The Republic of Georgia — located between Europe and the Middle East — is home to a population of over nine million citizens. The nation ranks 116th in GDP per capita with a poverty rate of about 30 percent.
Infrastructure in Georgia has slowly improved over the last few years, and according to research done by the World Bank, Georgia has also worked to facilitate trade and increase their value proposition as a transit country.
Electricity and Infrastructure Improvements
Electrical transmission lines cover up to 11,297 kilometers in Georgia already, and plans to expand capacity are underway. Georgia is also adding 1,700 Km of new lines by 2022 while simultaneously upgrading cross-border transmission capacity that could reach up to 5,000 MW by 2022.
Infrastructure in Georgia is becoming the central focus of the government’s plan to improve economic conditions in the country. In fact, the nation contains an abundance of untapped resources that explicitly appeal to the booming digital sector.
Financial Aid and Investments
The 1996 U.S financial backing of the local startup Sanet Network led to the first internet service provider of the modest nation, as well as the rise of four others. Since 2008, however, telecommunication infrastructure investment has plateaued while software piracy has also reached alarming levels that frighten away foreign investment in technology.
Lack of IT investment also holds back other industries like hospitality, energy, manufacturing and real estate. In the digital age, these industries rely on data centers, telecom hubs and energy distributors, who in turn rely heavily on infrastructure that can operate on scalable and flexible distribution models.
Georgia’s Location as Potential Hub
Although challenges exist, Georgia is geographically well-positioned and could, in theory, become a mega-hub for interconnectivity and a major power provider for its neighboring countries. Potential for growth definitely exists in the energy sector from hydro resources, wind, solar, geothermal and biomass sources. These untapped businesses could lead to ample financial gains for foreign investors who could then accurately implement energy, data center and telecom infrastructures.
Technology companies are now also interested more than ever in being closer to their end-users. Georgia’s multi-bordering capability can cede mass future cloud deployments. Cloud providers would have more flexibility and reliability, and also add the highly sought out redundancies to their cloud.
Mega-Moves in the Digital Infrastructure in Georgia
Deployment of Magti telecom infrastructure gave internet connectivity to 2,000 schools — a move that brought over 700,000 new users to the web. Cross partnerships between providers and government agencies (such as the Ministry of Education in Georgia) has improved academia in urban and rural areas, which also serves as an important advance in alleviating poverty.
BitFurry, a global bit-coin blockchain service provider, recently had success with data centers located in Gori; Georgia anticipated spending over 100 million dollars in infrastructure to deploy its next hub at a new technology park that was funded in part by Georgian Co-Investment fund.
But the new 100 Mega-Watt bitcoin mining data center is expected to develop on 185,000 square miles of land procured by the Georgian National Agency of State Property called the “Special Technology Zone,” aimed at attracting foreign research and development.
Infrastructure Betters the Nation
Poverty decreased for a fourth consecutive year in the country, although one-third of Georgia still lives under the poverty line; favorable business activity has been the driving force of that reduction.
With only 25 percent of its renewable energy resources exploited, Georgia could also see improvements through sales of excess energy. Georgia’s beautiful high-mountains and fast-flowing rivers are low-cost generation sources.
The digital frontier has opened possibilities for many around the world, and helping countries find ways to self-cure poverty is an excellent tool for sustainable poverty reduction.
Investment into infrastructure in Georgia can have significant positive effects for the sprawling country. Mutually beneficial business ideas can open doors for further innovation and propagate an inclusive digital world economy.
– Hector Cruz
Photo: Flickr
The Impactful Benefits of Digital Infrastructure in Georgia
The Republic of Georgia — located between Europe and the Middle East — is home to a population of over nine million citizens. The nation ranks 116th in GDP per capita with a poverty rate of about 30 percent.
Infrastructure in Georgia has slowly improved over the last few years, and according to research done by the World Bank, Georgia has also worked to facilitate trade and increase their value proposition as a transit country.
