Today, in Pcinja village near Kumanovo, the Climate Change Caravan organized by the USAID Adaptation to Climate Change in Agriculture (ACCA) project made its last of six stops in rural areas of the country.   The Caravan’s aim wasto educate small farmers and other citizens about the anticipated effects of climate change, share strategies for adapting to these effects, and emphasize the importance of proactive responses to them at the grassroots level. 

“The climate of Macedonia is becoming hotter and drier, and therefore more prone to extreme weather such as heat waves, droughts, floods, and hail.  As farmers, you understand what this means better than anyone. You are experiencing this changing climate first hand.” said U.S. Ambassador Paul D. Wohlers. “We want to reduce the negative effects of climate change on agriculture by developing and sharing affordable climate change adaptation techniques that are tailored to the needs of small farmers.”

The USAID ACCA project is testing, demonstrating and disseminating innovative adaptive agricultural practices that have the potential to minimize some of the expected adverse global warming impacts on high value crops grown by small farmers.  The project focuses on the Mediterranean zone, including the Vardar region with parts of Strumica and Gevgelija, agriculturally rich areas that are most affected by climate change.  During May, the Caravan held successful events in Bogdanci and the villages of Novo Selo, Negorci, Rosoman and Timjanik.

NOTES TO EDITORS:   
The three-year USAID Adaptation to Climate Change in Agriculture project, implemented by the Rural Development Network (RDN), was launched in April 2012 and aims to promote agricultural practices adaptive to climate change and raise the awareness of the forthcoming challenges of climate change and the need for joint, community level responses. RDN in Macedonia works to demonstrate a structured approach in mobilizing rural communities to become stronger agents of local development and improve rural policy at the local, regional, national and EU levels.  More than 50 civil society organizations as members of the Network are voicing their concerns at the national level. For details, please visit:www.ruralnet.mk or RDN FB page https://www.facebook.com/RuralDevelopmentNetwork

The American people, through USAID, have invested over $500 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 improve the quality of life and support Macedonia’s transition to a stable and prosperous democracy. 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