The Future of Food Starts with People

The food on our tables tells a story that goes far beyond the harvest. In North Macedonia, farmers and rural communities are facing the growing impacts of climate change, while working to protect natural resources, sustain livelihoods and create opportunities for future generations. At the heart of these efforts are rural women, whose contributions to agriculture, entrepreneurship and local economies often remain overlooked.

Through its work in North Macedonia and across the Western Balkans, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH supports climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable food systems and stronger rural economies by connecting farmers, institutions, researchers and local businesses.

On the occasion of the International Day of Rural Women and World Food Day, we spoke with Irena Djimrevska, GIZ Advisor for Agriculture and Rural Development, about practical solutions for climate adaptation in agriculture, the potential of North Macedonia's rural communities and why empowering rural women is essential for the future of food production.

Meet Irena.

You have worked across several GIZ initiatives related to agriculture, rural development and climate adaptation. What changes are you seeing today in the way we, as the broader public, think about agriculture and food production in the Western Balkans?

I believe we are gradually moving beyond the idea that agriculture is simply about producing food and generating income. There is growing recognition that it is closely connected to the environment, biodiversity, natural resource management and the vitality of rural communities. We can also see a growing appreciation of local food, traditional products and products with geographical indications. More consumers are interested in knowing where their food comes from, how it is produced and who produces it. Buying directly from farms is one way of reconnecting consumers with producers and recognising the work and commitment behind the food we eat. For the Western Balkans, this means that the future of agriculture is not simply about producing more. It is about producing sustainably, protecting the resources on which food production depends, and ensuring that rural communities remain attractive places to live, work and build a future.

When we talk about food, we often focus on what reaches our table. What do you think people tend to overlook about the farmers, rural communities and systems behind that food?

I think we often take food for granted and underestimate the work, knowledge and dedication required to produce it. Behind the food on our tables are farmers, producers,  family businesses, agricultural workers and entire rural communities whose livelihoods depend on a functioning food system. Their work involves not only production, but also managing risks, coping with unpredictable weather conditions, maintaining quality and safety of the products, as well as responding to changing market demands.

Another aspect we often overlook is food waste. Food represents not only the effort of the people who produce it, but also the land, water, energy and other resources used throughout the production process. When food is wasted, all these resources are wasted, as well. Reducing food waste is therefore an important part of making our food systems more sustainable.

We should also remember that healthy soil, clean water, air and biodiversity are essential to food production, yet they cannot be taken for granted. Protecting these resources is a shared responsibility involving farmers, businesses, public institutions, as well as consumers.

Over the years at GIZ, you have worked on different parts of the agricultural, rural development and food system. What connects these different areas of work?

The connection between these initiatives is the understanding that agriculture and rural development cannot be addressed in isolation. They require inter-sectoral approaches and are closely linked to natural resource management, infrastructure, services, markets, entrepreneurship and the overall wellbeing of rural communities.

For example, connecting agriculture with tourism can create additional income opportunities for rural households while giving visitors the chance to discover local food, cultural heritage and rural traditions. Stronger cooperation among small-scale producers can also improve their access to markets, help them promote their products and strengthen local value chains.

Another important common element is inclusion, particularly the role of rural youth and rural women. Women contribute significantly to agricultural production, family businesses and community life, yet their work and economic potential are not always sufficiently recognised. Creating opportunities for women and youth, strengthening cooperation among producers and encouraging the diversification of rural economic activities can help communities become more resilient.

What does climate-resilient agriculture look like in practice? Can you share an example of a relatively simple change that can make a meaningful difference for farmers?

Climate-resilient agriculture means adapting farming practices to changing weather conditions while maintaining productivity and protecting the natural resources on which agriculture depends.

Sometimes, relatively simple measures can make a meaningful difference. One example is the use of cover crops, which are grown to keep the moisture and protect the soil between main production cycles. The key is to choose approaches that respond to local conditions and the needs and capacities of individual farmers. There is no single solution that works everywhere, but small, well-chosen changes can deliver important benefits over time.

