Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Republic of Kosovo
by
Dr. Muhamet A. Kamberi
1. INTRODUCTION
Population
Land area, arable and pastoral areas
2. SOILS AND TOPOGRAPHY
Major soil types
3. CLIMATE AND AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES
Climate
Agro-ecological zones
4. RUMINANT LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
Dairy cattle
Sheep
Goats
Equidae
Export and import markets
Milk and milk products
Meat and meat products
Farming sectors
Traditional systems (pastoral and agro pastoral, mixed smallholder, landless systems)
5. THE PASTURE RESOURCE
Pastoral vegetation
Grazing lands
Arable land grazing
Fodder Supply and Grazing
Use of mineral and organic fertilizers
Legislation and government for livestock fodder and pastures
6. OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF FODDER RESOURCES
Development of pastures and meadows
Pasture survey
Infrastructure
8. REFERENCES
9. CONTACTS
1. INTRODUCTION
The Republic of Kosovo occupies a central part of the Balkan Peninsula with 700.7 km of land
boundaries and an area of 10 908 square kilometres. It borders Serbia to the north and east
(351.6 km), Macedonia to the south (158.7 km), Albania to the southwest (111.8km ) and
Montenegro to the northwest (78.6 km) (Source: Kosovo Cadastral Agency). [see map 1]
Kosovo lies between N 43016’; S 41053’; E 21016’; W 19059’,
and is a geographical basin,
at an altitude of about 500 metres, surrounded by mountains and divided by a central
north-south ridge in two sub-regions of roughly equal size and population. (Source:
SOK, Cartography).
Population
The most recent census in Kosovo was in 1991. Estimates of the present population vary
from 1.8 to 2.4 million. Kosovo‘s total resident population was estimated at about two million
in mid 2000 by UNMIK‘s Department for Local Administration. In the “Living Standards
Measurement Survey (LSMS) 2000“, the population was estimated at 1.97 million. The
Labour Force Survey (LFS) 2001 and the IMF have estimated the population at about 1.9
million. Other estimates indicate a resident population in Kosovo of about 1.9 million.
According to the World Factbook the population estimate for July 2009 is 1 804 838. All
sources agree that Kosovo has a very high population density of approximately 175-220
inhabitants per km2.
According to LSMS (2000), 88% of the population were ethnic Kosovo Albanians. Ethnic
Serbs accounted for 7%, while other ethnic groups (e.g. Gorani, Roma and Egyptian)
together accounted for approximately 5%. The same relative distribution on ethnicity has
been found in other household surveys e.g. LFS (2002) and Household Budget Survey (HBS)
2002.
Table 1 shows the population of Kosovo, based on the census of 1971, 1981, 1991 and the
estimations of World Fact book.
By ethnicity
Year Population
Albanians Serbs Others
At the end of the Second World War, Kosovo was a predominantly rural society with 80% of
the population in rural areas. In 1991, the population was still 63% rural. In 2000, the LSMS
estimated the rural population at over 60%. The population is young. About 33% is under 15
years old and more than half are under 25. About 6% is over 65. The active population (15 -
64 years) is 61% of the total. This is a huge potential labour force especially for agricultural
production, an issue to be seriously taken into consideration by all stakeholders.
In 2004 the rural population accounted for nearly 60% of the total of 1.9 million, having
decreased from 68% in 1981 to <65% in 1998. There was no significant change between the
urban and rural population until 1999, when, due to very hard living and working conditions
as a consequence of the war when their animals were either stolen or killed and homes
burnt, a significant part of the rural population moved to urban areas, seeking safer housing
and better living conditions. This migration has directly influenced agriculture especially in
areas where most land is under pastures. When compared to other countries, Kosovo’s share
of rural population to total population is still high e.g. Croatia (42%), Slovenia (43%), Bosnia
and Herzegovina (55%). Riinvest (2002): Survey on Household and Labour Market.
