In-depth

Under a changing sky, women carry the weight of climate change in agriculture

Despite various challenges, women engaged in agriculture in Kosovo also struggle with the effects of climate change, which impact their production activities. Climate change, such as continuous rainfall and droughts, affect the quality of products and increase production costs. Despite these obstacles, women like Kimete Hoti and Havushe Bunjaku stand as examples of resilience and dedication amid daily challenges that demand immense effort and skillful management.

For Kimete Hoti from Krusha e Madhe, for the past 25 years, spring days begin before dawn and end at midnight. By four in the morning, she is already up, envisioning the long list of tasks awaiting her in beekeeping and ajvar preparation.

Amid the intense rhythm of work—accompanied by the buzzing of bees and the aroma of roasted peppers, the arrival of summer increases the workload, stretching her days even further. Taking care of the bees, collecting honey, and preparing ajvar is a meticulous process that requires time, patience, and constant attention.

As the seasons pass and autumn approaches, bringing cooler air, the workload peaks. November marks the end of the season, concluding a long and exhausting period of effort for Kimete.

“You probably wouldn’t believe it if I told you. I wake up at four in the morning, and sometimes I wonder—are there 24 hours a day, or 30? The only break I get is for food and coffee because the season is so short,” Kimete explains, describing her grueling routine from March to November.

“For example, once the peppers are roasted, they must be peeled immediately—you can’t leave them sitting for too long. Then they need to be drained, boiled, and cooked thoroughly. Time doesn’t wait. It takes seven or eight hours just for the cooking process, hours upon hours in total.”

Although Kimete now leads her own business, Honey and Ajvar of Krusha, which she runs with great passion, 25 years ago, beekeeping, pickling, and ajvar preparation were not business ventures but a means of survival. At just 27 years old, Kimete became the sole provider for her two children after her husband was killed in the war by Serbian forces.

“In 1999, our house was completely burned down. My husband and brother-in-law were killed in the war. For a long time, as we searched for them, we remained among the families looking for the missing. We couldn’t envision how life would go on, but until we found them, it was incredibly difficult,” Kimete recounts. 

“In 2008, we finally found my husband and brother-in-law and buried them. Until then, all our time was spent searching for mass graves. Then we would return home and continue working,” she adds. 

The Challenges of Climate Change 

Although Kimete acknowledges that the workload and list of responsibilities continue to grow each year, the passion with which she approaches her work often dulls the exhaustion caused by endless hours of labor. However, among the obstacles that slow down or hinder her work are often the effects of climate conditions, despite Krusha e Madhe offering favorable terrain for beekeeping and pepper cultivation.  

For Kimete, continuous rainfall can significantly reduce honey production compared to expectations. 

“In March or April, when the acacia blossoms, sometimes the rain doesn’t stop. The problem is that acacia is the bees’ main source of pollen. If the rain persists, honey production can fail, and you can’t harvest as much as you had planned,” she explains. 

Among other challenges brought by climate change, the 57-year-old mentions the risk of bees not surviving in the winter due to extreme cold. Additionally, she highlights the danger of a single infected bee spreading disease to the entire colony. 

As a solution that would greatly ease her work and minimize these risks, Kimete emphasizes the need for a workshop where she could carry out her work in an enclosed space, protected from rain and extreme temperatures. 

“The main need I can point out is a workshop. For example, when it rains during the pickling season or when preparing ajvar, it becomes a problem. When roasting and peeling peppers, then boiling them in the rain—it’s just not possible. It’s a challenge, even though we try our best,” she says. 

Due to the lack of such a workshop and the constant need to purchase supplies, carrying out her work at home comes with high financial costs. 

“The expenses pile up so much that sometimes I wonder how I’ll cover them all. Starting with beekeeping—beehives, frames, wax, boxes, lids, and so much more,” Kimete lists, explaining that similar costs arise when preparing ajvar. 

“You must buy the peppers, buy firewood, buy oil—everything is expensive. The main challenge is the lack of a workshop because, at least for some equipment, we can manage,” she concludes.

What Can State Institutions Do to Improve Conditions for Women in Agriculture? 

The non-governmental organization *Gruaja Fermere* (The Farmer Woman) from Rahovec, founded in 2006, addresses the challenges faced by women and organizes training sessions and projects aimed at advancing women’s roles and easing the barriers they encounter. 

Muradije Shehu from this organization considers the main obstacles for women to be the lack of marketing opportunities, reliance on imports, the absence of agronomists in the field, and the need for specialized training—particularly in business planning and high-quality cultivation of products. 

“For the challenges posed by climate change, women working in the agricultural sector should collaborate with a municipal agronomist and be properly informed on how to adapt their cultivation practices to climate changes,” says Shehu. 

She also highlights the difficulties women face in accessing and benefiting from agricultural subsidies and financial support, emphasizing that these challenges are closely linked to the lack of land ownership registration in women’s names. 

According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics for 2014, gender distribution in the agricultural economy sector is as follows: There are 6,388 women registered as agricultural property owners, making up only 5% of total owners, compared to 124,048 men, who represent 95%. Meanwhile, family members involved in agricultural economies include 92,630 women and 66,471 men. The total number of individuals in agricultural households is 99,018 women and 190,519 men. 