In North Macedonia, we have supported the establishment of a pilot demonstration field for climate change adaptation at the Experimental Field of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food in Skopje. With support from academic experts, different adaptation methods, tools and agricultural practices are tested and demonstrated there. The field also provides an opportunity for interested farmers and producers to learn about practical solutions and see how they work in practice.

Knowledge sharing is equally important. Together with the National Federation of Farmers, we support the dissemination of good practices through demonstrations, exchanges between experts and farmers, and farmer-to-farmer learning. These opportunities help bridge the gap between research and everyday agricultural practice, allowing farmers to exchange, learn  and identify solutions that are relevant to their own farms.

Rural women play an essential role in agriculture and food production, yet their contribution is often less visible. From your experience, what role do women actually play in rural economies and farming communities?

I am encouraged by the changes we have seen in recent years in how rural women's roles are perceived. There are inspiring examples of women managing successful family businesses, developing new products, reviving forgotten ones and connecting agricultural production with local markets and tourism. These women demonstrate that rural entrepreneurship can create opportunities for individual households while also contributing to the wider local economy.

However, progress in visibility does not automatically mean equal opportunities. Continued efforts are needed to strengthen women's skills, access to resources and markets, and participation in leadership and decision-making.

For me, recognising rural women's contribution means going beyond acknowledging how much they do. It means ensuring that their work is valued, that they have the opportunity to develop and manage their own businesses, and that their voices are heard in decisions affecting their farms and communities.

What are some of the biggest barriers preventing rural women from having greater economic independence, access to resources or a stronger voice in decision-making?

One of the main barriers is unequal access to productive resources, particularly land ownership, finance, investment opportunities and business support. Women may contribute substantially to rural households and family farms without formally owning the land or assets they work with. This can limit their access to financial support possibilities,  ability to invest and their opportunities to establish independent businesses.

Changing attitudes towards inheritance and land ownership is therefore important. Women need not only to contribute to agricultural production, but also to have equal opportunities to own assets, make economic decisions and benefit from the value they help create.

Have you seen examples where women lead initiative in agriculture has created benefits beyond the individual woman - for families, farms or entire rural communities?

Absolutely. Examples such as Spirit of Prespa in Carev Dvor and Agro Kalem in Timjanik in North Macedonia, Lucka Oli and Drita`s Natural Products in Montenegro, Fustanella Farm in Albania  illustrate how women-led initiatives can contribute to business development, as well as local development. By maintaining and developing their family businesses, these women have helped sustain family economic activity and demonstrate the potential of rural women entrepreneurship. Their experiences can also inspire others to pursue their own ideas, cooperate and explore new opportunities.

When a woman’s initiative is recognized and supported to develop a business, improve production or reach new markets, the benefits often extend beyond her own economic independence. They can strengthen family livelihoods, help maintain agricultural activity and create opportunities for other people in the community.

There is also an important social dimension. When women become more economically independent and take an active role in business and community decisions, they can challenge established perceptions of what women can achieve. Their example can encourage younger generations and other women to develop their skills and ambitions.

This is why supporting rural women is not only a matter of gender equality. It is also an investment in stronger family businesses, more resilient rural economies and communities that are better equipped to create opportunities for their own future.

A sustainable food system depends not only on farmers but also on markets, institutions, consumers and policy. What needs to happen for these actors to work better together, from “field to fork”?

The first step is to recognise that building a sustainable food system is a shared responsibility. Farmers cannot achieve this transformation alone. They need supportive policies, access to knowledge and finance, reliable market opportunities and consumers who understand the value of sustainably produced food

Together with our partner, the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South Eastern Europe (SWG RRD), GIZ has supported in-depth analysis of agricultural and rural development policies as a basis for policy recommendations and the process of aligning national policies with European Union requirements.

For the Western Balkans, I see particular potential in strengthening local value chains and connecting agriculture with tourism and other rural economic activities. These connections can help producers diversify their income, improve the visibility of local products and create additional value within rural communities.

On International Day of Rural Women and World Food Day, what is one message you would like people to remember about the future of food, farming and rural communities in the Western Balkans?

My main message is that by investing in sustainable agriculture, empowering rural women and young people, and strengthening connections across the food system, we can build a future in which rural communities remain productive, vibrant and resilient.