Our organization: In order to remain competitive during transition and restructuring process, Macedonian agriculture relies on agricultural expertise to provide information for decision-making process. The Institute of Agriculture is devoted towards keeping a track with a modern agricultural production, characterized by quick and profound changes. This scientific institution, one of the oldest in the country was established in 1923. Living and working in a dynamic society, the Institute supports the development of modern and sustainable agricultural production in the country through its team of more than 100 scientists, researches and support staff.

Mission: The Institute of Agriculture undertakes applied research within a wider domain of plant production. Its mission is to provide high quality scientific and applied research using methods that are financially, environmentally and socially sustainable. The Institute is dedicated to contribute to the solution of current problems of the Macedonian agriculture and to the introduction of latest technological methods and approaches into the agricultural practice. The Institute of Agriculture is composed of:

•  Department for Field crops and Vegetable Production
•  Department for Fruits and Orchards
•  Department for Viticulture and Wine production

International Projects related to Integrated and Organic Production:

•  Regional Balkan Network for Preservation of Plant Genetic Resources - Swedish International     Development Agency
•  Monitoring of Eutrificants in Crn Drim - Norwegian Research Council
•  Sustainable Development of Fruit and Vegetable Production - International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies

Heavy metal Distribution in Soil and Plants Treated by Agat 25K - Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning - Agat 25K is bio-stimulator and fungicide based on inactivated bacteria that is used in integrated pest management system for plant protection. The Institute of Agriculture has undertaken an excessive research in the region of Veles in order to exanimate the side effects of Agat 25K.
The results of this project indicate that Agat 25K inhibits the absorption of heavy metals in the consumable part of the vegetable crops, specially leafy vegetables that are known to accumulate high levels of heavy metals. The forage crops treated with Agat 25 give a good opportunity to withdraw the heavy metals acuminated in the soil, as the recorded results illustrated higher level of absorption in the treated plants. This procedure can be used for methodological and long term clean-up of highly polluted areas, such as the region of Veles in order to promote the sustainable agriculture.