Dimovski: We must consider water resources usage and climate change consequences

Macedonia has and produces enough food and from this viewpoint does not belong to group of endangered countries, but it has to use its natural resources rationally and to consider climate change consequences, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Supply Ljupco Dimovski said late Saturday after Berlin Agriculture Ministers' Summit 2012.

Climate change consequences already have been felt, but we work on their mitigation. We obey all recommendations of the World Bank, home and foreign experts. We have been working intensively on protection of the water. In this segment we must be very careful because we cannot say that we are rich with natural water resources. Still if we exploit them efficiently we can provide quality irrigation of agricultural lands, Dimovski said.

Ministers of Agriculture from over 70 states of the world, record number of foreign delegations attended the Agriculture Ministers' Summit, discussing strategies for global food security and the fight against hunger. They recommended that it is high time concrete steps to be undertaken for surpassing the hunger and poverty in the world. The solution is in development of sustainable agriculture.

The closing communiqué adopted as final document reads that agriculture is key sector in creating so called green economy. The use of water and soil must be efficient, rich countries must not ignore developing countries but they should direct towards more investments, also micro financing is necessary and providing financial support to small farmers.

Macedonia as small country has no large influence in resolving global problem with lack of food but by participating in such important and large events we can obtain information on general agriculture policy mainly of the EU.

On the summit's sidelines Dimovski had working dinner with Slovenian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Dejan Zidan.

Macedonia and Slovenia have good relations in all spheres including the agriculture. We want really to show our experience on the road to EU to Macedonia. To be part of the European family means to stable and safe, Zidan said after the dinner.

On Friday Dimovski held bilateral meeting with the host, the German Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Ilse Aigner discussing idea for establishment of Macedonian - German Agro Council and boosting expert support.