Electricity and Infrastructure Improvements
Electrical transmission lines cover up to 11,297 kilometers in Georgia already, and plans to expand capacity are underway. Georgia is also adding 1,700 Km of new lines by 2022 while simultaneously upgrading cross-border transmission capacity that could reach up to 5,000 MW by 2022.
Infrastructure in Georgia is becoming the central focus of the government’s plan to improve economic conditions in the country. In fact, the nation contains an abundance of untapped resources that explicitly appeal to the booming digital sector.
Financial Aid and Investments
The 1996 U.S financial backing of the local startup Sanet Network led to the first internet service provider of the modest nation, as well as the rise of four others. Since 2008, however, telecommunication infrastructure investment has plateaued while software piracy has also reached alarming levels that frighten away foreign investment in technology.
Lack of IT investment also holds back other industries like hospitality, energy, manufacturing and real estate. In the digital age, these industries rely on data centers, telecom hubs and energy distributors, who in turn rely heavily on infrastructure that can operate on scalable and flexible distribution models.
Georgia’s Location as Potential Hub
Although challenges exist, Georgia is geographically well-positioned and could, in theory, become a mega-hub for interconnectivity and a major power provider for its neighboring countries. Potential for growth definitely exists in the energy sector from hydro resources, wind, solar, geothermal and biomass sources. These untapped businesses could lead to ample financial gains for foreign investors who could then accurately implement energy, data center and telecom infrastructures.
Technology companies are now also interested more than ever in being closer to their end-users. Georgia’s multi-bordering capability can cede mass future cloud deployments. Cloud providers would have more flexibility and reliability, and also add the highly sought out redundancies to their cloud.
Mega-Moves in the Digital Infrastructure in Georgia
Deployment of Magti telecom infrastructure gave internet connectivity to 2,000 schools — a move that brought over 700,000 new users to the web. Cross partnerships between providers and government agencies (such as the Ministry of Education in Georgia) has improved academia in urban and rural areas, which also serves as an important advance in alleviating poverty.
BitFurry, a global bit-coin blockchain service provider, recently had success with data centers located in Gori; Georgia anticipated spending over 100 million dollars in infrastructure to deploy its next hub at a new technology park that was funded in part by Georgian Co-Investment fund.
But the new 100 Mega-Watt bitcoin mining data center is expected to develop on 185,000 square miles of land procured by the Georgian National Agency of State Property called the “Special Technology Zone,” aimed at attracting foreign research and development.
Infrastructure Betters the Nation
Poverty decreased for a fourth consecutive year in the country, although one-third of Georgia still lives under the poverty line; favorable business activity has been the driving force of that reduction.
With only 25 percent of its renewable energy resources exploited, Georgia could also see improvements through sales of excess energy. Georgia’s beautiful high-mountains and fast-flowing rivers are low-cost generation sources.
The digital frontier has opened possibilities for many around the world, and helping countries find ways to self-cure poverty is an excellent tool for sustainable poverty reduction.
Investment into infrastructure in Georgia can have significant positive effects for the sprawling country. Mutually beneficial business ideas can open doors for further innovation and propagate an inclusive digital world economy.
– Hector Cruz
Photo: Flickr
Aid for Children Working in Bolivia
Bolivia’s Child and Adolescent Code was passed in 2014. It lowered the legal working age to 10 in an effort to prevent the exploitation of many children already working in Bolivia. But with 850,000 child laborers in Bolivia and only 78 inspectors, it is difficult to enforce regulations. Many children work illegally starting at the age of five.
Bolivian lawmakers wanted to set the minimum working age at 14, which led to riots as shoe shiners, bricklayers, street vendors and other child workers clashed with police in 2013.
The law passed with support from Bolivian President Evo Morales, who said that working children develop “social awareness.” President Morales worked with his father at age six, herding llamas.
Aid for children working in Bolivia cannot come from regulations alone, as they are too lax and purport a vicious cycle of poverty. Working from a young age threatens their health, exposes them to violence and reinforces integral cycles of poverty. As it stands, 60 percent of children working in Bolivia drop out of school in order to continue working.
