Women farmers in Kosovo are empowered to shape the future of agriculture

Kosovo’s ¹ rural women farmers are gaining access to modern agricultural equipment, boosting productivity, income, and gender equality in agriculture.

89 rural women farmers have received agricultural equipment to strengthen their livelihoods, through a joint initiative by UN Women and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, with financial support from the Austrian Development Agency. The support is part of the project “Promoting the Empowerment of Rural Women in Kosovo.”

Across rural areas of Kosovo, women play a vital, yet often underrecognized, role in agriculture, from tending livestock and cultivating crops to processing dairy products and managing small family farms. 

“During our observations in the field, we saw that much of rural women’s work is still carried out manually due to limited access to modern tools and machinery, making it physically demanding and time-consuming. At the same time, women balance agricultural work with a disproportionate share of unpaid care responsibilities, limiting their opportunities to expand their economic activities,” said Vlora Tuzi Nushi, Head of UN Women Office in Kosovo.

To address these challenges, UN Women and FAO provided agricultural equipment worth over 113,000 euros to women farmers in the municipalities of Istog, Skenderaj, and South Mitrovica. According to a 2024 survey, 99 per cent of women farmers in these areas actively participate in agricultural activities, often taking on multiple roles within their households.

The distributed equipment, spanning from moto cultivators, milking machines, honey extractors, wax melters, beehives, and refrigerators, aims to reduce manual labor, increase productivity, and create new income opportunities for women in agriculture.

“The equipment was distributed during community events held in each municipality, bringing together women beneficiaries, local leaders, and representatives from FAO and UN Women,” added Vlora Tuzi Nushi. 

For Suzana Ferizi, a farmer from the village of Prekaz in Skenderaj, who has been offered a milking machine and a mower, the equipment is a lifeline. Before receiving it, she milked her cows by hand, a physically demanding and time-consuming process that caused strain and pain.

Today, her daily routine has become significantly more efficient, requiring less time and effort.

“Before receiving the mower, I had to rent one to prepare feed for my cows. Now, I no longer need to pay for this service, and processing feed has become much easier. Without this equipment, I would have had to reduce the number of cows due to the difficulties I faced,” she said.

Local authorities emphasized the importance of supporting women farmers and encouraging their participation in the rural economy. “A particular focus for me as a mayor will be on rural women who want to create opportunities for themselves, work, and change their lives and communities,” said Sami Lushtaku, Mayor of the Municipality of Skenderaj. 

Aurora Alija, a livestock farmer from the village of Kqiq i Madh in South Mitrovica, received milk processing equipment and a refrigerator, an investment she believes will transform her work.

“This will make my work easier and help me increase my production,” she said.

For FAO and UN Women, the initiative reflects a broader commitment to advancing gender equality in agriculture and ensuring that women farmers have access to the resources they need to thrive.

“Sustainable development of Kosovo’s agricultural sector cannot be achieved without the full participation of women. The distribution of agricultural equipment represents a concrete investment in women’s potential, helping them turn their ideas into economic opportunities for themselves and their families,” said Naser Krasniqi, Head of Office of FAO in Kosovo.

Beyond providing equipment, the initiative addresses structural barriers faced by rural women, including limited access to resources, markets, and decision-making opportunities in agriculture. 

From now on, these 89 women farmers in Kosovo are cultivating not only crops and livestock, but also new economic opportunities for themselves, their families, and the rural economies. 

¹ For UN Women, references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).