Kosovo has launched a harvesting campaign across the country. Although this year there is more wheat planted, around 6,000 hectares more than last year, the average yield is 4,000 kilos of wheat, put in other words, over 500 kilograms less than last year.
Although wheat is the main agricultural crop in Kosovo and occupies most of the planted area, it still fails to meet market demands. Authorities argue that weather conditions led to low production, although farmers are satisfied with the quality of the grain.
“We have harvested, but this year there are no good crops like in previous years. So, it’s very weak, also due to humidity and cold in spring. Also, the high temperatures of these days have affected the grains of wheat to remain finer “, says Faik Verbovci, farmer.
The director of agricultural policies at the Ministry of Agriculture, Isuf Cikaqi, points out that most of the planted areas have already been harvested, but a general balance sheet cannot be made yet in order to see what percentage of market demands can be covered.
“According to the information we have, the crops that have been harvested so far reach 4,000 to 4,200 kilos. However, there are plots and areas where crops even reached up to 7,000 kilos. We will only know the results when the final report of the harvest is made” said Cikaqi. “If we say it in total, somewhere around 35-40 percent at the national level is harvested “.
Farmers complain that the cultivation of wheat is not profitable, given that the product is cheap. Besim Rexha, one of the farmers we spoke to, said that the state financial support this year has been lacking.
“This year we don’t have anything, no support whatsoever. We still haven’t received the subsidies, yet”, added another farmer Faik Verbovci.
The chief of agricultural policies, referring to the complaints of the farmers, said that all subsidies will be issued by the end of next week.
“This is a concerning and matter of priority for our institution and government. The rest of the unpaid subsidies from last year, due to the conditions by reasons known to the public, are in the final phase and we believe that we will conclude everything in a few days”, assured Cikaqi.
The Agriculture Ministry has been subsidizing farmers €150 per hectare, but according to experts, Kosovo cannot guarantee more than 35 percent than the demand. As a result, the rest is covered by imports, mainly from Serbia.
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