Four years after the law passed, many fear that the law is failing to protect Bolivia’s working children. Children and their families must get approval from the government to work; however, only about 30 percent of applications are dealt with. Many ignore the law and put children to work unsupervised.
Bolivia has 8.3 million citizens and 59 percent of the population lives in poverty. Culture and need both contribute to child labor. It is seen as normal in Andean culture for children to help support the family. Therefore, aid for children working in Bolivia must extend from a change in social values and political priorities.
Child labor deprives children of their right to go to school, but Bolivian children need money to buy books. They also need to feed their younger siblings and help their family pay the bills. Poverty levels have decreased in Bolivia over the last few years, but children still play a key role in keeping many families afloat.
Aid for children working in Bolivia comes only in the form of regulations and unions that aim to prevent the exploitation of workers. The Union of Child and Adolescent Workers of Bolivia is an organization of young workers that have united to defend themselves from exploitation. They supported Bolivia’s Child and Adolescent Code and do not want the cessation of child labor in Bolivia, but the improvement of its regulation. By fighting for better protection for child workers, groups like this can ensure fair treatment of children in the short term while working to change the cultural norms in the long term.
– Sam Bramlett
Photo: Flickr
The Global Change-Maker: What Has the United Nations Accomplished?
Established on October 24, 1945, the United Nations (U.N.) brought the world the values of promoting peace, combatting hunger, spreading democracy and other noble issues. Although critiqued by many, the United Nations has a positive record of bringing change to various lands, and leaving behind its all-encompassing mission. But what has the United Nations accomplished? Below are three of its key achievements:
1. Keeping The Peace
The role of “peace-maker” was one of the United Nation’s first large accomplishments; in fact, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations currently has 15 peacekeeping operations throughout the globe. By responding to crises — such as Haiti’s 2010 earthquake — and providing basic security commitments, each U.N. operation has reinforced political transitions and helped support fragile new state organizations. The U.N. has helped countries to cease large sectors of conflict and move towards regular development, regardless if peacebuilding challenges are present.
2. The Fight For Children
In 1953, the United Nations added UNICEF as a permanent affiliate of their organization. The U.N. General Assembly acquired the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which explains children’s rights to education, health care, shelter, protection and good nutrition. What has the United Nations accomplished since then? In 2017, the organization created the goal of saving 1.5 million children’s lives through sufficient vaccinations; since 1990, these vaccinations have saved the lives of 122 million children and counting.
3. Human Rights
Announced in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly for the first time, a document would set out fundamental human rights to be protected universally. The declaration has been translated into over 500 languages. Within the United Nations, the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has the main responsibility in the system to protect and promote human rights. The OHCHR also supports the peacekeeping missions in several countries through engaging in human rights via active reports and conducting investigations.
Although there are other accomplishments, these are the three that stick out in answer to the question: “what has the United Nations accomplished?” Pushing for growth as a whole for our future is key. The future is brighter for us all with the spread of peace, children having a chance to reach adulthood and all beings understanding human rights.
– Tara Jackson
Photo: Flickr
Sustainable Water Solutions in Jordan Also Fuel Diplomatic Progress
Scientists and officials worldwide project that shortages of safe, potable water will be one of the biggest global problems of the 21st century. As the world population continues to expand, water shortages have the potential to drive conflict and to stress systems of regional power. In areas where peace and stability are already tenuous, anxieties about access to safe water threaten to upset these fragile balances.
The Middle East and Water Insecurity
The Middle East is a focal point for potential conflicts about water insecurity. Fortunately, nations in this generally arid region are investing in solutions to the vital problem. The Kingdom of Jordan, for example, is turning a few unconventional solutions to gain water security for its citizens.
Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Project
The cornerstone of developing sustainable water solutions in Jordan is the Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Project. Alongside desalination and gaining access to unusually deep aquifers, the Read-Dead project, as it is commonly known, is hailed as a “perpetual” solution to water supply in Jordan. The program has the ambitious goal of connecting the landlocked Dead Sea with the Red Sea, the large body of water separating Asia from Africa.
