Consensus reached on land consolidation plan in Chiflik, North Macedonia

The land consolidation project of the Chiflik agriculture area in the Municipality of Cheshinovo-Obleshevo, North Macedonia, is poised to achieve a major landmark that will transform farming in the area. 

On 18 October, the local landowners, by a qualified majority, approved the re-allotment plan, marking Chiflik as the eighth village in North Macedonia to undertake land consolidation. This initiative is part of the European Union-funded “Enhancing Land Consolidation in North Macedonia” project, co-funded and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy.

“The land consolidation results in Chiflik are a prime example of successful collaboration, made possible through the strong partnership between the European Union Delegation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy, and FAO. The active participation of local farmers and the community has been crucial in reaching this milestone, marking a significant step toward transforming Chiflik’s agricultural landscape and advancing rural development in North Macedonia,” said Morten Hartvigsen, FAO Land Tenure Officer.

Covering 156 hectares, the land consolidation effort will directly benefit 395 landowners. The adopted re-allotment plan significantly reduces the number of land parcels by a factor 2.74 – from 1 246 to just 454 and increases the average parcel size from 0.13 to 0.34 hectares, creating larger, more efficient plots that will streamline agricultural practices and improve productivity in the long run.

With the re-allotment plan now adopted by the landowners, the next phase will focus on registration of these newly formed land parcels in the Real Estate Cadastre. At the same time, preparations are underway for a significant investment, with EU project funding, in agricultural infrastructure. 

Planned upgrades include improving access roads and construction of new roads, as well as the devel-opment of essential irrigation and drainage systems. These infrastructure improvements aim to en-hance accessibility and ensure effective water management, supporting sustainable growth and higher yields for local farmers. Construction work of the agricultural infrastructure in Chiflik is expected to begin next year.