~ Social integration through strawberry production                            

A hard-working farmer in Kamenicë/Kamenica town who is also hearing-impaired was assisted in setting up a strawberry production business, an initiative that also promotes social integration and social cohesion.

IOM’s Community Stabilization Program (CSP) funded by the European Union supported the female farmer with modern greenhouse technology, ideally suited for vegetables and fruit crops. The beneficiary has the necessary agriculture skills to develop the business and will be assisted by her parents when necessary. She has already created business linkages with local supermarkets to whom she will be selling her products.

~ Contributing to economic empowerment in rural areas 

Another experienced farmer has found a promising business opportunity in gherkin production with the support of IOM’s EU-funded CSP program. The beneficiary is a returnee previously assisted through IOM’s EU-funded Return and Reintegration Program.

The donation will allow planting of around 15.000 gherkin seedlings, which are expected to produce around 10,000 kg of gherkins. The farmer also received a cooling chamber to increase the life span of gherkins, which will allow him timely market distribution.