“The national water carrier project is a mid-term solution to the country’s water crisis, but the desalination of Red Sea water under the Red-Dead project is the country’s long-term solution to water scarcity,” said Omar Salameh, from Jordan’s Water Ministry.
Continuous Supply of Water for Jordanians
Once complete, Jordanian officials will be able to resupply the Dead Sea nearly continuously from an oceanic source. Along with modern desalination methods, this achievement will unlock a nearly continuous supply of water for the arid, rapidly growing country. Despite other immediate efforts, the Red-Dead project is the capstone of a suite of sustainable water solutions in Jordan.
The project also stands to have important diplomatic results for the region. Besides the relief in tensions that can come from one nation in the region having better water security, the Red-Dead project stands to benefit other nations besides Jordan as well. Israel and the Palestinian territories border the Dead Sea also, and the Sea has been losing volume for decades. With the solidarity that can come from sharing a common resource, sustainable water solutions in Jordan could have inordinately positive impacts on regional relations as a whole.
– Paul Robertson
Photo: Flickr
Sustainable Agriculture in Chad
In Chad, a landlocked country in Central Africa, nearly 63 percent of the 12 million population lives in destitution. Developing sustainable agriculture in Chad poses a challenge for its people and economy.
In addition to poverty, Chad scores very low for many humanitarian indicators, suffering from environmental degradation, political instability and internal conflict. Chad ranked 186 among 188 countries surveyed in the United Nations’ 2016 Human Development Report.
Agriculture is an integral part of the economy and of community life. Agriculture and livestock production accounts for more than one-fifth of Chad’s GDP. The agriculture sector employs nearly 80 percent of Chad’s working population. However, food shortages are widespread. Close to 40 percent of Chadian children under age six suffer from chronic malnutrition.
The Impact of Climate Change on Sustainable Agriculture in Chad
Developing nations are more susceptible to climate change than developed nations. In a recent survey of climate vulnerability, Chad ranked the most vulnerable country to climate change out of 186 countries. Sustainable agriculture, as an adaption strategy to climate change, is also a good practice for increasing agricultural productivity and alleviating poverty and food insecurity.
Most of the population is concentrated in the central and southern regions of Chad, where extreme climate conditions, from drought to flooding, have made the region inhospitable. Other challenges to sustainable agriculture in Chad are poor infrastructure and environmental degradation. It is difficult for farmers to restore the productivity of the degraded land, as there is limited access to agricultural services and other productive resources, knowledge and technology.
Recently, the development of sustainable agriculture in Chad has progressed. For example, farmers have adopted a sustainable rainwater harvesting technique, called Zaï, to overcome desertification and increase productivity. Though Zaï is labor intensive, it could help Chad achieve food security and safeguard it against a changing climate.
In 2016, the government of Chad unveiled its national development plan addressing the need for increased agricultural production and industrialization. By developing new or enhanced techniques for sustainable agriculture, like Zaï, the country is taking practical steps toward achieving a goal that will improve the resilience of agriculture for food security and economic growth.
– Gabrielle Doran
Photo: Flickr
Improvements of Sustainable Agriculture in Malawi
The Malawi government, along with aid from the World Bank and others, has spent the past few years creating a new and improved agricultural policy for sustainable agriculture in Malawi. The main purpose in the new agricultural policy is refocusing smallholder subsistence farming to commercial approaches and as a result, sustainable agriculture in Malawi has significantly improved.
Economic Impact of Malawi’s Agricultural Industry
Malawi’s agricultural industry affects their economy directly, as one third of their gross domestic products come from agriculture. The industry provides employment, reduces poverty, ensures food security and contributes to nutrition. With this wide-reaching presence, the country has clearly taken this development project as being one of high-priority.
Malawi is also working towards becoming a secure, mature, sustainable and technology-driven country and has numerous goals the nation hopes to achieve by the year 2020. These goals involve a variety of foci, such as droughts, economic expansion, education, health care, environmental protection and financial stability.
New Agricultural Policies
The country’s new policies have developed through the Agriculture Sector Wide Approach Support Project (ASWAp-SP). Malawi’s new policy comes with three different sub-policies that all work to strengthen the agriculture sector. These three sub-policies are:
With such attention to detail through these more specific policies, the hope for Malawi is more than bright.
