Berry_Sector_Technical_Assistance2.pdf

MAY 2012

This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Tetra Tech ARD.

KOSOVO NEW

OPPORTUNITIES FOR

AGRICULTURE PROGRAM

BERRY SECTOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

BLUEBERRY AND RASPBERRY SECTOR

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Prepared for the United States Agency for International Development, USAID Contract Number

EDH-I-00-05-00006-00, TO AID-165-TO-11-00001, Kosovo New Opportunities for Agriculture

Program, under the Rural and Agricultural Incomes with a Sustainable Environment (RAISE Plus)

Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC).

Implemented by:

Tetra Tech ARD

159 Bank St., Suite 300

Burlington, VT 05401

DISCLAIMER

This report was prepared by the New Opportunities for Agriculture project team of Tetra Tech

ARD based on a Final Report prepared by Short Term Technical Advisor, Mr. Richard A. Dale.

The authors’ views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the

United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.

CONTENTS

BACKGROUND 1

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT 2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3

FIELD ACTIVITIES TO ACHIEVE PURPOSES 5

TASK FINDINGS 12

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE ACTIVITY 20

ANNEXES 26

Kosovo Map

List of Stakeholders Visited

Understanding and Controlling Crown Gall in Raspberries

Best Practices in Managing Raspberries

Best Practices in Managing Blueberries

Plants Purchased and Distributed 2012

Enterprise Budget: Raspberry Fresh Market Production

Producer Workshop Power Point Presentations

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 1

BACKGROUND

USAID supports economic growth in Kosovo through programs that strengthen and improve competitiveness of Kosovo agribusinesses, improve the business environment, and encourage local economic development. Accordingly, USAID/Kosovo has awarded

TetraTech ARD the task order for the New Opportunities in Agriculture in Kosovo

Program (NOA). The goal of NOA is to increase economic growth in Kosovo through expanded and environmentally sustainable production and sales of value-added agricultural products by enabling producers and processors to compete regionally and globally.

The commercial berry industry of Kosovo has produced the same products in the same manner as was done in many parts of the former Yugoslavia prior to the end of communism and the breakup of the socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY).

Essentially strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are grown and hand-harvested for bulk process export markets—originally as precooled in tankers or block frozen, and more recently as tray or tunnel frozen for Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) for process markets. A part of this production is collected wild berries such as bilberries (commonly called “blueberries”) and wild strawberries. The other part of this production is hand harvested cultivated berry crops of cultivars that were introduced during the early 1960’s.

During the last two decades--essentially the turbulent period of wars and realignment that has disrupted development in much of the region--the global berry industry has been changing dramatically due to technological advances. Many berry crops--raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries in particular-- are now being harvested by machines. Hand harvest of berry crops for processing will remain marginally competitive for a short while longer in the Balkans only due the low wage expectations of domestic farm labor. As living standards improve and wages rise, farm labor is expected to become scarce and expensive. It might be there will be a handful of larger producers in Kosovo who will be able to transform their farm operations to machine harvest, but those who cannot adapt the new technologies due to terrain, economies of scale, or lack of capital will be left behind.

The high quality fresh berries found in most modern markets around the world represent hand-picked fruit. Berries will be handpicked for fresh markets for the foreseeable future.

Prices paid to producers for quality fresh market berries are several times the prices currently paid for process quality berries, and will support higher wages to attract and sustain harvest labor.

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 2

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

The purpose of this technical assistance assignment was to evaluate and assess the transition of existing berry production and the establishment of new plantings of berries in Kosovo for fresh market export and import substitution. The following are the berry types that were evaluated:

Raspberries

Blueberries

The program is looking to expand and increase berry production in Kosovo and seeks to provide quality technical assistance to increase yields and quality that can meet the demands and standards of the fresh market. Recently, certified disease-free plants were imported and introduced by NOA from the UK and the USA. The primary purpose of this assignment was to provide the program with establishment and production technical assistance, including advice and training for disease and pest control, and recommendation of “next steps” for the development of the Kosovo berry sub-sector to be implemented during the present 2012 season and over the 2013 season to follow.

Of the certified disease-free raspberry plants that were imported from the UK, a very few of the cultivar Polka had been found to exhibit visual symptoms of Crown Gall disease, Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Samples had been sent to a plant disease diagnostic laboratory for examination, testing, and confirmation. Unfortunately, almost all the Polka plants had been planted by stakeholders before the disease in question was discovered.

Another purpose of this assignment was to recommend the best options available to minimize the potential impacts of this disease issue, to provide strategies for remediation of potentially contaminated soils, and provide measures that can be implemented to prevent any potential spread of the disease.

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The natural resources of appropriate soils, water, and climate that favor small fruits production, exists in Kosovo. The best appropriate cultivars of modern small fruits have already been proven in trials and small plantings here. North American highbush blueberries do well under similar conditions in nearby Serbia. Blueberry plantations planted this spring in Kosovo are establishing well. Centrally located, Kosovo is well situated to access European markets. The mild more southerly climate of Kosovo would be expected to enable Kosovo to bring its fresh berry harvest to markets ahead of competing European producers such as Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Continuing lower wage scales would also give Kosovo a competitive edge in this labor intensive industry during the first years of fresh market berry production development.

