From May 22 to May 23, 2024, the STINA Women’s Association from Kosovo, in collaboration with COSPE Association (Albania), organized a visit of STINA women to Albania. The visit was supported by the Professional School “Ndre Mjeda” in Bushat, Vau Dejes Municipality, and facilitated by Schola Campesina. The group explored the Zadrima territory, spanning the Shkodra and Lezha municipalities in Albania.
The primary focus of the visit was learning about the preservation of traditional seeds and managing a seed bank, with the aim of replicating a mini genetic seed bank in Kosovo. The group visited the Professional School “Ndre Mjeda” and the genetic center in Bushat, where the representatives of 2 organisations also exchanged seeds
During their visit, the group form Kosovo toured the school’s laboratories and the experimental agricultural field. Discussions between the facilitator from STINA, Tahir Halitaj, and the director of the “Ndre Mjeda” school led to plans for future collaboration between STINA Agroecological School and 2 other agricultural schools in Prishtina and Ferizaj to exchange experiences.
On the second day, the group visited the Agrotourism “Mrizi i Zanave” in Zadrima to observe an example of a direct cooperation between agritourism and local farmers. This agritourism installed the production facilities, and transforms local farmers’ products into traditional food, which is then served and sold in the agrotourism. This visit provided valuable insights for STINA on how to organize small farmers in their region to process products collectively.
The group also visited an agroecological family enterprise in the village of Krajan, showcasing a great example of farm diversification. The farm produces and preserves traditional varieties of fruits and vegetables, as well as meat, eggs, and cereals. This visit highlighted how agroecological principles and farm diversification can lead to profitable, sustainable farming that promotes healthy food, environmental preservation, and biodiversity.
STINA members expressed their satisfaction with the visit, as they saw many examples they could apply on their farms. Contacts were established between the organizations and professional schools in both countries, laying the groundwork for future cooperation and exchanges in the Balkans.
Upon returning to Kosovo, STINA organized an internal seminar with other members and guests to share insights from the visit to Albania and presented the first seeds to be placed in the genetic bank. The medium-term objective of the organizations is to expand cooperation with other Balkan countries within the BILIM community , such as Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a focus on establishing local seed banks which will benefit the local community.