The Government will invest over EUR 200 million over the next ten years in the enlargement and overhaul of the existing and construction of new facilities in the irrigation systems.

"Many agriculture issues have been resolved, but irrigation has remained one of the problems that can become even bigger in coming years due to climate change and outdated systems", said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski at the presentation of the strategy before mayors and heads of water distribution companies.

The draft-document, due to be adopted by September, has been developed in cooperation with water distribution companies, beneficiaries of agriculture land, farmers, as well as experts from Turkey, Israel and Croatia.

"This is a well-organized, systematic approach of investments in the irrigation. We do not want the document only to be another piece of paper, but implemented", said Gruevski, urging all relevant factors to involve through their suggestions.

Besides investments in the irrigation systems, the strategy also includes a reform in its management.

"Since 2004 we have implemented a concept that is not functional and does not meet the needs of Macedonia's agriculture. These investments am at increasing the irrigated land up to 85,000 hectares, thus securing the continuity of agriculture production, its size and quality, as well as cope with climate change", said Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Ljupco Dimovski.