The Agricultural Family Survey of SOK (2006) gives 1 437 585 inhabitants living in
agricultural families. An agricultural family, or economy, is considered one which has at least
0.1 ha of arable land or has at least a dairy cow and a calf, or a dairy cow and a heifer; a
dairy cow and two sheep or grown goats; five sheep or goats; four sheep and pigs together;
three grown pigs; 50 grown fowl; 20 bee hives, more than 20 square metres of fish pond.
The age group is from 15-29 years (29.1%) while those over than 65 years represent only
6.5% of the population.
Kosovo is divided into five main regions (Prishtina, Gjilan, Peja, Prizren and Mitrovica),
and two sub regions (Ferizaj and Gjakova). Currently it is divided into 30 municipalities
(see Map 2) and about 1,500 villages.
Agriculture is the main economic activity and the sector which provides most employment in
post-war Kosovo. The agriculture and rural development plan 2007-2013 (2006) estimated
that 145,000 persons or 42% of the employed population were engaged in agriculture.
Agricultural production contributes approximately 25% of Kosovo’s GDP. After the conflict
most farmers returned, rebuilt their houses and began farming. Kosovo has a high agrarian
density, insufficient agricultural mechanization and an unbalanced cropping pattern. Based
on the 2004 Reinvest family survey, only 49% of families have a tractor, 8.5% borrow a
tractor, 23% rent a tractor and about 19% do not use tractors at all. There is a larger
shortage of associated equipment and motor cultivators. This is especially true in hilly areas
where about 33% of farmers possess some equipment, 7% borrow, 18% rent and 42% do
not use such equipment. Less than 50% of Kosovo’s agricultural land is arable and cereals
predominate with 33%. There are considerable areas under pasture which represent one of
the main potential resources for livestock production, especially in mountainous areas (see
Table 2). Data of the areas differs depending on the source and ranges from about 150 000-
180 000 ha. The areas of pastures by municipalities are given in Table 3.
The yields of feed produced on both cultivated and natural lands is still very low, due to
many factors including, soil quality, limited use of fertilizers, small area under irrigation, dry
conditions in many parts of the country.
Source: Cadastral registry of Kosovo (data presented in Agricultural Statistics of Kosovo, 2007).
Average Total
Type of crop
Area, ha Yield , t/ha Total, t/year
Source: Agricultural statistics (2007) Department for Plant Production & Protection Monitoring Unit,
of MAFRD
Areas planted to different crops and yields (2001-2003) are given in Table 4. According to
these data, potential fodder and feed production areas of Kosovo are:
These areas are an important source for animal feed, and based on the number of livestock
and while the yields reported are low, a considerable supply of main feedstuffs is available
(see Table 5). Demand for concentrate feed ingredients (cereals) and especially oilseed by-
products (oilseed meals) still remains high, but the amount of roughages is very close to
meeting needs.
Table 5. Potential domestic production of animal feed in Kosovo
1 951 rye
8 519 barley
* It is common practice in Kosovo for farmers to give wheat to mills and after deduction of 18% grist
they receive about 50% flour and 33% wheat bran.
According to a digital map of soil types (scale 1:50000) provided by the Institute of Soil
Sciences of the University of Prishtina (Elezi et al. 2004) and referring to the WRB-soil
classification (IUSS Working Group WRB, 2006), the most frequent soil types in the plains
are fluvisols. In the hilly areas vertisols, cambisols and regosols are widespread. In general,
the agricultural soils are significantly modified. Especially irrigation (mainly in the western
part of Kosovo) and soil alteration are crucial factors that have impacted on pedogenetic
processes over centuries.
Kosovo possesses diverse soils, even though its territory is small. This is a result of the
landscape structure, geographic base, flora, climate and hydrography. It is estimated that
15% of Kosovo‘s soil is of high quality, 29% is medium quality, and 56% is poor quality. The
high and medium quality soils account for 44% of total land. They are composed of humus
soil (11%) that is mostly distributed in the Kosovo plain, grey carbonate land (8.4%), alluvial
(7.8%) and other dark and serpentine soils. Poor quality soils are mostly laid on hilly and
mountainous areas. They are composed of acidic grey soils, diluvial lands, swamps and other
infertile soils. Fertile soil has been lost to house and road constructions, mine dumpsites and
other constructions and about 10-15 % of the agricultural land of Kosovo is fallow land
(Mehmeti et al., 2009).