Addressing this opportunity to strengthen and expand a commercial berry production industry within Kosovo, USAID-NOA during the present year imported and distributed

404,000 plants:

310,000 strawberry plants of recommended fresh-market cultivars

80,000 red raspberry plants of cultivars suitable for fresh markets

14,000 blueberry plants to initiate commercial production in Kosovo

404,000 Total plants imported

Strawberry plants were distributed to existing producers seeking to improve quality and expand production for fresh markets. Raspberry plants were distributed to individual growers currently producing for cold storage processors who have expressed interest in diversifying their businesses to include fresh market distribution. The bulk of the blueberry plants were allotted to two entrepreneurial farm businesses which expressed a committed interest in establishing blueberry production, have the capacity to address a meaningful economy of scale, and which have demonstrated success in their current agricultural enterprises. Smaller allotments were awarded to two established nursery businesses to establish “clean blocks” from which they will be able to harvest tissue for commercial propagation of plants. Various other growers received smaller allotments for trials. Technical assistance is being provided by NOA to enable grantees to use “best practices” to establish productive plantings.

Some loss of raspberry plants has occurred as grantees in some cases have failed to implement, or have been unable to implement fully, the recommendations provided for field preparation and planting. A “strong” winter with very low temperatures and heavy snows cut short the opportunity for fall field preparations. Considerable snow melt, flooding, and long periods of heavy rains this spring have super-saturated soils in many areas delaying or frustrating planting efforts. A one hectare raspberry planting at

Keqekolla revealed sodden fields, poorly cultivated and prepared, with plant losses from resulting root rot estimated to be 25-35%. Other fields, despite the adverse conditions have established well.

Another challenge for the project’s raspberry establishment was the discovery on a few of the imported var. Polka canes of Crown Gall, Agrobacterium tumefaciens. They had been discovered as canes from the last of the pallets containing the cultivar were being distributed. All but one farmer had received and planted their allotments before the

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 4 problem was realized, and a “stop planting” order could be made. An investigation was undertaken to determine the nature and level of the threat to Kosovo farmers, and a plan for remediation and restitution was developed by USAID-NOA and Hargreaves Plant Co.

Ltd (the responsible UK plant nursery that had supplied the plants). Although the parties involved came to the consensus that this incident was a serious failure on the part of the plant nursery and the plant inspection authorities, at the producer level it was considered to be a problem that could be managed with the implementation of “best agricultural practices”. Little or no loss of yield is expected to result from affected plantations, infected soils can be remediated if it becomes necessary using natural and available processes, and the threat to Kosovo’s agricultural industries is believed to be very low.

Farmers who may have received some infected plants have all decided to leave their plants in the ground and monitor the situation. Kosovo’s Food and Veterinary Agency

[AVUK] took possession of unplanted stock and had it destroyed.

Despite the challenges, most of the farms and businesses participating in USAID-NOA berry sector projects have made encouraging progress from a quick program start-up.

This fact is significant, especially for the blueberry and raspberry components, as the pre-productive period required to establish these crops could potentially exceed the life of the mission. We can now hope to realize measurable results in terms of establishment, yield, quality, and ability to market fresh small fruits, In light of these findings, NOA should continue to implement the recommended five point strategy to assist Kosovo in developing a fresh market berry industry for domestic and European markets:

1. Develop in Kosovo a “knowledge base” for fresh market berry production and marketing across the value chain.

2. Initiate North American highbush blueberry production as a new crop for Kosovo.

3. Working with farmers and cold storage processors, transition existing production of strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries to high-value fresh markets.

4. Create necessary access to specialized inputs, technologies, and infrastructure.

5. Support market development and linkages.

All of these activities need to be undertaken simultaneously if a significant outcome is to be realized in the remaining three years of NOA’s mission.

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 5

FIELD ACTIVITIES TO ACHIEVE PURPOSES

CROWN GALL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

Prior to departure, this STTA consultant researched and reviewed the most recent scientific study and recommendations pertaining to the management of raspberry pests and diseases, and in particular Agrobacterium tumefaciens, commonly called “Crown

Gall”. Upon arrival, the STTA consultant was briefed by staff members regarding the present conditions in Kosovo and the current state of the berry sector.

A meeting was convened involving senior NOA staff Martin Wood, COP; Fatmir

Selimi, DCOP; Michael Kimes, Chief Technical Officer; Maxhun Shehaj, Fruit

Production Specialist together with Richard Dale, STTA Small Fruits Specialist to review the raspberry Crown Gall situation and to develop an “incident management plan”. It was agreed that the incident was a serious failure of Hargreaves Plant Co. and the plant inspection authorities, and that reform, remediation, and restitution must be forthcoming. It was also agreed that at the producer level, the incident was a manageable problem and that the threat to Kosovar farmers and production was minimal. NOA would proceed with transparency, making disclosure to affected grantees and stakeholders, USAID, the Kosovo Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development [MAFRD] and the Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency [AVUK].

