonia Mission Director James Stein and the Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Macedonia, Sybille Suter-Tejada gave remarks at the closing ceremony highlighting the achievements of the initiative.

USAID Macedonia Mission Director James Stein noted, “Many of the people here are aware of how the USAID Small Business Expansion Project, through this initiative, helped modernize corn production in Macedonia with a combination of drip irrigation technology and good agricultural practices.” “Today, there are over 800 hectares of corn and sunflowers under drip irrigation, spread across more than 300 farms. These farms are averaging grain yields of 13 tons and silage yields of 87 tons, per hectare – more than triple the national average! Recognizing the benefits of drip irrigation systems, farmers have started to invest in this technology with funds from their own pocket or with funds from generous drip irrigation subsidies from the Ministry of Agriculture.”

“Macedonia does not have to become a net exporter of corn in order to benefit from increased corn production. All Macedonia has to do to create jobs and increase incomes in the corn-dependent supply chains was to substitute the 62,000 tons of corn it imports every year with domestically produced corn. Through the Grow More Corn initiative, we’re already increased Macedonia’s corn production by more than 7,000 tons, which is approximately 11% of what is required for full import substitution of corn in the country,” added Swiss Ambassador Sybille Suter Tejada.

The agricultural fair Traktorijada 2016 is organized by the Municipality of Mogila and the LAG PeLAGonija for the second time this year with funding from USAID and the Government of Switzerland. The one-day fair will be held in front of the municipal building at the Mogila town square from 10:00 to 16:00.at  Sixteen agribusiness  from across Macedonia that sell agricultural agricultural equipment, and financial services will be exhibiting, including Evro-Stil, Agrostart, New Holland Agriculture, Schaumann, Profi Dinamik, Magan-Mak, Sinpeks, Sano, Hemometal, Euro-Polog, Agrovojvodina, Agrounija, Stopanska banka – Bitola, Horizonti, FULM, Centralna kooperativna banka – Skopje,  and the Local Action Group PeLAGonija.  Presentations for farmers and agriculture professionals will also be held during the fair.

NOTES TO THE EDITORS

The American people, through USAID, have invested more than $580 million in Macedonia since 1993. USAID is working with the people of Macedonia to create jobs, strengthen democratic institutions and practices, enhance integrated education, and prepare students for the workforce. These initiatives, in partnership with the people of Macedonia, aim to improve the quality of life for all living in Macedonia. USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries. For more information please visit http://macedonia.usaid.gov and USAID FB page http://www.facebook.com/USAIDMacedonia