The National Agriculture Policy
The National Agriculture Policy is centered on commercialization to promote growth in the agriculture industry. The policy transitions farming communities from subsistence production to non-traditional high-value agricultural chains that will generate more money, as well as create the necessary actions to ensure that these efforts are successful.
The enforcement of this policy includes: sustainable irrigation development, mechanization of agriculture, market development and much more. The government of Malawi hopes with NAP that management of agriculture resources improves and incomes increase — results that would lower the country’s poverty rate and improve nutrition levels.
The Revised National Seed Policy
The Revised National Seed Policy is Malawi’s policy to realize the crop production and productivity goals, and the importance of the quality of the seed. The revised seed policy will provide regulation and control of all seeds, while also protect consumers and dealers to improve to a responsible seed industry.
The Strategic Grain Reserve
The Strategic Grain Reserve will protect the country from maize production deficits, as maize is the major grain for food in Malawi. The new policy will require an early release of funding to procure grain during harvesting and will have a member-committee oversee the maize in both emergency and non-emergency circumstances. The policy also addresses grain storage issues, quality control problems and recycling of the stock.
As of 2017, Malawi’s GDP growth rate is expected to increase from 2.5 percent in 2016 to 4.5 percent. Overall, the new policies installed work to incite the hope of an increase of the sustainable agriculture in Malawi. With the new policies, the agriculture sector of the country will increase — an effort that should also improve the economy, increase employment and reduce hunger and poverty.
– Chloe Turner
Photo: Flickr
A Hostile Environment: The Struggle for Sustainable Agriculture in Syria
With its Mediterranean climate and location in the ancient Fertile Crescent, Syria was once the region’s only self-sufficient country in food production. Before the civil war that began in March of 2011, Syria’s main agricultural exports included wheat, barley, cotton, sugar, tomatoes, potatoes, oranges, apples, olive oil, sheep, cattle, poultry and eggs. Up to 40 percent of the population’s livelihoods were connected in some way to agriculture.
A Nation Ravaged by Food Insecurity
By 2016, though, the country’s agricultural infrastructure had largely been destroyed. Approximately 8.7 million people suffered from food insecurity, and much of the land was parched and dusty. Agricultural woes were both contributors to and results of the current humanitarian crisis.
According to writer Steven Starr, drought and food shortages were the most important factors leading to the 2011 revolt. That sentiment was echoed by Evan Fraser and Sylvain Charlebois, professors at the University of Guelph, who explained that “Throughout history, agricultural problems have acted as catalysts that trigger widespread social and humanitarian crises.”
Drought’s Role in Syria’s Agriculture
2006 was the start of four consecutive years of drought, which had pushed three million people into extreme poverty by 2010. The negative effects of the drought on sustainable agriculture in Syria destabilized the country and caused rural inhabitants to flee to cities lacking adequate infrastructure for such numbers. The result was unrest due to corruption, inequality and increased competition for jobs and resources.
Francesca de Chatel referred to the current humanitarian crisis as “the culmination of 50 years of sustained mismanagement of water and land resources.” Chemical fertilizers and monoculture led to soil degradation, while a poor irrigation system contributed to salinization. Unrestricted grazing turned the fragile Syrian steppe into an eroded desert.
Hostilities Impact Syrian Sustainable Agriculture
The onset of hostilities in Syria only intensified the struggle for sustainable agriculture in Syria. Both sides used food as a weapon, initiating starvation sieges and scorched earth policies. Open warfare put farmland off-limits, and the fear of being shot prevented shepherds from grazing their flocks on roadsides. Less land was cultivated due to power cuts, damage to irrigation canals and the high cost of food.
The rotation of cereal and legume crops was neglected, leading to nutrient-deprived soil and increased pests. Syria’s once vibrant and productive food processing and packaging sector had its productive capacity cut in half. The number of sheep and goats dropped by at least 40 percent, while poultry production was cut by a staggering 70 percent.