“The lack of self-confidence among women to negotiate seems to be one of the main reasons for their absence in markets, as well as the lack of knowledge in business plan development,” says Shehu, who also identifies the exclusion of rural women from municipal budget planning as a significant issue. 

As key steps to address the challenges faced by women in agriculture, Shehu suggests increasing municipal lobbying to improve women’s access to inheritance, increasing the budget for women working in agriculture, and establishing advisory offices within municipalities to support women in this sector.

In a World Filled with Chemicals, “99 Lule” Brings Nature into a Bottle 

According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics for 2014, the number of people engaged in agriculture in Kosovo is 130,436, of whom 124,048 are men, while the number of women in the in this sector is 6,388. 

Among these women is Havushe Bunjaku, biologist, who founded the company *99 Lule* (99 Flowers) twelve years ago. This company specializes in the collection and cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants, as well as the production of organic teas, essential oils, and skincare products derived from plants. 

Under Ms. Bunjaku’s leadership, the company gathers over 47 types of medicinal and aromatic plants from a certified organic area spanning more than three hectares in Gollak, while also cultivating nine additional plant varieties in separate, open fields that are organically certified. 

“Most of the medicinal plants we use are harvested from our organically cultivated fields, but we also collaborate with other farmers who help collect additional plants,” she explains.

Over the past 12 years, Bunjaku has expanded the 99 Lule product line to include more than 36 types of certified organic teas, essential oils, wild apple cider vinegar, and plant-based skincare creams. According to her, these products have gained popularity both in the local and international markets, supported by strong retail partnerships in Kosovo and expanding their reach to exports in the Swiss market.

“Our motivation has always been to create an enterprise that supports environmental sustainability and the empowerment of marginalized groups by providing employment and education opportunities for women from rural areas,” says Bunjaku. She emphasizes that the company ensures its plants grow in natural conditions, without the use of pesticides or harmful chemicals.

Despite 99 Lule’s dedication to collecting, drying, processing, and packaging herbal products, climate change—through excessive rainfall and droughts—often disrupts these processes, hindering the company’s normal operations.

Biologist Bunjaku explains that due to climate variations, plants may contain lower levels of active substances, such as essential oils and other health-beneficial compounds. This, in turn, affects the quality of the final products and requires additional efforts to maintain high standards.

“Medicinal plants like mint, rosemary, lavender, and chamomile require specific climate conditions to ensure their quality,” Bunjaku explains.

She adds that temperature fluctuations can slow plant growth and the production of key compounds, negatively impacting the quality of the final product.

Another significant challenge, according to Bunjaku, is the shift in rainfall patterns and prolonged drought periods, which can lead to water shortages for the plants, limiting their development and reducing the yield of essential oils and medicinal substances.

“In some cases, floods or frequent rainfall can damage plants and worsen their quality,” she notes.

Rising temperatures also pose challenges to Bunjaku’s work, as they contribute to the spread of diseases and pests that affect medicinal plants.

According to her, diseases that thrive in humid or hot conditions become more common, requiring more protective measures. This not only increases production costs but can also impact the overall quality of the plants.

To adapt to these changes, 99 Lule has begun investing in sustainable land management techniques and agricultural practices that are more suitable for evolving climate conditions.

“This includes efficient irrigation techniques, planting more climate-resilient varieties, preserving biodiversity to protect plants from climate-related threats, and investing in renewable energy at our processing facility,” Bunjaku explains.

However, the daily challenges of plant damage are not the only difficulties that climate change brings for Havushe Bunjaku, as dealing with them often requires additional financial investments.

“Drought periods have forced us to invest more in irrigation systems, while excessive rainfall has increased the need for plant protection against diseases and pests, leading to higher costs for natural protective substances, which are often more expensive,” she highlights.

Throughout her work, shifts in rainfall distribution, drought periods, and temperature variations have caused delays in the plant growth cycle and a lower yield of active ingredients such as essential oils and medicinal compounds.

She notes that this has affected the overall quantity of products they can offer, leading to limited sales opportunities and increased pressure to meet consumer demand.

Additionally, due to climate change, 99 Lule has had to introduce new plant varieties that better adapt to changing conditions—an adjustment that comes with added costs.

“Climate change has also influenced the demand for certain products. For instance, the prices of some medicinal plant products have fluctuated due to changes in their yield and quality,” she explains, adding that this has made supply planning and management more uncertain, creating unpredictability in sales.

The Impact of Climate Change on Women’s Work in Agriculture

Besim Aliu, Coordinator and Weather Forecaster at the Kosovo Hydrometeorological Institute (IHMK), explains that until a decade ago, farmers in Kosovo were successful in achieving high yields for the two main crops, corn and wheat. However, according to Aliu, in recent years, farmers have faced increasing difficulties, as achieving optimal yields for both crops has become more challenging due to climate change.