Subsequent meetings involved all parties, together with representatives of Hargreaves

Plant Co, to determine acceptable resolutions for the problem. AVUK took possession of remaining stocks of unplanted Polka raspberry plants and had them destroyed. MAFRD and AVUK decided to develop standards and protocols for its sanitary plant inspections of imported materials.

Hargreaves Plant Co. will immediately replace the destroyed plants and by spring of 2013 will replace the entire Polka plant order. In addition, Hargreaves agreed to sponsor a training event in the UK for MAFRD/AVUK inspectors and NOA plant nursery managers to better understand plant nursery sanitary procedures and inspection for certification.

They are also willing to discuss support for a Kosovo raspberry producer study tour to

Poland to learn “best practices” for Polka raspberry production.

Presented with an explanation of the disease presence, the nature of the threat, and alternative actions available, all affected producers elected to leave in the ground the potentially infected Polka plants which had already been planted. NOA will assist producers to implement proper “best practices” management. A bulletin, “Understanding and Controlling Crown Gall in Raspberries” was prepared, translated and distributed to affected farmers. In addition, a comprehensive illustrated program regarding identification and control of raspberry diseases, which discussed Crown Gall disease and its prevention and control in detail, was presented to producers as part of a comprehensive raspberry production training program.

Kamenice

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 6

RASPBERRY PLANTING INSPECTIONS

The raspberry fields of Agroproduct (APC), Mr. Avin Shabani, at Podujeva were inspected. He had removed the inappropriate black plastic mulch from the 2ha Polka establishment he planted in 2011. The field has since established well. If weeds can be controlled he should expect a good crop on this field this season. Persistent wet weather has made cultivation difficult and herbicides are not currently being used. The importance of seeding a non-invasive grass in the thoroughfares which can be managed by mowing was stressed. It was opportune that he had a good example of a well-managed lawn in front of his office which I suggested to him should serve as a model for raspberry thoroughfare management. It was also recommended that he use a Mankar glyphosate herbicide walk-behind banding sprayer to maintain a weed free strip at the interface between crop row and thoroughfare. Weeds in the row should be controlled with pre-emergent and/or selective herbicides.

This would eliminate the need for cultivation which would be good practice to avoid wounding roots which might contract crown gall infections. No significant diseases or pests were observed. Yellowing and scorching of some leaves at the base of the plants indicated a mild potassium deficiency. Side dressing 0-0-60 fertilizer at a rate of

50kg/ha before mid-summer would likely correct the problem.

The new 2ha planting established this spring is also establishing well. Although the field is presently reasonably clean, weed germination is rampant and weeds will become a problem in the near future.

This field should not be cultivated as the planting stock is known to have come from the Crown Gall contaminated lot. Cultivation wounds roots and disturbs the soil creating an environment for infection and spread of the disease when the pathogen is present. The same recommendation for weed control was made for a program of non-invasive mown grass thoroughfares, use of a Mankar glyphosate walk-behind sprayer, and application of appropriate herbicides in the row.

The new 0.5 hectare raspberry establishment at Peja, being managed by Skender Pelaj, includes all of the imported varieties: Polka, Autumn Bliss, Tulameen, and Nova. Weeds will be a problem here as this stakeholder will not use chemicals. The field was not well prepared and no round-up pre-plant burn-down was implemented. Although the field was presently fairly clean, weeds are germinating. Nova planted on the far field edge is in particularly rough ground. The grower needs to establish non-invasive sod and mulch as

Mankar Sprayer

APC, Podujeva

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 7 soon as possible. He received Polka from the crown gall infected lot, but he would prefer to keep his plants in the ground and manage the potential problem, rather than destroy and replant.

Bio-Buzmi, Mr. Gege Zefi, a strawberry grower in Ferizaj, has a planted a one hectare

Polka raspberry field. Conditions were extremely wet and soils were saturated; however he has wisely planted on raised beds and the plants appeared to be growing well. Any standing water was in shallow ditches paralleling the plantings in the thoroughfares and he is working to drain off surface water through drainage channels. The plants showed good color and vigor and appear to be establishing well. Presently the field was clean of weeds, but as soon as the field can be worked again, he will want to establish non-invasive grass thoroughfares. If there is good internal drainage in these soils, this field should establish well. An immediate banded application of Ridomil Gold® fungicide might prevent an outbreak of phytopthera root rot. This grower would also benefit from acquisition and use of a Mankar sprayer. Irrigation is in place.

New raspberry plantings of Mr. Shaban Hetemi at Keqekolla included Polka, Autumn

Bliss, Tulameen, and Nova planted in two plots, each approximately 0.5ha in size.

Primocane bearing cultivars are on a 15-20% sloped field above the road and farmstead.

Rows are set out generally across the slope but not on the contour. Row and plant spacing is appropriate. However, the plantings were in a poor condition.