However, in the recent past, the reasons for abandonment changed: the fallow land
nowadays includes land that either left the agricultural sector as construction land, or was
abandoned from cultivation due to poor soil quality (e.g., shallow calcareous soils) or high
prices of agricultural inputs (e.g. fertilizer, seed, and fuel).
The most widespread soil types and their distribution is presented according to Elezi et al. (in
press) and also see Map 3:
RENDZINA- Lies in lower areas and according to the Pedologic map is more represented in
municipalities of Skënderaj where it takes 48% of areas of this type, then in Klina, istog, etc.
Total area under this soil type for Kosovo is 26 332 ha or 2.42%.
RANKERS- Rankers are soils of hilly-mountainous areas. Mostly found in: Dragash,
Leposaviq, Prizren, Mitrovicë, Gjakovë, Shterpcë, etc. and cover 121 822 ha or 11.24% of
the total area.
VERTISOL- this type of soil is formed in valleys (200–600 m elevation). Vertisols are
present in all forms of relief but mainly in flat lake terraces under semi-arid climate. This is a
very common soil in Kosovo and covers considerable areas (108 444 ha or about 10%) in the
municipalities of Lipjan, Rahovec, Vushtrri, Kamenicë, Gjilan, Drenas, Ferizaj, Prishtinë, etc.
CAMBISOL- based on their distribution, cambisols (Eutric and Distric) represent nearly half
(47%) of the total area of Kosovo. Eutric cambisol takes 173 710 ha or 16%, and is more
present in municipalities of Prishtina, Podujeva, Leposaviq, Gjilan, Zubin Potok, Kamenica,
etc. Distric cambisol takes 282 802 ha or 26% of the total area. It lies in all regions of the
country but is more present in Kamenicë, Gjilan, Podujevë, Kaçanik, Gjakovë, etc.
FLUVISOL- This type of soil is present in flooded zones by rivers and takes 83 862 ha or
7.71% of the area. These are the well known regions of vegetable production (near the
White Drini river) in Peja, Gjakova, Klina to Prizren, but also near other rivers in the
municipalities of Deçan, Vushtrri, Podujevë, etc.
PSEUDOGLEY- is present in semi-humid and humid regions with more than 700 mm of
rainfall. This soil is present in Gjakova, Viti, Ferizaj, Podujevë, Prizren, Gllogovc, Istog, etc.
with totally 40 245 ha or 3.7%).
SEMIGLEY- this type of soil is usually associated with fluvisols and takes only 1.26% of
the area with most present in Rahovec, Lipjan, Gjilan, Viti, Gjakovë, Shtime, Ferizaj,
etc.
Climate
Kosovo lies in the south of the northern hemisphere, under Mediterranean-continental and
European-continental climatic influences. The main macro climatic factors which influence its
climate are: positioning of land masses (Eurasia and Africa), aquatic masses (Atlantic Ocean
and Mediterranean Sea), aerial masses (tropical and arctic-maritime or continental) and
position of baric systems (maximum of Azores and minimum of Iceland). The main factors
influencing Kosovo’s climate are: relief, waters, terrain and the vegetation. (Source: Hydro-
Meteorological Institute of Kosovo).
Kosovo’s climate (see Table 6) is moderate continental with warm summers and cold winters.
In the plains and adjacent hilly areas, where there is a continental climate, air temperature
may range from minus 20 °C in the winter to +35 °C in the summer. In the Kosovo plain
about 170-200 days per year are frost-free and the mean annual rainfall is about 650 mm.
In the Dukagjini plain, the annual rainfall is higher (about 780 mm) and the frost-free period
is longer (up to 225 days), indicating a pronounced Mediterranean climate influence in the
western part of Kosovo. Overall the average annual rainfall is up to 700m but its distribution
is not very good.
