Tropentag 2021, September 15 - 17, hybrid conference, Germany "Towards shifting paradigms in agriculture for a healthy and sustainable future"

Managing Natural Resources in a Sustainable Manner for Rural Development in Kosovo

The Agricultural University of Tirana, Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (IPGR), Albania

Abstract

Kosovo has shown an attempt to reform the economy, willingness to further progress and to be integrated politically and economically towards the European accession, to benefit of trade and international markets. Kosovo is one of the most rural and agrarian European countries. Kosovo’s agriculture is one of the major contributors to the gross domestic product. Therefore, it represents a key sector whereby most of the rural population engages in. The country is endowed with fertile soils. Wheat production for food and dairy farming were considered as the most important agriculture production of many farmers in Kosovo
This study analysis the mediums of the cereal production and the importance it has for the rural economy. The research used qualitative and quantitative methods. 50 surveys and semi structured interviews were carried out with respondents engaged in the cereal production. Informants were selected purposely in order to deepen the understanding of the sector and to better fill the study’s objectives.
Results show that farmers engage in cereal production. They cultivate big parcels of land. Wheat dominates the cereal production and is followed by maize and other small quantities of grain. However, the domestic production does not fulfil the domestic demand. The imported cereal production is accompanied with bad quality.
Although actors are involved in wheat production, they are not competitive. Farmers face various difficulties. However, wheat production and dairy farming are two sectors that get most attention. Development programmes support the two sectors as they are considered strategic. Therefore, it is encouraged that the farmers should better make use of the resources: fertile soil, good weather condition, farmer’s know-how knowledge and cultivation tradition in cereals production. Policies should continue to support cereal production and the good will of rural population to be engaged in agriculture production. Resources should be adequately managed in the most sustainable way. Future studies should be conducted for sectors that have comparative advantage.

Keywords: Cereal production, rural development, sustainable recourse management, wheat

Contact Address: Anika Totojani, The Agricultural University of Tirana, Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (IPGR), Siri Kodra Street 132/1, 132/1 Tirana, Albania, e-mail: anikatotojaniyahoo.com