National Agricultural and Rural Development Strategy (NARDS). Country/Territory North Macedonia Document type Date 2007 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Agricultural & rural development, Food & nutrition, Land & soil, Water Keyword Agricultural development Poverty Policy/planning Public participation Sustainable use Community management Extension Research Capacity building Land tenure Financial agricultural measures Institution Gender Rural employment Non-governmental entity Cultural heritage Food quality control/food safety Processing/handling Food security Land consolidation Land reform Water users' associations Geographical area Europe, EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA, Landlocked Developing Countries, Southern Europe Entry into force notes 2007-2013. Abstract The National Agricultural and Rural Development Strategy (NARDS) is a cross-sectoral strategy addressing agricultural and rural development of the country. The national strategy covers the period 2007-2013. Its main objective is to strengthen the ability of Macedonian agriculture to compete in the integrated regional markets of the European Union and south-eastern Europe through measures to increase the efficiency of agricultural production, processing and marketing, and to build appropriate, effective public and private institutions; to improve farm incomes; to ensure that consumers have access to safe, healthy food; to optimize the use of scarce land, forest and water resources, in an environmentally sustainable manner; and to build viable rural communities through sustainable rural development. Full text English