In Eastern Kosovo and the lowlands of Kosovo, Llapi, Drenica and Ana-Morava it is a little
colder compared to Dukagjini (western part). Average annual temperature is 9.5°C, with
fluctuations from 19.2°C for July and -1.3°C (January).
River systems
Kosovo’s main rivers are Drini i Bardhë (122 km), Sitnica (90 km), Bistrica e Pejës (62 km),
Morava e Binqës (60 km), Lepenci (53 km), Ereniku (51 km), Ibri (42 km) and Bistrica e
Prizrenit (31 km). There are 5 lakes larger than 2.5 square km. One characteristic of the
hydrography is that rivers flow from Kosovo to the Adriatic Sea, the Black Sea and the
Aegean Sea.
Precipitation is mainly as rain in valleys and snow in higher, mountainous regions (Bjeshkët e
Nemuna and Sharri). In Eastern Kosovo average precipitation is over 600 mm, while in the
west it exceeds 700 mm. In the Bjeshkët e Nemuna mountains there are cases of 1 750 mm
precipitation. Snowfall is common during the colder period of the year. In the lowlands there
is an average of 26 days with snow, while in mountain areas there are more than 100 days.
Total precipitation looks almost satisfactory, but due to very big fluctuations between
months, agricultural production in regions with no irrigation often faces droughts or floods.
See Figure 3 which shows the five year (2002-2006) average, minimum and maximum
values of precipitation.
Average wind speed fluctuates between 1.3 m/sec (in Peja) to 2.4 m/sec (in Ferizaj).
Maximum wind speed reaches 31 m/sec usually during March and April. Kosovo has
insolation levels of 2 066 hours during the year and 5.7 hours per day.
Figure 3. Precipitation variability in Kosovo (2002-2006)
Agro-ecological zones
Kosovo is divided into three zones which developed in the Oligo-Miocene ( Gashi & Spaho,
2002):Two plains, the Dukagjini plain in the west and the Kosovo plain in the east with
adjacent hilly areas divided by rivers mainly originating in surrounding mountain areas.
Altitude ranges from 265 m to 2 656 m above sea level, with about 80 % of the area below
1 000 m. In most of Kosovo’s plains and adjacent hilly areas, climate and soils are suitable
for agriculture.
The livestock sector faced the same difficulties as other agricultural enterprises and because
of the conflict, it was estimated that over 50% of livestock was lost. This was associated with
damage to livestock infrastructure which has not yet returned to a desirable level. This
situation led to shortages of animals and animal products, which had to be imported.
Farmers were faced with problems in recovering these losses. Some donors played a
valuable role helping in livestock repopulation and breed improvement. At least 10 000
pregnant heifers of good breeds were imported and distributed to farmers. Livestock
numbers by municipality are shown in Table 7.
Municipality. Dairy Heifers Calves Cattle Total Sheep Goats Horses Swine
Total 166 678 4 3465 46 353 256 496 120 098 13 124 5672 40 903
As reported by SOK, AHS Survey (2006), animal numbers (see Table 8) differ from those
given by MAFRD, Identification and Registration Office of VFA (2003). The relative structure
of animals in Kosovo is shown in Figure 4.
NUMBER OF ANIMALS
Dairy cattle
Dairy cows comprise the biggest livestock population. Of 250 000 cattle, about
140 000-170 000 are cows. The various breeds are shown in Figure 5.
Sheep
Kosovo has a very good tradition of sheep production; their numbers were increasing
until the end of the 80s and beginning of the 90s. Sheep production is one of the
sectors within Kosovo agriculture that suffered the most severe decline in the post-war
period. By November 2001, sheep populations were at 56% of their pre-war levels.
The number of sheep reached its peak of 644 000 in 1961 (see Figure 6). It decreased
rapidly at the beginning of the 1990s and especially after 1996 and according to data
collected from field officers of the Department of Livestock this number is under 100 000,
which is the lowest in the last 70 years. The sheep population by region is shown in Table 9.
Sheep/ha
If we take the dry matter needs of a sheep as 2.5 kg/day, even with an average yield of 1.5
tons per hectare, current pasture production allows for an increased number of sheep. Photo
1 shows sheep grazing at around 1,500m altitude.
