Agriculture in North Macedonia Hit by Hail and Torrential Rains, Farmers Seek Compensation

Heavy rain and hail that hit several areas of the Skopje region, as well as other cities across the country, have left major consequences for agriculture. Large cultivated areas have been flooded, while farmers have reported damage to agricultural crops, especially vegetables, orchards and other seasonal plantings.

In the Pelagonia region, farmers have reported major damage from hail to tobacco plantations. They are calling on the responsible institutions to go into the field, record the damage and take measures to compensate the losses.

Asked about the assessment of the damage and compensation, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski gave a brief response, saying that the damage would be compensated, but without providing further details.

“Will you provide compensation for farmers who suffered damage from the bad weather?” “As for compensation for the farmers, yes, of course,” said Hristijan Mickoski, Prime Minister.

In the village of Shishovë in the Municipality of Saraj, after the hailstorm, a farmer published footage from a field planted with melons, which he said was damaged almost entirely.

Farmers from Strumica have also shared footage of damaged watermelon, which they say was ready to go to market, but was completely destroyed by the hail.

Regarding compensation for the consequences caused by hail and rainfall in previous years, according to the information, there are still farmers in different regions who say they have not received compensation from previous years.

In addition to the consequences for agricultural production, the rainfall has also caused difficulties for rural infrastructure, damaging local roads and drainage systems. Authorities said that a crisis headquarters has been formed, while inspectors are expected to go into the field in the coming days to carry out a full assessment of the situation./Alsat/