Farmers and ranchers will buy drones and robots with EU funds for more modern agriculture

Tetovo – At the office of the “European House” of the Delegation of the European Union today in Tetovo, eight grant contracts were awarded, enabling farmers and livestock breeders from across the country to acquire equipment and technology to develop their agriculture or livestock farming. For the modernization, the European Union provided 208,029 euros, which represents 75 percent of the total investment, while the remaining funds are financed by the grantees.

The financial support is provided by the European Union’s investment through the project “Agro Smart development of modern sustainable agriculture,” implemented by the Macedonian Enterprise Development Foundation – MEDF.

– The selected agricultural cooperatives, livestock farms, and enterprises, with the financial support, will acquire agricultural drones for scanning and irrigating crops, advanced software for data analysis and processing, allowing farmers to reduce costs for irrigation, fertilization, and protection against insects and diseases. In the Polog region, equipment will be acquired, including robots specialized in cleaning livestock farms and automated calf feeding. In the Southeastern and Northeastern region, investment will be made in automatic irrigation and fertilization systems, as well as in smart devices for measuring soil and weather condition indicators adapted to the specific culture being produced, emphasized Lazar Nedanoski, director of MEDF.

Goran Matovski, one of the grantees, explained at the ceremony that with this investment, he would be able to develop his livestock farm, which currently has 250 cattle, producing over 2000 liters of milk.

– With the EU’s investment and support, we will obtain modern equipment, including a calf feeding robot, also known as an artificial mother, which will provide better traceability and development of the calves and the farm itself. A robot for cleaning cow paths. The equipment will help increase the quality and quantity of milk and the health condition of the animals, highlighted Matovski.

At the event, Steffen Hudolin, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union, also addressed, emphasizing the European Union’s commitment to the development of agriculture through supporting such developmental projects.

The eight grantees were chosen in the first call, and there is currently an ongoing opportunity for other farmers and livestock breeders to apply for the grant. (June 10)