“Some plants cannot withstand high temperatures and the lack of rainfall during critical spring and summer periods. This includes leguminous plants of the Fabaceae family, such as beans, peas, soybeans, and several other vegetables,” Aliu explains.

He also highlights temperature fluctuations as another key factor impacting agriculture.

“For example, records show that the average temperature in March has been higher than in April or other months, which negatively affects crops,” Aliu states, adding that another harmful meteorological phenomenon is early frost in September, which causes severe damage to field-grown vegetable crops, leading to significant losses for farmers.

Aliu believes experts should take these changes seriously and focus on identifying and importing more climate-adapted varieties, especially in fruit cultivation.

“In recent years, some coastal plants have begun to be cultivated in Kosovo, adapting due to the changing climate in our region,” he adds.

Regarding climate change, Aliu explains that climate variability negatively affects agriculture by reducing productivity, damaging crops, and increasing production costs. Excessive rainfall can lead to flooding and soil erosion, while droughts disrupt crop production and water supply, increasing reliance on agricultural inputs such as irrigation systems.

Given these developments, Aliu states that women in Kosovo may face greater challenges in coping with and managing climate change impacts.

“Women in the agricultural sector, who often engage in small-scale farming and help manage household economies, are more vulnerable due to their limited financial resources and lack of access to modern technology,” he explains.

Aliu identifies crop losses, damage to agricultural infrastructure (such as greenhouses and irrigation channels), water shortages, declining yields during droughts, increased pest and disease outbreaks due to warmer climates, and higher costs for repairs and preventive measures as the most significant consequences of extreme weather events (such as storms, heavy rainfall, and droughts) for rural farmers.

To improve preparedness and resilience, Aliu emphasizes the importance of meteorological forecasting, stating that it is crucial for agricultural planning, including sowing and harvesting schedules, precautionary measures against extreme weather events, and more efficient water and energy use.

“However, access to timely and comprehensible meteorological information remains a challenge, particularly for women who have fewer opportunities to access technology and training,” Aliu clarifies.

Over the past three years, farmers in Kosovo have reported significant losses due to storm-related floods and prolonged droughts. If current trends continue, Aliu predicts that Kosovo may experience more frequent droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns.

Adaptation measures, according to Aliu, include investments in advanced irrigation and water management systems, cultivating drought-resistant crops, and promoting agricultural diversity. He underscores the importance of training farmers, especially women, in technology and sustainable practices, as well as enhancing climate monitoring and forecasting capacities.

Aliu also stresses the critical role of state support in helping farmers cope with climate change.

“Government support plays a crucial role in financing infrastructure projects, such as the construction of dams and irrigation channels, providing subsidies for climate-resilient seeds and eco-friendly pesticides, and promoting agricultural insurance programs to protect against climate-related losses,” Aliu explains, adding that if this support increases and is better managed, farmers will be better equipped to face climate challenges.

Aliu also highlights limited access to meteorological services, noting that current services do not cover all rural areas. While some NGOs and governmental institutions have implemented pilot projects, he believes training sessions should be led by professionals, ideally in collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine.

The strategic importance of agriculture as a pillar of economic development in Kosovo is emphasized by Professor Imer Rusinovci from the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Pristina.

He underscores the need for well-planned, concrete programs for agricultural development, stating that ensuring food security for consumers should be a national priority and that reducing import dependence must be a key objective.

“The country needs concrete programs, not just multiple so-called strategies created by various NGOs, which are often merely descriptive in nature,” says Rusinovci.

He argues that the suitability of plant varieties and livestock breeds in production zones should be a fundamental principle, aligned with altitude variations and evident climate changes.

What Steps Has the MBPZhR Taken to Support Women in the Agricultural Sector?

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development (MBPZhR) states that as part of its annual support programs, it has implemented affirmative measures for the activities of women farmers.

According to MBPZhR, under Measure 1, “Investments in Physical Assets of Agricultural Holdings,” every woman who meets the eligibility criteria receives an additional 2-5 points. Meanwhile, Measure 7, “Diversification of Farms and Business Development,” provides greater support for women farmers, with additional points ranging from 5 to 10, depending on the sectors/sub-measures.

The ministry highlights that women are predominant beneficiaries in specific agricultural sectors, including greenhouse farming, fruit production, rural tourism development and promotion, free-range poultry farming, and on-farm food processing.

Regarding the damage caused by climate change in Kosovo, MBPZhR confirms that it does not possess precise data on the impact of climate change on the cultivation and productivity of agricultural crops.

“It should be noted that it is already well known to both MBPZhR and all farmers that, in recent years, climate change has had a negative impact on the agricultural sector,” the ministry stated.

Furthermore, the institution has indicated that several initiatives have been launched in collaboration with various projects and MBPZhR to address this issue seriously. These efforts include implementing measures to enhance the adaptability of agricultural cultivation to the effects of climate change.

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This article is supported by the German government and implemented through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH as part of the International Forum on Women, Peace, and Security 2024 – “Civil Society Support Scheme (CSS),” organized by the Office of the President of the Republic of Kosovo. The views and opinions expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect those of GIZ or the Office of the President of the Republic of Kosovo.