The field had been improperly prepared. There had been no round-up burn-down preceding plowing. It was evident that the field had only been rough plowed leaving large clods of sod, active roots of shrubs, large perennial weeds, and a rampant germination of weed seed. Many of the rootstocks were too deeply planted. The ground was excessively wet from recent heavy rains and inappropriate irrigation scheduling. More than 25% of the rootstocks did not appear to be growing one month after planting. Individual plant roots inspected showed little to no new root growth. Blackened roots revealed a rust-red cambium tissue when scraped with a knife--symptomatic of phytophthera root rot. This

Bio-Buzmi, Ferizaj

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 8 disease is a common pathogen present in the soil which becomes infectious when soils are poorly drained and super-saturated for long periods.

Floricane bearing cultivars were planted on a nearly level field below the road. This field was also excessively wet, poorly prepared, very weedy, and showing heavy plant losses.

Fruiting canes had not been removed by pruning at planting and were budded or flowering, thus robbing strength from root development and stunting new cane growth.

Symptoms of phytophthera were evident on this field as well. Ridomil® should be immediately applied, but it likely cannot be the solution for the long term.

BLUEBERRY PLANTING INSPECTIONS

At Junik, Bujqesi, Mr. Florim Shala prepared an excellent 4ha site. The field was tested to be at pH 5.5, slightly above recommendation; however elemental sulfur was applied prior to planting to adjust the pH downwards. Round-up was used to eradicate established perennial weeds before the field was plowed and fitted. 2.5ha of the field was planted to a combination of two and three year old blueberry rootstocks: northern highbush cultivars Duke, Bluecrop, Elliott, and southern improved highbush cultivar

Legacy. The plant and row spacing is correct and according to recommendation. The irrigation is in place and operational. Sawdust mulch was being applied during the time of my inspection. Plant color and vigor are good and the plants appear to be establishing well. The field is clean of weeds and the stakeholder has plans to establish non-invasive grasses in the thoroughfares.

Mr. Shala intends to plant the remaining 1.5ha he has prepared on this site in the coming year. He has promised each of his15 employees ownership of 0.1 hectare the remaining

1.5ha to be planted to reward their loyalty and to motivate their interest to become educated in blueberry production culture. Mr. Shala is proving to be an excellent stakeholder and cooperator who is implementing our recommendations to the tee.

Bujqesi is a showcase development worthy of a visit from the ambassador.

Mr. Nevruz Malazogu of MOEA near

Gjilan has planted 2.5ha in blueberries on two adjacent sites. His sites were well prepared and laid out and the plants look great. He has seeded grass in the thoroughfares of one site which has established well. It was very wet however, and he has been unable to mow. As soon as the ground dries and he can work the fields again he has plans to mow the first field and seed grass in the thoroughfares of the second field. A new flail mower had recently been delivered to the farm and was still on the shipping pallet.

Weeds are under control in the rows where his people have been hand-weeding and he is mulching heavily with sawdust. MOEA is another candidate to receive a Mankar sprayer to enable maintenance of the row/thoroughfare interface. There was no evidence of pests or disease. New shoot growth on some plants has already exceeded 10cm.

MOEA, Gjilan

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 9

In Deqan, Dredheza, Mr. Xhavit Mulaj, is expanding his fruit plant nursery. He has planted a “clean block” for propagation tissue that includes northern highbush blueberry cultivars Duke, Bluecrop, Elliott, and the southern improved highbush cultivar Legacy.

The planting looks good overall. The field was burned down with Round-up® to some benefit, but he did not get as good of a result as Bujqësi—probably due to timing, weather, formulation, or application. Weeds were well controlled in the rows. They were mulching with sawdust and wood shavings while we were there. No major disease or pest problems were evident. He plans to establish non-invasive sod in the thoroughfares.

Mr. Xhavit Mulaj expressed a desire for training opportunities.

The blueberry propagation bulletin that was a part of my previous STTA report in May

2011 should be translated to

Albanian and provided. He should also be included in the

Hargreaves Plant Co. training event in the UK. Other needs are for a small misting greenhouse for softwood propagation, and a

Mankar sprayer to maintain weeds in the clean-block. There was concern for collapse of a couple of plants that appeared healthy at time of planting. Photos were taken for further investigation. After researching appropriate reference materials and a consultation with

Mr. Dan Hartmann of Hartmann’s Plant Co in Lacota MI, the collapse was determined to be the result of abiotic factors related to shipping stress and not a disease.

STAKEHOLDER TRAININGS

Eight PowerPoint presentations were prepared for this assignment:

1. An Overview of the Raspberry Industry

2. Raspberry Culture and Production

3. Raspberry Insect Pests and Their Control

4. Managing Raspberry Diseases (included an in-depth discussion of Crown Gall)

5. Highbush Blueberry Establishment

6. Highbush Blueberry Nutrition

7. Irrigation Management for Small Fruits

8. Blueberry Pests and Diseases

Two workshop presentations were made to stakeholders to provide trainings for “Best

Practices” for berry production in Kosovo. Each program provided 5 hours of presentation and discussion. The first workshop was conducted in Pristina on 5/30/2012 for raspberry stakeholders with approximately 22 stakeholders participating. Four Power

Point presentations were used: “An Overview of the Raspberry Industry”, “Raspberry

Culture and Production”, “Raspberry Insect Pests and Their Control”, and “Managing

Raspberry Diseases” which included and in-depth discussion of Crown Gall disease.