The use of the available pastures is limited and could be more efficient because as is shown
in the figure and table above there is still room for more sheep. The main negative factors
for the sheep industry which have caused a decrease in the number of sheep are: lack of
interest of people to deal with this business, low profitability. Problems in sale of products
are:
packaging, and
Because breeding is one of the most important segments in animal production we should
take into consideration some key factors which can help to improve reproductive efficiency
and animal production results in general:
There is a general opinion that low reproduction rate is mainly due to a large number of
abortions caused by:
Poor nutrition
Poor condition of ewes
Contagious micro-organisms
In terms of identifying correct answers it is necessary to do more field and diagnostic work to
determine the main causative agents in a way to develop a good preventive program which
will be introduced to farmers.
Goats
Goat production does not play any important role in Kosovo. As given in Table 8 goats make
up only 3% of the livestock population. Due to increased demand for goat milk and kid-meat,
especially during the last decade, there are some more serious efforts from enthusiastic
farmers in increasing the numbers of these animals.
Equidae
As with goats the situation is even worse with equines. Horses represent just one percent of
the livestock population and their number is falling rapidly. This is mainly because of
mechanization and the increasing use of tractors in lowland areas. Horses and donkeys were
traditionally used for agricultural and other purposes especially in hilly-mountainous regions
where tractors and other mechanization could not work. Because of the high rate of
migration of the population to urban areas and a disinterest in farming in such places the
need for these animals is becoming less and less.
Farming sectors
The Kosovo farming sector changed rapidly after 1999, by changing ownership of land and
other agricultural infrastructure. Most land is privatised or is in process. One problem is farm
size. Minimum farm size to be considered has changed from 0.1 ha in 2004 in 0.5ha in 2005.
Based on the 2006 Agricultural Household Survey, the Statistical Office of Kosovo, made this
grouping of farms (Table 10).
Table 10. Agricultural land based on the size and the structure of the farm
Most of the land is in farms of 0.1 - 2 ha. This certainly affects development of agriculture.
An important issue is scarcity of labour which is the case with all types of jobs related to
livestock production and is more pronounced with shepherds, notably in more remote areas.
Young people are not willing to do this type of job, even when living close to poverty, mainly
because of difficulties in marriages.
Pastoral vegetation
Existing studies on Kosovo’s pastures mainly cover botanical rather than zootechnical and
nutritional aspects.
Miric (1975), reports the presence of these plant associations in pastures of the Northern
part of Sharri Mountain:
a) Calcareous substratum
Carex laevis- Helianthemum linieri; Carex laevis-Helianthemum vineale; Sub-association of
Carex laevis-Helianthemum alpestre Seslerietosum teniufolise; Carex laevis-carex
sempervirens; Festuca adamovicii-Helianthemum grandiflorum; Helianthemum grandiflorum-
Festuca duriuscula.
b) Silicate substratum
Agrsostidetum capillaris; Calamgrostis arundinacea-Luzula erythranthema; Sesleria
korabensis;-Juncus frisicus; Nardus stricta-Festuca fallax; Nardus stricta-Festuca halleri.
According to the Departments for Plant Protection, Plant Production and the Sector for
Pastures and Animal Nutrition of the MAFRD (2005), the commonest species in Kosovo
pastures are: Trifolium montanum, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Medicago falcata,
Lotus corniculatus, Agropyrum repens, Holcus lanatus, Festuca rubra, Poa alpina, Cynodon
dactylon, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Agrostis alba, Dactylis glomerata, Taraxacum officinale,
Papaver rhoeas, Convolvulus arvensis, Polygonum convolvulus, Plantago major, Amaranthus
retroflexus, Daucus carota, Matricaria chamomilla, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Cirsium arvense,
and Sonchus arvensis.
Photo 5. Sharri Mountain pasture of
Kosovo, (Brezovica).
