On December 23rd in Gostivar, the Rural Development Network of the Republic of Macedonia held a workshop to promote the study on Adaptation of Animal Production to climate Change in the Republic of Macedonia. Many farmers in Macedonia depend wholly or in part on the livestock sector for their livelihoods. Livestock can be particularly susceptible to climate change, especially increases in temperature. This represents a new challenge for livestock owners and experts since there is little existing experience and expertise in how to deal with climate change-related impacts on the livestock sector. Therefore, USAID Adaptation to Climate Change in Agriculture project has engaged a team of experts from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food, the Agricultural Institute and the Food and Veterinary Agency to develop the first-ever study on the impact that climate change is having on the animal production. Herewith a systematized approach for future adaptive initiatives in the livestock sector was provided.
Prof. Sreten Andonov, PhD, as coordinator of the expert team who developed the study, presented the findings in the presence of around 20 dairy farmers and NEA representatives from Gostivar region. He explained the negative influence of climate change and indicated the need of immediate adaptation of the animal production to these estimated influences. The professor presented some of the adaptive measures as described in the study and provided direct recommendations and advices for the farmers.