“KB Krusha” reacts after refused grant by Faton Peci: Disturbing and frustrating

The Agricultural Cooperate “Krusha” has reacted after being refused the application for agricultural grants by the Agriculture Development Agency at the Ministry of Agriculture, calling it “disturbing and disappointing” Faton Peci's decision, which aroused public indignation after it was approved 100 thousand euros in grants for the brother of victory Pacoll, the Vetvendosje MP, who had registered a farm in the ARB, but registered only after the women took advantage.

KB Krusha announced via a Facebook text the whole degree of rejection by the Ministry of Agriculture, adding that they have not received assistance from the ministry since 2015.

Full Posting:

Reaction over rejection of grant application by Agriculture Development Agency

The Agricultural Cooperativa “Krusha” expresses concern and disappointment over the recent decision of the Agriculture Development Agency (AZHB), which rejected our grant application in the argument that supplementary documents regarding water treatment and technological description of the production process were lacking.

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

Furthermore, we want to clarify that Krusha” KB 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 the institutionally sound problems. Since that year, we have received no support from the MBPZHR, despite our important role in the agriculture and export sector.

Following the refusal decision, we filed complaints in accordance with legal procedures and hoped in 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 major challenges for an organisation like ours.

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 internationally.

With all this contribution and commitment, since 2015 we have received no support from the MBPZHR. We urge institutions to carefully examine their policies to ensure that organisations like KB “Krusha”, which make an important contribution to the country's economic development, are treated fairly and receive well-deserved support.