[Click to view full photo]
Based on the study carried out by the Institute for Protection of Nature and Environment of
Kosovo (2003), the commonest herbaceous plants that dominate pastures of the Albanian
Alps are: Festuca heterophylla, Dactylis glomerata, Veronica chamaedrys, Fragaria vesca,
Clinopodium vulgare, Helleborus odorus, Melica uniflora, Danna cornubiensis. Less frequent
are Viola silvestris, Primula vulgaris, Lathyrus niger, Lathyrus venetus, Aremonia
agrimonoidesi, and Trifolium montanum subsp. rupestre.
The following plants are also found: Verbascum nikolaii, Wulfenia blecicii, Helleborus
purpurascens, Luzula luzulina, Anemone nemorosa, Festuca heterophylla, and Saxifraga
rotundifolia.
Near the higher limit of woodland, species like Senecio alpinum, Rhamnus fallax, Soldanella
alpina, Lonicera nigra, Hieracium alpinum, Lilium albanicum, Geum bulgaricum, Asperula
odorata, Luzula nemorosa, Anthemis montana, and Dryas octopetala occur.
Above the higher limit of woodland border there are primary and secondary pastures but
their vegetation is excessively damaged by zoo-anthropogenic factors. In most of these
areas the dominating species is Nardus stricta, but there are also species like Centaurea
nervosa, Polygonum bistorta, Dianthus superbus, Gentiana graminea, and Hypericum
quadrangulum.
According to Avdiu (2005), the pasroral flora of eastern Kosovo (Kamenica and Novo Bërda
region) contains 71 species: Achillea millefolium, Antoxanthum odoratum, Aegilops
triuncialis, Astragalus onobrychis, Ajuga laxmannii, Arrhenaterum elatius, Anthyllis
vulneraria, Alopecurus myosuroides, Allium flavum, Asperula cynanchica, Agropyron repens,
Bromus erectus, Convulvulus arvensis, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Cerinthe minor, Cruciata
glabra, Cirsium sp., Chrysopogon gryllus, Dactylis gomerata, Dorycnium herbaceum,
Euphorbia cyparissias, Erodium cicutarium, Galium verum, Genista sagittalis, Koeleria
pyramidata, Lotus corniculatus, Haynaldia villosa, Hypochoris radiata, Hypericum
perforatum, Hieracium pilosum, Onobrychis viciifolia, Potentilla hirta, Poa pratensis, Poa
trivialis, Poa bulbosa, Podosperma laciata, Polygala vulgaris, Phleum pratense, Plantago
lanceolata, Rumex acetosella, Rinanthus minor, Rinanthus major, Ranunculus psilostachus,
Medicago rigidula, Medicago falcata, Marrubium vulgare, Festuca ovina, Festuca arundinacea,
Fragaria vesca, Trifolium dalmaticum, Trifolium incarnatum, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium
campestre, Trisetum flavescens, Tragopogon pratense, Thymus serpyllum, Teucrium
chamaedrys, Salvia verticillata, Silene conica, Sanguisorba minor, Succisa pratensis, Vicia
cracca, Veronica sp., Viola tricolor, Helleborus purpurascens, Faba sp., Lathyrus aphaca,
Daucus carota,and Cichorium sp.
There is high species variation reported although these two municipalities cover eastern
Kosovo with no big variation in climate and agro-pedological characteristics. Figures 8 and 9
show the most frequent species in this region.
Millaku (2006), has compared some lowland pasture fields in five localities (which represents
five Kosovo regions and are spread in altitude from 400-1 000m above sea level) and
reported the presence of these plants: Achillea millefolium, Agropyrum repens, Agrostemma
githago, Alyssum markgrafi, Alyssum montanum, Anthemis arvensis, Bromus sterilis,
Capsella bursa pastoris, Centaurea arvense, Centaurea cyanus, Cerastium umbellatum,
Cirsium arvense, Dactylis glomerata, Echium vulgare, Festua pratensis, Festuca sp., Galium
aparine, Hieracium stoloniferum, Hypericum perforatum, Lathyrus aphaca, Lolium perenne.
