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The Decline of Agriculture in Macedonia
More and more traditional crops are disappearing from the fields in Macedonia due to several factors, while others are at risk of being lost in the future.
Older people remember when poppies, cotton, flax, and sugar beets were grown. Sonja Ivanovska, a professor at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food in Skopje, says that after the war, when Yugoslavia was being rebuilt, commercial agriculture was established in Macedonia through cooperatives. This way, farmers received seeds, fertilizers, protection, and everything they needed for cultivation, and their produce was bought back.
The lost crops of the past
In ancient times, vast expanses of land were used to cultivate crops that are now lost to history. These crops, mainly industrial, included cotton, hops, opium, sesame, flax, and sugar beets, which have not been grown since 2008. Additionally, many leguminous crops have disappeared, such as urd (a high-energy fodder mainly for cattle used for plowing at that time), chickpeas, and even alfalfa, chickpeas, and lentils. The water pump, known as “lejka” back then, was cultivated for liquid extraction, but is now rarely seen, used for decoration or as a remedy for sinus problems. It contains many resistance genes and can still be grown today.
The Importance of Preserving Old Crop Varieties
Old crop varieties are crucial for grafting and crossbreeding in agriculture, especially for crops like pumpkins and watermelons. These ancient varieties often possess unique genes for resistance to drought, high temperatures, diseases, as well as genes for original taste, aroma, and quality. Therefore, old crop varieties are being actively collected worldwide to serve as material for selection, aiming to introduce genes for taste or resistance into new high-yielding varieties,” explains Ivanovska.
She adds that many varieties are lost or at risk of extinction, making the preservation of these old crop varieties even more essential.
Winter and Autumn Fruits
Throughout almost all cultures, it is rare to find winter or autumn watermelons and melons. They are not as sweet as the summer ones, but they last until Christmas, and some even until the next harvest.
Varieties of Fruits
Today, with access to markets, there are other fruits available throughout the year that are not grown locally. Varieties of beans with different grains (different colors, patterns, shapes), large beans or buffalo beans (another type of beans), the papuda, as well as the popcorn bean with black, violet, burgundy grains are rarely found only in some remote villages. All these varieties are sometimes grown just to preserve the seed and tradition.
Traditional Crops in Macedonia
Traditional crops in Macedonia have been passed down from generation to generation, even if they are not commonly used for consumption. They are often maintained because they provide a stable yield compared to new crops, as they are well-adapted to local conditions and have a taste that residents are accustomed to. For example, old varieties of corn intended for boiling are much tastier and more floury than the new sugar corn. Poppy is currently cultivated on about 100 hectares. In the past, poppy with the highest morphine content in the world was grown in Macedonia. The unique Macedonian pepper, which is grown with care, is world-renowned.
The Endangered Tradition of Embroidered Peppers
Embroidered peppers come in all shapes and sizes, from the largest and meatiest to the smallest and spiciest. These unique forms are rarely grown and are at risk of disappearing. In every village, the elders are concerned that they will have no one to pass down the seed to,” explains the professor.
Reasons for Endangerment
In addition to the aforementioned reasons, the migration of young people and the abandonment of agriculture are also contributing to the endangerment of embroidered peppers. The most critical factor?
Migration and Its Effects on Rural Communities
Migration is a phenomenon that affects every region, with people moving to different countries for various reasons. As a result, the number of individuals living abroad has increased, leading to a new challenge for rural communities. When these migrants return home for a visit, they often bring back new customs and traditions from their host country, creating a cultural exchange.
For example, last year we visited villages in the Małopolska and Podkarpackie regions of Poland. The residents faced issues with wild animals – wild boars prevented them from planting potatoes, birds attacked their crops, and bears destroyed their grain and fruit trees. The presence of these animals in the villages posed a threat to the livelihood of the locals, requiring them to find innovative solutions to protect their crops.
Climate Change Impact on Plant Species
Climate change has had a significant impact on plant species for several reasons. One of the main reasons is the increase in drought conditions, which has led to a decrease in food availability in forests over the years. This has caused some plant species to struggle to survive and reproduce.
Additionally, plants have evolved to adapt to their environments and have developed mechanisms to protect themselves from threats, including human interference. As a result, some plant species may not be as vulnerable to human activities or changes in their habitats.
Another factor contributing to the loss of certain plant species is their inability to thrive in high-temperature climates. For example, the Tetovo rose has been producing fewer flowers and new hybrids in recent years due to the hot and humid weather conditions. This has raised concerns about the future of this plant species in such climates.
Exploring Rural Regions
Traveling through different regions (we have personally visited over 500 villages since 2014), we often encounter the same data and face the same problems. Traditionally, the older generations have always maintained the old traditions and agriculture. The younger ones either work in administration and industry, or move to urban areas. I understand and support this. In the most remote villages, there are often no paved roads. Some villages even lack access to water. Conditions for sports, culture, and entertainment are almost non-existent,” adds Ivanovska.
The Cultivation of Opium
Opium cultivation first began in our country in 1835 near the city of Sh?.
The History of Macedonian Opium
Macedonian opium, also known as Afion, is believed to have been brought from the province of Afyon in Turkey. Local residents started cultivating it and from its unripe pods, they obtained semi-dried opium through incisions. By the end of the 19th century, 28% of the total opium production in the Ottoman Empire came from Macedonian Afion. With a raw morphine content of 14-16%, Macedonian opium was ranked as the highest quality in the world. It was grown throughout the country, but the best quality was found in the regions of Kavadarci, Strumica, and Veles.
Sanja Atanasovska
