PROJECT TITLE:

Increased capacities for exports

OVERALL OBJECTIVE:

The global objective of this grant scheme is to support improved access to and competitiveness on the national and international markets for Kosovo's agri-rural goods and services.

LOCATION:

Shterpce or Dragash, Štrpce or Dragas, Ferizaj or Prizren

SECTOR:

Agriculture

DURATION:

24 months (02/01/2019 – 01/31/2022)

VALUE:

Total: 552,825€ ; EU contribution (54.32%)

BENEFICIARIES:

Target group: Hit Flores owners, current staff, 37 new employees, renew contracts with 200 non wood forest products harvesters including 30 women, sign contracts with 150 raspberry harvesters; Finale beneficiaries: consumers, local taxes, construction company, input dealers, improved environment etc.

PROJECT PURPOSES:

With this investment the company intends to improve competitiveness of locally produced berries in the international market through improving vertical integration of 150 berries farmers, increase processing capacities of high-quality jam and addressing climate challenges. With this investment, the company aims to complete some of the current investments and to create new products.

ACTIVITIES:

-The climate-controlled collection center and storage facilities (sandwich panels) 600m2 – main purpose, including administration building; -Laser sorting technology line raspberry and blackberry (backbone of investment) where to install to new storage Shterpce or Dragash. This equipment will sort raspberry and blackberry, to grade into two classes dedicated to exports and rest for processing; -The processing line for jam is operational and through this investment is going this processing line to be certified the new jam processing line with HACCP; -Contracting farmers 350 in primary production: 200 existing and 150 new contracted; -Improve the branding of the products; -Solar panels 100 KW for reducing or replacing the electric energy produced from fossil and this way to reduce greenhouse gasses and investment in the wastewater.

RESULTS:

-Increase collection and export to 2600 tons/per year; -Improve vertical integration of 200 existing farmers and 150 new farmers, in totally 350 berry farmers – out of them 30 women farmers; -Increasing processing capacities of high-quality jam and start the processing of the blackberry, blueberry, and rosehips into jams and marmalades; -37 new employees