President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova addressed the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Agricultural Institute at the “Ss. Cyril and Methodius University” – Skopje.
Below is the integral text of the address of President Siljanovska Davkova.
Dear attendees,
Imagine a vast field, brimming with hope and fertility, ready to receive the seeds of knowledge and innovation. At the heart of this field, the Agricultural Institute – Skopje stands out as a leading scientific research and higher education institution that, with providence and visionary attitude, plows through the fabric of time, not only cultivating the terrain, but also modeling the landscape of the Macedonian agriculture with every scientific effort and innovative approach. It is distinguished by its ability to see deeper than the surface, to penetrate into the essence of agricultural challenges and to create fruitful solutions that improve the lives of all of us.
Eighty years after its legal foundation, the Institute is still reaping the rich harvest of its tireless work and dedication. Each newly sown seed of knowledge and each successfully completed project confirms the role of the Agricultural Institute as a pioneer in the field of agronomic sciences, leading our country towards a brighter and more fertile future.
When the first step of the Agricultural Institute was made in the distant 1927, it was as if the first seed in the Macedonian agricultural heritage had been planted. In those early days, agriculture was more than an economic activity – it was survival, a way of life. And this institute was the first spark that lit the way to modern agriculture. From the then “Agro-botanical Department” to today’s Institute, each stage is like a new layer of soil, enriched with knowledge, experience and perseverance. Its origins are deeply rooted in the Macedonian history, but its branches extend towards the future, always striving for new horizons.
The publishing activity of the Institute is like a diary of an agricultural journey.
Since 1952, when the first volume of the Annual Collection was published, until today, scientific papers, monographs and catalogues are a testimony to the Institute’s tireless commitment to documenting and sharing its knowledge.
We can proudly say that the Agricultural Institute – Skopje is the founder of modern agricultural practices in Macedonia. With more than 470 scientific research projects implemented and with the selection of more than 80 new crop varieties, this institution has laid the foundations for modern, competitive and sustainable agriculture.
In each of its activities, in each of its projects, the Agricultural Institute carries the noble mission of binding science and practice. It is a bridge between the past and the present, between tradition and innovation. Its dedication to preserving traditional varieties and genetic resources, its efforts to promote organic and biodynamic agriculture, as well as its research in dealing with climate change, testify to a vision that goes beyond the boundaries of the Macedonian agriculture.
The Agricultural Institute has opened its doors to knowledge and education, offering second-cycle study programs in areas such as oenology and organic crop production, while nurturing future leaders of Macedonian agriculture. In its laboratories, classrooms and fields, solutions are created for the everyday challenges of farmers, the capacities of agronomists are built and stories about the future of our country are written.
Celebrating this important anniversary, I express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the Agricultural Institute. From the founders, through researchers and professors, to farmers and students – they are all part of this magnificent story. Their work and dedication are the foundation of this institution, and their vision is an eternal source of inspiration for future generations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, when we face global scale challenges– from climate change to demographic trends – the work of the Agricultural Institute becomes even more important.
At a time when young people increasingly see less and less perspective in rural areas, and dependence on food imports is growing, this Institute continues to be a driver of change and a pillar of hope. Each of its achievements is proof that with knowledge, dedication and vision we can create a brighter future.
Let us invest in science, in young scientists and in modern technologies. Let us strengthen the capacity of the Institute and support its leadership in rural development, education and sustainable production.
The field of the Agricultural Institute is more than land, a symbol of our collective journey and aspiration. And so, as the sun shines on the field, we know that every furrow is filled with history, every seed with hope and every fruit with a future.
May this field never remain uncultivated. May the hands that cultivate it, the mind that inspires it and the spirit that guides it continue to work tirelessly. May the Agricultural Institute be an oasis of knowledge, a place where future generations will find fertile ground for their ideas and dreams.