Dredheza, Deqan

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 10

The second training event was at Bujqësi on 5/31/2012 for blueberry producers with 20 stakeholders attending. Four Power Point presentations were used: “Blueberry

Establishment for Kosovo”, “Irrigation scheduling and management”, “Blueberry

Nutrition”, and “Blueberry Pests and Diseases”. Following the presentations, the stakeholders toured the 2.5ha blueberry plantation recently established by Mr. Florim

Shala.

OTHER FIELD ACTIVITIES

A morning was spent at the Ministry of Agriculture in Pristina with STTA Italian Ag

Economist Mr. Luciano Leonetti and members of the Economics Analysis Unit. The unit is seeking to develop agricultural enterprise economic models that can be useful for planning and extension. Mr. Greg Vaut, of Tetra Tech ARD who serves as Senior

Technical Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, had provided the team with the

“Blueberry Enterprise Budget for Kosovo” prepared as a part of the previous NOA Berry

Sector STTA. Assistance was provided for the unit to understand the sources and formulas used to determine costs and returns as presented in the budget and to discuss how the budget can be useful for planning and extension consulting.

A “Raspberry Enterprise Budget for Kosovo”, in a similar format as the earlier

“Blueberry Enterprise Budget for Kosovo”, was also shared with Mr. Leonetti and the

Analysis Unit to assist their efforts.

Also in response to the Crown Gall incident, a four page, bulleted, “Best Practices for

Managing Raspberries” was prepared. It was determined that although there is no cure for Crown Gall disease, vigorous and otherwise healthy plantings will “grow through” the disease if present with plants exhibiting little to no symptom, yield loss, or early decline.

This bulletin provides a step by step “check-list” for growers to follow enabling the best possible management. A “Best Practices for Managing Blueberries” in similar format was also produced. Both bulletins are being translated and will be disseminated to producer stakeholders.

A return trip was made to Keqekolla and the new raspberry establishment exhibiting symptoms of phytophthera. Mr. Shaban Hetemi had acquired some Ridomil (an appropriate and approved fungicide) according to my recommendation and was requesting guidance as to how to mix and apply. On site it became immediately apparent that this farmer was totally unprepared to be handling pesticides. Although Ridomil is not a highly toxic pesticide requiring extreme precautions to be undertaken by the applicator, handling any pesticide requires at least a minimum of personal protective equipment (PPE): rubber footwear, rubber gloves, long sleeved shirt and pants, rubber mixing apron, head covering, eye protection, respirator or dust mask. It also requires proper mixing tools and utensils, a source of clean water separate from potable sources used for livestock or humans, and a safe mixing site away from animal and human traffic.

Finally, use of pesticides requires an appropriate implement or tool for application--in this case a 12-15 liter back-pack sprayer with a large-droplet fan nozzle, clean, and in good working order.

NOA has a program for informing and training its grantees on the safe use of pesticides, on Integrated Pest Management, and has purchased Personal Protection Equipment [PPE]

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 11 for distribution to all its grantees growing the targeted crops. Unfortunately the trainings for the raspberry growers were the last to be scheduled and will not take place until the second week of June. This visit demonstrated the urgent need for such trainings., and for their continuation through the life of NOA. In the meantime, we insisted that Mr. Hetemi read the entire product label before going any further, and especially those parts regarding dangers and precautions were explained and discussed. He was advised not to proceed with fungicide application until he had received, or purchased for himself, the recommended PPE and appropriate sprayer.

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 12

TASK FINDINGS

The task findings and their implications from the recently completed STTA assignment are best understood with a review of the findings from the feasibility that was done in

August, 2011. The recommended strategy for NOA berry sector development that resulted from those earlier findings is still sound and considerable progress has been made by the project in the implementation of this strategy.

SCALE

As stated in the findings of the previous STTA report from July/August 2011, Kosovo, geographically about the size of the State of Delaware, is a small country with a population of slightly more than 1.8 million people. The Kosovo population is the poorest in Europe with a per capita income of $2,800. 23.6% of the population is employed in agriculture. Although berries is listed 3rd as one of Kosovo’s principal agricultural products among wheat, corn, potatoes, and peppers; agriculture, as it contributes to the domestic economy, accounts for only 12.9% of GDP. Most farms are small, near subsistence, and inefficient. Small plots, lack of mechanization, and lack of technical information impedes growth of the agricultural sector.

The Kosovo berry industry is small relative to neighboring Serbia and other major

European producers. 35 hectares are estimated to be in cultivated berry crops producing an estimated 400 metric tons, most of which is dried, juiced, or frozen as processed bulk products to be exported. An additional 1100 metric tons of berry products are collected wild berries, mostly bilberries (commonly referred to as “blueberries”) and wild strawberries. Most common cultivated berries include strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. The first commercial plantings of North American highbush blueberries in the country —approximately six hectares—were planted in May 2012 and are not expected to crop significantly until 2015. All of the berry crops are harvested by hand, or in the case of wild bilberries, hand raking. Small amounts are sold fresh in local green markets, grocery stores, and urban super markets, often poorly packaged and unrefrigerated.