Bread is a staple food in Syria, and with the wheat deficit, the price of bread increased by 45 to 95 percent. As access to quality food deteriorated, families were left without fresh produce and forced to skip meals. The U.N. warned that Syrian children faced irreversible health problems in the wake of food shortages.
Seeds of Growth and Hope
Although the situation in Syria is dire in many respects, hope still remains. For instance, 15th Garden – Seeds for Syria is a “civil cooperative program ensuring post-war food sovereignty in Syria.” A network of urban gardens serving bombed and besieged Syrian cities, the work of 15th Garden involves family gardens, rural farmers and agricultural initiatives in refugee camps. Participants swap and reproduce seeds as well as attend workshops and courses that teach skills for gardening and sustainable agriculture in Syria.
Initiatives like 15th Garden are increasingly important for Syrian civil society and serve to demonstrate how anyone can help improve sustainable agriculture in Syria, even just by donating seeds.
– Anna Parker
Photo: Flickr
Efforts Towards Sustainable Agriculture in South Africa
Sustainable agriculture in South Africa is on the rise. Sustainable development can take many forms, but it always requires financial support that often comes from nonprofit organizations or the government.
In developing countries, the government is often too scattered or too ineffective to actually create change. However, in South Africa, the government is beginning to build the sustainability of their agriculture industry and combat nationwide hunger through loans, grants and food security programs.
South African statistics state that over half of the country currently lives in poverty (59 percent). Of the employed population of South Africa, only 68,000 people worked in agricultural industries in 2016, and of the total South African population, 6.9 percent die of nutritional or metabolic diseases in 2016. Numbers indicate that not only is there a lack of sustainable agriculture in South Africa, but also that malnutrition and diseases that correspond with malnutrition are a large percentage of causes of death in the country.
According to the South African Government’s website, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has four main support programs that they are making available to the South African people:
1. The Micro-Agricultural Financial Institutions of South Africa (MAFISA)
Micro-Agricultural Financial Institutions of South Africa (MAFISA) is a micro-loan operation which offers local farmers and business owners the opportunity to purchase equipment such as fertilizer, seeds and wheelbarrows, which may not have otherwise been available to farmers. MAFISA also offers savings mobilization capabilities, so that the small business owners can begin to build their own savings for the future.
2. The Comprehensive Agricultural Support Grant (CASP)
Comprehensive Agricultural Support Grant (CASP) is a grant offered to businesses whose main focus is on the growth of agriculture and land reform in an area. The grant focuses on six major areas, including technology and systems management, regulatory services, marketing and business development, training, farm infrastructure and financial support groups; it is offered in hopes that these local and national companies can help build a more sustainable society in their region.
3. The Ilima/Letsema Grant
The Ilima/Letsema grant is offered only to smallholder farmers and agricultural producers to increase production of food for especially impoverished regions. This grant focuses on food security through the production of food for donation, without immediate return of profit.
4. Fetsa Tlala Initiative
Fetsa Tlala is the newest food security initiative, and it presents much like the Ilima/Letsema grant, but with a much more narrow focus. According to a 2014 News24 article, Fetsa Tlala was created to take unused land in different provinces of South Africa and begin producing food for it. This initiative focuses on producing staple foods (grains, vegetables, etc.) for populations that cannot afford them, and to create job sustainability for those who work in food production.
These four financial support initiatives are the beginning of a national recognition of the lack of food security in South Africa. Sustainable agriculture in South Africa, and the legislation that surrounds it, can reduce poverty and increase the upward mobility of the working class in South Africa. Fortunately, the government is working hard to make that happen.
– Molly Atchison
Photo: Flickr
The Challenges of Sustainable Agriculture in Libya
The physical and economic climates of the country do not support a healthy agriculture industry. Fortunately, the oil industry makes up the majority of the country’s income now. Though sustainable agriculture in Libya used to make up a third of the country’s gross revenue, as of 2008 agriculture only accounts for 1.87 percent of Libya’s income.
