Women farmers in the Peja region of Kosovo are advancing beekeeping as a sustainable business
By planting rapeseed and chestnut trees, they are improving pasture quality, supporting healthier bees, and creating new economic opportunities for their community.
Building on these efforts, a partnership between CNVP Kosovo and Ekomjalta, led by local farmer Ardita Kastrati, launched an initiative to support the growth and long-term sustainability of women and youth-led beekeeping businesses in Peja.
The initiative addresses key challenges by improving pastures through the cultivation of chestnut seedlings and rapeseed, and by enhancing honey quality through the production of bee bread (pollen patties) for feeding the bees, that promote bee health and productivity. The final packaged bee bread patties produced are used by Ardita’s business to feed her own bee colonies and is distributed across her wider network of women beekeepers within the Women and Youth Producer Group (WYPG), who are also part of the Kosovo National Land Coalition (NLC). The initiative also provides hands-on training and education in beekeeping, honey production, environmental stewardship, and the crucial role of pollinators.
Across the regions of Peja, Deçan, and Istog, eight women farmers improved local pastures by planting seven hectares of new crops - two hectares of chestnut trees across four parcels and five hectares of rapeseed across three parcels. To ensure long-term growth, drip irrigation systems were installed on the chestnut parcels.
The initiative has also introduced modern technology to the region. Four specialized machines now enable women to produce their own high-quality bee feed. This has eliminated the need to rely on external suppliers and is ensuring better nutrition for their bees.
Complementary training sessions have strengthened practical skills in beekeeping, honey quality, environmental care, and entrepreneurship, empowering participants to take full control of their businesses.
These efforts have delivered tangible results. Honey production rose from 1,000 kg in 2024 to 1,500 kg in 2025, with income expected to rise continuously. One full-time job has been created, and an additional 20-30 women have benefited indirectly through access to the technology and training for making bee feed. Beyond economic gains, the initiative helped local biodiversity and strengthened women’s roles in the honey value chain.
Today, the women of the Peja region are doing more than producing honey, they are building a stronger future for their communities. Using sustainable practices, modern technology, and collective work, they are supporting local markets, protecting biodiversity, and proving the impact of women-led development.
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