The State Agriculture Inspectorate (ISHB) carried out nearly 22,000 inspections in the first half of 2026. In the procurement segment, 409 decisions were issued, including orders, warnings and obligations, ISHB Director Ivica Angelovski said today.

Speaking at a government press conference, Angelovski said in response to a journalist’s question that the institution is currently facing staff shortages as inspectors leave upon retirement.

The director stressed that the Inspectorate fully carries out its responsibilities and that its teams remain continuously in the field throughout the year, depending on which agricultural crop is in the procurement period. According to him, the work is conducted in accordance with the Law on Agriculture and Rural Development, while agricultural inspectors check during procurement whether purchasing companies meet the requirements established for the process.

The inspections cover minimum technical conditions, the availability of suitable premises and equipment, possession of verified measuring instruments, and other criteria required by law. Angelovski added that the departure of retiring inspectors has created a significant staff shortage, meaning systematic efforts must be made in the coming period to hire new staff who will cover all the institution’s activities.

Regarding exports, Angelovski explained that ISHB is responsible for monitoring the health safety of shipments.

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The Ministry of Agriculture announced on Thursday that farmers now have an additional ten days to complete applications under the 2026 Direct Payments Program, giving them the opportunity to finalize all necessary procedures.

Minister Armend Muja signed the decision, which entered into force on July 22, stipulating that the final application deadline will be July 31, 2026, at 16:00.

Farmers may submit their requests to the Municipal Directorates for Agriculture in each municipality.

In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) explained that for 2026, the Direct Payments Program has been redesigned to gradually align with the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and is now based on four main pillars.

These include the basic income support payment for farmers, calculated on eligible agricultural land area; redistributive payments targeting the first hectares of the farm and new entrants to the sector; coupled production and quality payments for priority agricultural and livestock sectors; and eco-schemes for organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices.

The ministry appeals to all farmers who have not yet submitted the documentation to take advantage of this extension and apply according to the category of support they seek.

The ministry also reminds that eligibility criteria and required documents vary depending on the sector and relevant measure, while administrative verifications and on-site inspections will be conducted in accordance with Administrative Instruction No. 02/2026 on Direct Payments in Agriculture.

For any additional information on criteria, documentation, or procedures, farmers are encouraged to contact the MAFRD, the Agency for Agricultural Development (AAD), or the Municipal Directorates for Agriculture.

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