The country’s economy does not depend on agriculture, but the population is starting to face the threat of food insecurity without a sustainable agriculture industry. The Libyan crisis forced the emigration of many laborers in the country. Agricultural production dropped and resulted in a major increase in food imports. The residents who have remained in Libya during the crisis are experiencing life in a food desert, forcing them to forgo necessities like medical care in order to pay for food.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the U.N. has been attempting to combat these threats by providing resources such as pest control, quality seeds, technical assistance and education to Libyan farmers. In 2017, the FAO supplied a $3.5 million grant to strengthen the capacities of the agriculture industry.
Additionally, water pockets found throughout the desert have spurred the government to sanction new agriculture projects to utilize the hidden desert resources.
While the Libyan government and the FAO focus on resurrecting sustainable agriculture in Libya, organizations like the World Food Programme are helping families get the food they need in the meantime. Continued focus on maximizing the available resources will help sustainable agriculture in Libya reach its full potential.
– Anna Sheps
Photo: Flickr
Sustainable Agriculture in Kosovo Promoting Unity
Kosovo’s economy is highly dependent on agriculture and related industries, which are estimated to be the biggest sector of the economy. At a broad level, Kosovo’s agricultural sector is doing well, but there are some key challenges holding it back. That being said, external aid, particularly from the U.S. and the European Union, is helping to rectify some of these issues in conjunction with many local activists whose efforts to promote sustainable agriculture in Kosovo cannot be overlooked.
The main challenge facing Kosovo’s agricultural sector amounts most fundamentally to a lack of competitiveness. This results from a variety of factors, ranging from outdated techniques and equipment (with regards to both production and processing) to difficulty with market access. Additionally, Kosovar farmers are facing increased pressure to switch to more sustainable practices before the environment can no longer support their current ones. Encouragingly, many small farmers are open to doing this, but may lack the means to do so, which is why support from outside actors promises to be wildly successful in promoting sustainable agriculture in Kosovo.
Many groups are hard at work trying to modernize the Kosovar agricultural sector and make it more internationally competitive. The EU’s mission to Kosovo has made a point of working with small farmers and providing them with grants to make necessary improvements. Additionally, the EU mission is also working closely with Kosovo’s Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development to ensure that all of the work being done is helping to bring Kosovo in line with the EU’s common agricultural policy and all of its associated regulations.
The EU has made a point to prioritize providing grants to farmers who are also advocates for sustainable agriculture in Kosovo. Saffron Team, one of the EU grant recipients, lobbies against the use of artificial pesticides and works to sustainably produce saffron, a highly valuable crop that is well-suited to the local climate.
The story of Saffron Team is also a good example of how money put towards sustainable agriculture or other seemingly-irrelevant efforts can also have unintended positive effects elsewhere. The owner of Saffron Team, Nexhmedin Kahrimani, is currently negotiating with an ethnic Serb from northern Kosovo, and the two are considering going into business together. When describing this latest venture, he emphasizes the importance of mutual trust in all aspects of daily life. It is quite possible, then, that efforts to promote sustainable agriculture in Kosovo can also play a role in helping to encourage reconciliation between the multiple ethnic groups who call this country home.
USAID is also heavily involved with promoting sustainable agriculture in Kosovo. The U.S. is currently focusing on helping Kosovar farmers improve their production and processing techniques while opening up new links to markets around the world. USAID is working to bring in new investors and generate economically sustainable partnerships that will foster long-term growth in this sector. The U.S. is also working to provide improved equipment and training to help farmers increase volume and achieve greater economies of scale. Additionally, USAID is emphasizing improved food quality to help Kosovar products compete on the international market. The United States is also helping to fund initiatives to encourage young people to enter careers in agriculture, ensuring the promotion of sustainable agriculture in Kosovo in the long term as well as the short term.
As with many aspects of international development, significant challenges are present and it will take time for sustainable agriculture in Kosovo to become firmly entrenched. It will be difficult for all farmers to adopt these techniques at the same rates, and market access may continue to be a problem. That being said, those parties working on these issues in Kosovo are to be commended for their efforts, which are already making a major difference.
– Michaela Downey
Photo: Flickr