Serbia was once a major channel for berry products produced in Kosovo, but the current political standoff and subsequent boycott has made this trade difficult. Many routes through the former Yugoslavia to Central and Western European markets are also closed to Kosovo transit.

POTENTIAL

The future for a Kosovo commercial berry industry that could compete regionally, pay good wages to farm labor, offer good returns on investment, create additional jobs in a distribution industry, and contribute to the national economy is in the production of berries for high value fresh markets.

Present production is mainly collection of wild “forest” crops such as bilberries and wild strawberries, or in the cultivation of older domesticated varieties of raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries which continue to be hand-picked for processing. Cold storage processors who are the receivers of these raw berry products have been reporting for several years that the numbers of people collecting wild fruits continues to decline.

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 13

Farmers likewise are recognizing that it is getting increasingly difficult to hire harvesters for their cultivated berry crops. This trend will continue as living standards rise and workers demand higher wages.

At the same time, in major berry production regions of the world the harvest is being mechanized. Already in Canada and the USA nearly 100% of raspberries and blackberries harvested for process utilization are picked with a machine. The same trend is occurring in Europe. Already, Libertas, the largest producer of berries in Serbia employs three self-propelled Korvan berry harvesters in its raspberry operations near Šabac. Machine harvested berries already determine market price offerings for processed berries. Hand picked berries from the Balkan regions or from the former Soviet

Republics in Eastern Europe will only continue to compete marginally until harvest labor will no longer be sustained by the prices paid.

Berries for the fresh market are picked by hand everywhere they are produced in the world. More than leveling the playing field for a potential Kosovo fresh berry industry, this fact tips the immediate situation to the advantage of Kosovo producers. Even as wages will rise, it can be expected that farm wages paid in Kosovo will be below Western standards for some time. Labor expense accounts for more than 50% of the cost of production in the fresh berry industry. This immediate condition will create large competitive margins for Kosovo.

Despite present political difficulties with some of its immediate neighbors, Kosovo is well situated for the long term close to strong markets in Central, Southern, and Western

Europe. Also, because of her mild climate and southerly location relative to competing berry production in Poland, Russia, and the Netherlands, it can be expected that Kosovo berry crops will be early into European fresh markets ahead of most of the competition.

Temperate climate berry crops grow in Kosovo. Even the best new cultivars for fresh markets are proven. The climate, soils, sunlight, and water are right. It is not a question as to whether or not the crop is suitable or can be produced—the questions are how will it be marketed—and is Kosovo able to do what needs to be done to address that market.

PRIORITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT

The project has made an excellent start of implementing the recommended five-point strategy for Kosovo berry sector development. Significant progress has been made towards the identified goals.

Scotland

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 14

1. Build a “Knowledge Base” for Fresh Berry Production and Marketing

The focus of NOA supported berry sector training and informational programs to date has appropriately been for establishment, expansion, and improvement of production. The site visits at Keqekolla that revealed a loss of plants due to lack of experience and poor field preparations, and the inability of Mr. Hetemi to effectively implement an intervention for lack of knowledge and proper equipment, illustrates the immediate need for information, extension services, and stakeholder training.

In February, principal blueberry stakeholders, Mr. Florim Shala of Bujqesi and Mr.

Nevruz Malazogu of MOEA together with Mr. Mike Kimes NOA Chief Technical

Officer(CTO) and Mr. Maxhun Shehaj, NOA Fruit Production Specialist (FPS) travelled to southern Serbia where they participated in a Blueberry Production Training program sponsored by the USAID Serbian Agribusiness Project. Following the training program, the group was able to make several industry visits including a tour of the successful commercial blueberry developments taking place in Arilje. Having inspected the implementation of the two commercial blueberry plantings for which these two NOA stakeholders are now responsible, with awareness of the informed counsel they are receiving from knowledgeable NOA staff members, it is apparent that this training experience is providing real benefits.

An immediate task of the recent STTA consultancy was to provide an understanding of the raspberry rootstock Crown Gall disease incident and its possible impacts. After considerable research, inquiry, and investigation it was determined that although Crown

Gall, A. tumefaciens, can be serious problem for commercial plant nurseries where zero tolerance is demanded for sales of certified disease-free rootstocks, A. tumefaciens is an endemic problem of degrees for commercial production farmers who are able to effectively manage field infections through implementation of “best agricultural practices”. In response, NOA provided individual consultations for affected growers and conducted training programs to enable affected raspberry stakeholder to effectively manage potentially diseased plots.

“Best practices” for raspberry and blueberry management have been developed, are being translated to Albanian and Serbian and will be made available to growers.

Two day-long training events were prepared and provided for raspberry and blueberry stakeholders. Four PowerPoint programs regarding each crop, for a total of eight

PowerPoint programs, were presented and discussed. Topics included:

Industry Overview

Establishment

Irrigation Management

Nutrition

Pest and Disease Management

The raspberry program which took place in Pristina was attended by 22 producers and

MOA officials. A field visit to the new blueberry plantings at Bujqesi was part of the blueberry program that took place at Junik the next day with 20 farmers and MOA officials attending. Both sessions were received with enthusiasm by the participants.