Lotus corniculatus, Matricaria sp., Medicago lupulina, Melampyrum arvense, Mentha
longifolia, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Potentilla argentea, Ranunculus sp., Silene
vulgaris, Stachys scardica, Silene vulgaris, Tanacetum vulgare, Trifolium campestre,
Trifolium incarnatum, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, and Veronica chamaedrys.
This author has grouped the identified plants in three categories. As shown in Table 11 and
Figure 10, the average structure of the plants from five locations spread in different regions
of Kosovo, illustrates the presence of a higher number of inedible plants in three of five
experimental plots. Apart from the poor composition structure of plant communities, the
author reports low yields, ranging from 5-13 tonnes of consumable herbage per hectare.
As well as high plant species variations, there are also yield variations reported in the
pastures of Kosovo. These yields vary from 310-940 and 870-2 080 kg/ha (Avdiu,
2005) and 510-1300 kg/ha (Millaku, 2006). Miric (1975) reports the yields from 329-
5 225 and 2 064-6 275 kg/ha of consumable herbage for calcareous and silicate
substratum respectively.
Table 11. Number of plant species found in five regions of Kosovo (Millaku, 2006)
I 27 15 7 5
II 38 20 11 7
III 27 15 7 5
IV 33 10 20 3
V 26 7 15 4
Grazing lands
Kosovo’s pastures are a valuable resource and provide a good feed base for livestock
development, especially for small ruminants. Pastures present a significant base for animal
feed and the preservation of balance in the ecosystem. The importance of the use of
pastures should not be seen just from the aspect of offering basic feed for animals, especially
during the summer season and producing hay as a bulk animal feed. The use of pastures as
generally recommended should be focused on sheep, but with the proper planning this
resource can be used by other animals. In hilly-mountainous areas where mechanization is
not always possible, pastures and grazing systems would replace cropping.
Prior to 1990, pastures were better utilized and organized (see Table 12); management and
monitoring was undertaken by municipalities through the Socially Owned Enterprises (SOEs)
and agriculture cooperatives. Then, the management of pastures in Dragash Municipality, (a
region rich in pastures), was carried out by SOE “Sharrprodhimi”. Regarding pasture
utilization, farmers were obliged to pay annual taxes. Pasture area and sheep numbers fell
between 1988 and 2004.
Alpine meadow vegetation has been modified through centuries of use for summer grazing
and adjacent sub-alpine vegetation has been repeatedly burned to expand the size of the
pastures. Since the war, grazing of alpine pastures has actually decreased because people
fear being in these remote border areas and the number of livestock is less than in the pre-
war period. Some meadows are reportedly being naturally recolonised with trees since
grazing has stopped. (Kosovo Biodiversity Assessment, USAID Kosovo, 2003)
Table 12. Pasture area, number of sheep per hectare and sheep numbers over time
% decrease, 1988-
1955 1980 1988 2004
2004
Sheep/ha. of
3.2 1.7 2.4 0.6 75
pasture
Some 300 000 tons of fodder is produced from lowland farms, which could replace an
important part of the ration for barn feeding of big ruminants. The most common form of the
feed is still hay produced either from grasses (in natural and sown meadows) or Lucerne
(alfalfa). Silage production is increasing which reduces production costs of animal products.
Silage production also brings more security for farmers for winter feeding but the yields are
still variable and dependent on rainfall. In regions where irrigation is possible farmers
perform much better.
Table 14 gives observations on the animal feeds sector and price per kilogramme of feed
from 2002-2006 (according to MAFRD).
Price, €/kg
Table 15. Average use of mineral fertilizers during 2006 (SOK, AHS, 2006)
Other 111 2 1 0 0 3
The highest amount of mineral fertilizers per hectare is used for vegetables (see Table 15),
but because of the bigger planted area the highest total amount (46 000 tons or 65% of the
total) is used for cereals, followed by forages with 13 000 tons or 18%. The use of organic
fertilizers is shown in Table 16.
