CORN PRODUCTION IN REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA AND POSSIBILITIES FOR ITS CULTIVATION WITHOUT INTERVENTIONAL IRRIGATION

Abstract

Corn is an annual plant from the sub-group of millet grains. In the Republic of North Macedonia, there are relatively good soil and climate conditions for its production. It is the third cereal crop in terms of representation on arable land, after wheat and barley. The production of corn grain in North Macedonia in 2021 amounted to 130 769 tons. These quantities of corn in grain obtained from corn production on the agricultural lands in the Republic of North Macedonia do not satisfy domestic demand. The total annual production of wheat, barley and corn grain in 2021 was 526 045 tons. Rye, rice and oats are produced in much smaller quantities than the other cereal plants.

Taking into account the agrotechnical measures applied in the production of corn and the soil-climatic conditions that prevail in Macedonia, this article gives a special review of the problems faced by this production, as well as the possibilities and measures for its production without interventional irrigation.