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 15

Training efforts through the present year should continue to focus on establishment and production. The first step towards project success is the establishment of strong vigorous perennial plantings. This can only happen if sites are well managed by well-informed farmers.

2. Initiate Commercial Blueberry Production for Fresh Market

The establishment of commercial North American highbush blueberry production for fresh markets is a high priority for NOA. Kosovo will have several competitive advantages to be able to participate in this rapidly evolving new fruit industry for Europe.

Three years will not be enough time to see a significant amount of Kosovo blueberry crop entering regional markets, but it is enough time to prepare the foundations of an exciting new fruit industry, and produce a “show piece” result that will inspire future investments.

Three Northern Highbush blueberry cultivars were selected for introduction to Kosovo based on their berry qualities and fruiting sequence: Duke, Bluecrop, and Elliott.

Duke, which has an early fruiting habit, and

Bluecrop which fruits in the early-middle picking season, have both established well in nearby southern Serbia. Both are popular fresh market fruits in North American and

European blueberry markets. Elliott, a late fruiting cultivar, is a new introduction to the

Balkan region that is expected to do well here. A fourth blueberry selection that has been included by the NOA Project is Legacy, an Improved Southern Highbush cultivar that is expected to ripen after Bluecrop but ahead of Elliott. Legacy is an attractive fruit with superior flavor and long shelf-life. As a Southern Improved Highbush, Legacy is heat and drought tolerant. Altogether, this blueberry cultivar selection should provide Kosovo growers an extended harvest season of eight to nine weeks.

The Project made a good decision to share the recommended five hectare commercial blueberry development between two capable stakeholders, rather than investing in a single stakeholder. At 2.5 ha each, these establishments are still large enough to be economically viable. However, the smaller size will make each farm more manageable as the responsible farmers become acquainted with the new crop. The stakeholders will have the opportunity to share information and compare results. As the farms are in separate districts of the country, a closer demonstration is now available to more farmers.

The risks of Project failure have been diminished as “all the eggs have not been placed in one basket”.

Both Mr. Nevruz Malazogu of MOEA at Gjilan and Mr. Florim Shala of Bujqesi at Junik near Peja have made excellent starts on well selected sites. To date they have implemented NOA recommendations to the letter. Plants arrived from the Hartmann

Nursery in Michigan USA, in good condition, were planted correctly in a timely manner, and are establishing well. As both sites are well drained, the high moisture condition of the present planting season has been a distinct benefit despite the frustrations of being

Legacy Blueberry http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gardencrossings.com/_ccLib/image/plants/DETA-1315.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gardencrossings.com/plantname/Vaccinium-Arlen-Blueberry&usg=__4DG94_-KuqbuxfzjakOPM36f1uc=&h=300&w=300&sz=20&hl=en&start=0&sig2=d7-eMq0uwsn7YRIvdATQkQ&zoom=1&tbnid=QeDaidIEKblh1M:&tbnh=134&tbnw=140&ei=_G_PT-6INsTm2QWIzfymDA&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=255&vpy=88&dur=3998&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=108&ty=123&sig=104467610785355654672&page=1&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:58

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 16 unable to work the fields at times. Many blueberry plants that had been in the ground for less than four weeks were already showing 10cm of growth. Both stakeholders are energized and express a desire to plant additional area in the future.

A truly novel idea for development is being implemented at the Bujqesi farm. Mr. Shala has an adjacent 1.5 ha field clean and ready for planting. He has made a decision to give each of his 15 employees –all young men 18-30 years old–10 ares of this remaining ground for their own on which to plant blueberries. Mr. Shala will make available the resources of the farm: land, irrigation, tractor, implements, and tools. The employees must cost-share the purchase of their own plants and work their plots on their own time.

All produce from the plots will belong to the employees to market with Bujqesi or as they choose. The result is likely to generate a loyal energized labor force with a desire and the opportunity to learn all they can regarding blueberry culture. This would increase their value to their employer immeasurably and in the long term provide an “apprenticeship” for future Kosovo blueberry farmers.

3. Transition Existing Production of Strawberries, Raspberries, and

Blackberries for Fresh Market by Supporting Cooperating Farmers and

Cold Storage Processors

The strategy to transition the berry production industry from process to fresh markets includes support to existing cold storage processors to work with farmers presently supplying product to their collection sites. NOA will cost share appropriate pack-line equipment and pre-cooler and/or refrigeration upgrades to accommodate fresh market handling of berries. NOA will also provide market research and linkages for cold store operators to be able to enter new markets. Cold Storage processors wanting to plant their own plantations of berries to supplement the volumes they are purchasing from others for fresh markets are eligible for cost-shared plant materials. Rather than creating a parallel industry from scratch, such a plan will take advantage of existing expertise, investment, and production, as well as reduce redundancies and foster cooperation.

