The overall objective for MAASP-2 is to work on a national basis to support the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy (MAFWE) develop a pluralistic agricultural advisory system as a tool for implementing Macedonian agricultural policy during the process of accession to the European Union. Within specific geographical domains, the Programme shall improve the conditions for the rural poor people in Macedonia, to reduce their poverty by enhancing the quality, relevance and accessibility of agricultural advisory services. This will be realised through the implementation of three sub-objectives:
- Consolidation of advisory service reform on a national level;
- Selected value chains strengthened through increased market orientation in advisory services; and
- Awareness and capacities increased for poverty alleviation through advisory services for diversified rural development.
The overall approach of MAASP-2 is based on supporting MAFWE to consolidate the experience gained during MAASP-1 in terms of policies, methods and institutional structures so as to enable the emergence of effective, sustainable and pro-poor advisory services. The Programme will help MAFWE to develop capacities to oversee and assess new advisory service policies. The approach will also continue to focus on ensuring that appropriate Macedonian stakeholders develop the knowledge and skills necessary to sustain a reformed and relevant advisory service system. MAASP will remain focused on its commitment to market-oriented and sustainable advisory services driven by the genuine and verified demands of farmers, value chain actors, stakeholders in municipal economic development and agricultural advisers.
