Within the USAID Small Businesses Expansion Project conducted by Carana Corporation in cooperation with the Municipality of Demir Hisar and JP Macedonian Forests, the Center for Development of Pelagonija Region on 05.04.2014 organized additional free trainings for collectors of mushrooms, aromatic and medicinal herbs and forest fruits in several villages in the municipality of Demir Hisar, on request of local inhabitants from this region.
The purpose of these trainings was to provide concrete support to the stakeholders in this sector, to create new job opportunities for the population and to achieve additional and stable income by utilizing the potential of the region, as proper selection and collection of certain herbs and fruits for their better identification, traceability and sustainability. Additional trainings wеre held in villages Strugovo and Zurce, and the attendance was much higher than expected.The training was conducted by PRO BIO consultancy for organic agriculture and rural development of Skopje. Тhe collectors which attended these trainings will be awarded certificates for sustainable collection of medicinal and aromatic herbs, plants, lichens, mushrooms and forest fruits, which is recognized by the ЈP Macedonian Forests.