Rethinking agriculture and rural development in Kosovo

Abstract

In terms of percentage of households or population, Kosovo is one of the most rural and agrarian areas in Europe. Not unexpectedly, considerable stress is given to advancement through rural development and promotion of agriculture, including protective or, at least, ‘level playing field’approaches tocustoms.In this paper,it is argued that this view is wrong. The potential of Kosovo’s agriculture is severely limited and both the large majority of its people, as well as its most important agricultural industries, benefit from low or no barrier polices.Moreover, whileover half of Kosovo’s households are categorized as rural and have some agricultural production, the very large majority of these are in close proximity to large urban centers, derive the bulk of their incomes away from home, and produce food solely for own consumption. Though masked by poverty, these households are, in reality, suburban with large gardens and development efforts should be viewed in this light.