The increased risk of drought due to climate change indicates that the country remains highly sensitive to this global environmental challenge. Only for the period from 1987 to 2000, droughts and arid occurrences caused a decrease of 50-60% in the production of agricultural crops on areas without irrigation. The drought was declared a natural disaster in 1993. Lack of rainfall and high
... [Show full abstract] evaporation have created a shortage of water for the normal growth of most crops in non-irrigated agriculture. In the central (driest) region of the country it is not possible to grow some irrigated, cereal and industrial crops without irrigation. Droughts have caused the disappearance of about 60,000 ha of riparian forests.
The increased exposure to land degradation and the danger of droughts and their transformation into a high risk for the Republic of Macedonia can be attributed to the high vulnerability of the rural sector. Desertification, land degradation and droughts create an environment with many challenges for all development sectors in the Republic of Macedonia.
Protection against land degradation and the implementation of rational and sustainable management of land resources can only be successfully achieved if the processes involve partnerships and cooperation between all stakeholders.
In this context, the National Action Plan (NAP) for the fight against desertification in the Republic of Macedonia has been developed through a process of active participation and close cooperation between relevant government bodies, scientific institutions, universities and non-governmental organizations. During the preparation of the NAP, a high level of participation is ensured through consultative meetings of all stakeholders.
This NAP is supported by comprehensive biophysical and socio-economic basic information, identifies the factors contributing to the desertification process in Macedonia and proposes measures and strategy, using an integrated and coordinated (bottom-up) approach to combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought..
At the same time, the National Action Plan (NAP) presents the strategic options and action plans for the implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in the Republic of Macedonia, and will also be complemented in the process of its implementation in an integrated manner with sustainable development strategies and action plans from other countries.