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 In cooperation with the NGO, Save the
Children, IFDC worked to improve the adoption of new technologies by
producers in the feed grain, milling, and poultry sub-sector to increase
marketed production of quality feed grains, poultry feed, and eggs. To
achieve this objective, KFPP promoted the consistent delivery of
high-quality animal feed ingredients by farmers to agricultural
processors and by agricultural processors to poultry producers. In so
doing, IFDC provided a cluster-based model that can be emulated by
farmers, millers, and poultry producers in Kosovo.
The Kosovo project helped spur the
removal of the VAT on all inputs including animal feed ingredients and,
thus, helped farmers and domestic feed millers become more competitive.
Using their own resources and bank credit, project clients invested $3.3
million. The project assisted local agricultural input dealers with the
direct import of 325 tons of hybrid maize and 1,500 tons of hybrid wheat
seed. Total acreage planted with the maize hybrids exceeded 25,000 ha,
and more than 8,000 farmers had access to improved high-yielding maize
varieties for the first time. Farmers using project recommendations
(hybrid seed, high-analysis DAP and urea fertilizer, and efficient and
safe CPPs) had average maize yields of 5.5 tons/ha compared with 3.5
tons/ha for farmers using traditional practices. Soybeans were
introduced to Kosovar farmers as a new commercial crop for use in
livestock feed. Feed millers increased their domestic grain purchases by
67%, which translated into an additional income of $400,000+ for the
project’s 61 farmer clients in the first year. Egg production by
project clients increased 51% during the first year; this was equivalent
to a monetary value of $8,300/day.
Cluster and Business Support in Kosovo
During 2004 IFDC began participating in
a project to stimulate economic growth and improve employment
opportunities for Kosovars by working with governing authorities to
improve the business environment and by removing barriers to investment
and job creation. The project also focuses on improving the economic
growth and performance in two agricultural clusters—livestock feed and
fruits and vegetables—and one non-agricultural cluster—construction
materials.
IFDC is providing short-term technical
expertise for the agricultural clusters and related activities in policy
advocacy and trade association development. Based on past successes,
IFDC will also provide a long-term local staff position to support
continuity in policy advocacy and trade association development.
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Agribusiness --->
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