The first step for Kosovo to succeed in berry fresh markets is to supplement or replace plantings of older strawberry and bramble varieties with improved fresh market appropriate cultivars. To support this need, NOA this spring imported and distributed

404,000 plants to Kosovo berry sector grantees: 310,000 strawberry, 80,000 raspberry, and 14,000 blueberry. Blueberry root stocks and one variety of raspberry were supplied by Hartmann’s Plant Company of

Lacota, Michigan. The bulk of the raspberry root stocks and all of the strawberry plants were supplied by Hargreave’s Plant Company in the UK. A listing of the combined plant orders identifying the specific cultivars and numbers of each is included in the annexes of this report.

Honeoye Strawberry

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 17

Kosovo strawberry producers now have available for the first time Honeoye, a large, all-red, summer fruiting cultivar that is exceptionally sweet. This cultivar was developed and released by Cornell University at its Geneva station in upstate New York. A heavy producer of high quality fruits, Honeoye is currently a popular cultivar grown for fresh markets world-wide.

Also available in Kosovo for the first time is

Albion, a new day-neutral or “ever bearing” cultivar from California. Albion is the first day-neutral strawberry to be developed to have exceptional fresh market qualities: large size, all red color, consistent conical shape, and excellent flavor. It bears heavily in the early summer and again in the early fall and will extend the strawberry harvest season for

Kosovo growers.

Among raspberry cultivars NOA is supplying for fresh market production in Kosovo are

Polka (pictured on the cover of this report), a recent Polish introduction that is exceptionally large, firm, and early fall-bearing, and

Tulameen, from the Pacific Northwest, a summer bearing raspberry currently considered by many raspberry producers to be the “world standard” for fresh market quality. Both cultivars were introduced to Kosovo by earlier programs and have demonstrated that they will grow well here.

The immediate task in the months ahead is to establish these new berry plantings and bring them into healthy vigorous production.

4. Create Access to Specialized Inputs, Equipment, and Facilities

Constraints to either establishing new berry production for fresh markets, or transitioning existing berry production to fresh markets, will be access to necessary specialized inputs, equipment, and facilities.

Appropriate Planting Materials: NOA has done an excellent job of selecting improved berry cultivars that will be appropriate for fresh markets throughout Europe, and getting them into the hands of select Kosovo producer stakeholders. These first major allotments were provided cost-free to the grantees by the Project to encourage cooperation and fast track the program start-up. A second round of plant purchases will be provided on a

“cost-share” basis to allow those stakeholders demonstrating success to expand their operations and to include additional stakeholders.

To secure a supply of planting materials for the long term, NOA is supporting the modernization and expansion of one or more existing domestic fruit plant nurseries to

Albion Strawberry

Tulameen Raspberry

STTA Report - Richard A. Dale, May 2012 18 become the supplier/s of the future. Presently many farmers have no recourse but to propagate many of their “new” planting stocks from successive plantings in their own fields. With every generation of propagations that that do not issue from the original

“mother plant”, qualities are lost which compromise vigor and yield. Advanced training in nursery techniques is being planned for nursery operators and needed instructional materials are being translated and disseminated for plant nursery use. In addition to methods, nursery operators in Kosovo will be made aware of intellectual property rights and royalty laws as they apply to many newer plant materials.

Chemicals: Appropriate pesticides, especially herbicides for weed control, are necessary for sustainable small fruits production. The recently approved Pesticide Evaluation

Report and Safe Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) were amended since the last STTA consultancy to include some EPA approved pesticides for use on some specified berry crops. The listing of blueberry pest issues and the approval of materials that can be used to help mitigate a variety of potential blueberry production problems was particularly helpful. However, there are still “gaps” in the PERSUAP plan that should be addressed.

Currently nothing is on the PERSUAP list that specifically addresses weeds in raspberries. In the USA, herbicides approved for use on blueberries are in most cases also approved for use in raspberries. It would be helpful to raspberry growers if those herbicides approved by PERSUAP for use on blueberries could also be extended for use on raspberries; in particular Devrinol® (Napropamide) a pre-emergent with efficacy against grasses and limited annual broad leaf weeds, Fusilade® (Fluazifop) a post-emergent for use against grasses, and Callisto® (Mesotrione) a post-emergent that can address broad leaf weeds.

If one or two additional pre-emergent herbicides could be approved for both blueberry and raspberry plantations, a better IPM weed control program could be implemented which would allow a rotation of herbicides to avoid the development of resistance in the target weeds and avoid persistence in soils. Casoron® (dichlobenil) would be an excellent addition. Safe alternatives or additions that could also be considered would be Chateau® (flumioxazin) and Sinbar® (terbacil).

It was also learned, after being told that Galltrol® (Agrobacterium radiobacter k84) could not be used in Kosovo for protection against crown gall (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) in raspberries, that Agrobacterium radiobacter k84 is on the PERSUAP approved list for use in preventing Crown Gall on blueberries. Approval for use of this product should also be extended to raspberries.

Soil Conditioners and Special Fertilizers: The project was able to source elemental sulfur to lower pH for blueberries. Special fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate (again primarily for blueberries) or foliar applied fertilizers or nutrients such as chelated iron will also…