Cooperativa “Crusha”: We received no support from the Ministry of Agriculture to be treated fairly

The agricultural co-operative “Krusha” says that despite the important role in export, they have received no support from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Following the news that the Ministry led by Faton Peci granted 100 thousand euros to grant Blerim Pacolli, the brother of Vetevendosje Movement MP, Victory Pacolli, UN “Krusha” reacted to their refusal to apply for grants.

“Agricultural Cooperativa “Krusha” expresses concern and disappointment over the recent decision of the Agency for Agriculture Development (AZHB), which rejected our grant application with the argument that there were no supplementary documents regarding the treatment of waters and the technological description of the production process”, says the beginning of Fahrije Hot co-operative response, which is one of the 200 women in the village of Kruse Rahoci who lost mates, or boys, or during the war in Kosovo.

The refusal, KB “Krusha”, says it was delayed by a year.

We want to stress that the call for application was open during 2023, while the decision to reject our application has been returned in 2024. This delay in review and response affects our plans and operations negatively, damaging development opportunities and investment”, it says in response.

KB “Krusha” explains that “has not benefited a grant from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MBPZHR) since 2015”.

At that time, even though we were declared beneficiaries, the process was accompanied with difficulty and the payment of the grant was not fully realised due to procedures on the part of institutions. Since that year, we have received no support from the MBPZHR, despite our important role in the agriculture and export sector”.

After the rejection decision, we filed complaints in accordance with legal procedures and hoped for a fair and impartial review. However, the decision was again turned down as rejection, this time basing only on a single point, creating the impression of unjust treatment. The agency suggested that we follow the judicial path to challenge this decision, but such a procedure presents big challenges for an organisation like ours”, explains the cooperative of women in this village.

KB “Krusha” thanks, among other things, the European Commission, the German GIZ and USAID for support.

We want to thank the European Commission, the German GIZ, USAID, SwissContact local and international donors, businesses and farmers for their continued support, which has been essential to our functioning. Thanks to them, KB “Krusha” has managed to export agricultural products to European and US markets, promoting Kosovo agriculture at the international level of”.

Despite the contribution, the co-operativa “Krusha” says they are not being supported, while calling on institutions to examine their policies carefully and treat them fairly.

With all this contribution and commitment, since 2015 we have received no support from the MBPZHR. We call on institutions to examine their policies carefully to ensure that organisations such as UN “Krusha”, which make an important contribution to the country's economic development, are treated fairly and receive deserved support”, said at the end of the response.