Table 16. The use of organic fertilizers (manure) in Kosovo during 2006 (SOK AHS,
2006)
Other 111 nr nr
nr =no record; *Average use of organic fertilizer (manure) per ha(in kg)
Documents which deal with livestock and feed and pastures are:
Issues related to feeds and pastures are closely regulated with Administrative Instruction Nr.
09/2007- The use of Pastures. This document regulates some issues which deal with the
use of pastures such as: taxes to be paid by farmers, the period of the use of pastures,
nomad grazing etc, but is done very superficially.
Law on Livestock Nr.2004/33. This law regulates some more general issues on livestock,
concentrated and compound feeds, but fodder production and pastures are not even
mentioned in this law.
There is a tendency for change and improvement of the habits of farmers in lowland areas
and interest in introducing new technologies, apart from the very traditional way of feed
conservation, by drying grasses, haylage and silage production are interesting the more
serious farmers. Due to more experience in maize growing, Corn silage dominates and new
high potential producing cultivars are available. Fodder production is faced with the
difficulties especially in modern equipment. The actual situation with machinery is not very
good. There are a small number of tractors, with low power and mainly bought more than 20
years ago. Some high capacity equipment cannot be actually applied due to high prices of
modern tractors and associated equipment.
Pasture survey
From the available resources and institutions contacted data on pastures are very scarce and
this is also part of the job to be done. The budgets of institutions responsible for this sector
are very low and it is hard to predict any contribution in this direction in the near future.
Infrastructure
This is another important aspect which reflects directly the situation of agriculture in general
and livestock/feed/pasture production in particular. Regions with the highest potential in
livestock production based on pasture utilization are in more remote places where
infrastructure is in quite bad shape. This includes notably roads and electricity supply, which
makes production difficult and especially producer market communications.
Livestock Breeding, Production and Marketing Sector, Mr. Arsim Memaj, Chief of the
Sector
Feed and Pasture Management Sector, Mr. Lulëzim Shamolli, Chief of the Sector
Department for Plant Production and Plant Protection
8. REFERENCES
Agricultural Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Rural Development, Division for
Agricultural Statistics and Analysis, 2007.
Avdiu, B., 2005. Floristic composition of hilly-mountainous massive of Novo Bërda and
Kamenica, Kosovo. Biological studies, Academy of sciences Tirana (paper in Albanian).
Departments for Plant Protection, Plant Production and the Sector for Pastures and Animal
Nutrition of the MAFRD (2005).
Elezi, Xh.; A. Halimi, and M. Zogaj, 2004. Digjitalizimi i hartës pedologjike të Kosovës.
Departamenti i shkencave të tokës, Fakulteti i Bujqësisë, Prishtinë.
Elezi, Xh. , M. Zogaj, and A. Halimi, (in press). Introduction to Soil Science- Soil systematic
(in Albanian).
Gashi, H. and Sh. Spaho, 2002. Pedologjia. Akademia e shkencave dhe arteve të Kosovës.
Seksioni i shkencave të natyrës, Libri 8, Prishtinë.
IUSS Working Group WRB, 2006. World reference base for soil resources. World Soil
Resources. Reports 103. FAO, Rome.
Kamberi, M.A. 2004. The Agricultural Statistics and Policy Advisory Unit Kosovo (ASPAUK)
Project. Mission Report.
Mehmeti, A., A. Demaj, and R. Waldhardt, 2009. Plant species richness and composition in
the arable land of Kosovo. Landscape Online, 11:1-29.
Millaku, F., 2006. Pasture Improvement and Management Project. Horticulture Association of
Kosovo, Kosovo Cluster and Business Support Project, USAID.
Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, Institute for Protection of Nature and
Environment of Kosovo, Study on the reasonability of the declaration of the territory of
Albanian Alps as National Park. Prishtina, 2003.
Miric, M. 1975. Fodder base of Kosovo, Union of Scientific Associations of Kosovo, Book 37.
(Publication in Serbian).
Riinvest, 2002. Survey on Household and Labour Market.
9. CONTACTS
[The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do
not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city
or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries]
This profile was written in March 2009 and will be updated from time to time.
[The profile was edited by J.M. Suttie and S.G. Reynolds in April/May 2009]