Kosovo_NOA_Tech_Assistance_to_MAFRD_FINAL_Report_12-3-12.pdf

Acknowledgements

OCTOBER 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

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF

LABORATORY AND TECHNICAL CAPACITY AT THE

KOSOVO INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE TO SUPPORT

EXTENSION SERVICES IN CROP AND LIVESTOCK

PRODUCTION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to express our sincere thanks to his Excellency Mr. Blerand Stavileci, Minister of MAFRD for the possibility, excellent assistance, open information exchange and hospitality offered at his Ministry during our mission. Without the excellent support from Mr.

Mark Wood, Chief of Party USAID Contractor for New Opportunities for Agriculture, Mr.

Bekim Hoxha, Director of Agriculture Extension Services, Mr. Shaban Dreshaj, Chief of the Advisory Services, Ms. Donjeta Pozhegu, Analyst Economic Analysis, and the excellent translation by Mr. Inan Mahmuti and Mrs. Safete Sadrija, this mission could not have been possible. Thanks also to Mr. Fatmir Selimi, Deputy Chief of Party, USAID, the central and local office of NOA, Tetra Tech ARD (in particular Mrs. Claudia LaLumia and Ms. Pam Doran, respectively) for excellent and friendly organization of the mission. Thanks to all colleagues of MAFRD and NOA and others for hospitality and friendship!

This report was prepared by the New Opportunities for Agriculture project team of Tetra Tech ARD based on a Final Report prepared by:

Mrs. Debbie Joines, Director – Soil, Plant & Pest Center, The University of Tennessee Extension, Nashville, TN, USA

Mr. David Perrin, Program Leader – Agriculture, The University of Tennessee Extension, Knoxville, TN, USA

Dr. Jaap D. Janse, Department of Laboratory Methods and Diagnostics, Dutch General Inspection Service, The Netherlands.

USAID Contact Information:

USAID/Kosovo Office of Economic Growth: Brian Fahey, Senior Agriculture Advisor, bfahey@usaid.gov

Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative: Besa Ilazi, Office of Economic Growth, bilazi@usaid.gov

NOA Contact Information:

Chief of Party: Mark Wood, New Opportunities for Agriculture, Kosovo mwood@noakos.com

Senior Technical Advisor/Manager: Claudia LaLumia, Associate, Tetra Tech ARD, claudia.lalumia@tetratech.com

Prepared for the United States Agency for International Development, USAID Contract Number EDH-I-00-05-00006-00, TO AID-167-TO-11-0000, 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 mailto:bfahey@usaid.gov mailto:bilazi@usaid.gov mailto:mwood@noakos.com mailto:claudia.lalumia@tetratech.com

KOSOVO NEW

OPPORTUNITIES FOR

AGRICULTURE

PROGRAM

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT

OF LABORATORY AND TECHNICAL CAPACITY

AT THE KOSOVO INSTITUTE OF

AGRICULTURE TO SUPPORT EXTENSION

SERVICES IN CROP AND LIVESTOCK

PRODUCTION

OCTOBER 2012

DISCLAIMER

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.

KOSOVO NOA: MAFRD STRENGTHENING ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................... I LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................. III LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................... III ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................ IV EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................... V

1.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

2.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE MISSION AND ACTIVITIES DURING MISSION

2.1 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF MR. PERRIN’S MISSION WERE

2.2 MR. PERRIN PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES TO MEET THOSE

OBJECTIVES

2.3 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF MS. JOINES’ MISSION WERE:

2.4 MS. JOINES PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES TO MEET THOSE

OBJECTIVES:

2.5 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF DR. JANSE’S MISSION WERE:

2.6 DR. JANSE PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES TO MEET THOSE

OBJECTIVES:

3.0 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

3.1 FARMER NEEDS

3.2 AGRIBUSINESS

3.3 EXTENSION AGENTS

3.4 KIA

3.5 KFI

3.6 EUROPEAN UNION STANDARDS PROGRESS

4.0 SPECIFIC OBSERVATIONS

4.1 FARMERS

4.2 AGRIBUSINESS

4.3 EXTENSION ADVISORS

4.4 KOSOVO INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE (KIA)

4.5 KIA DEPARTMENT OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY

4.6 INSTITUTE FOR VITICULTURE AND ENOLOGY (IVE)

4.7 KOSOVO FORESTRY INSTITUTE (KFI)

4.8 FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE (FAUP)

4.9 KOSOVO FOOD AND VETERINARY AGENCY (AVUK)

4.10 KEY STAKEHOLDERS

5.0 GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 EXTENSION

5.2 KIA, IVE, & KFI

5.3 GENERAL

6.0 SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 EXTENSION

6.2 KOSOVO INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE (KIA)

6.3 SOIL FERTILITY AND RELATED CROP PRODUCTION ISSUES

6.4 PLANT TISSUE (LEAF AND PETIOLE) ANALYSIS

6.5 FEED AND FORAGE TESTING

6.6 FEED AND FORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANIMAL NUTRITION ISSUES .. 31

6.7 PLANT PEST AND DISEASE DIAGNOSIS IN RELATION TO EXTENSION AND

PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION

6.8 SEED TESTING

6.9 RESEARCH AND TRAINING

6.10 INTER-RELATIONSHIPS

6.11 INSTITUTE FOR VITICULTURE AND ENOLOGY (IVE)

ii KOSOVO NOA: MAFRD STRENGTHENING ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

6.12 KOSOVO FORESTRY INSTITUTE (KFI)

6.13 HARMONIZATION OF KIA WITH EU, EPPO, AND STANDARDS AND

METHODOLOGIES

7.0 CRITERIA FOR A NATIONAL REFERENCE LABORATORY

8.0 ACTIVITY PLANS AND INVESTMENT SUMMARIES

9.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

10.0 FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS

11.0 LIST OF APPENDIXES

KOSOVO NOA: MAFRD STRENGTHENING ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES iii

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Principal Kosovo Laws of Importance to the Activities Described in this Report

Table 2. Soil Probes

Table 3. Equipment Needed for Distance Diagnostics System

Table 4. Equipment Needed for Complete Distance Diagnostics System with micro-scope

Table 5. Equipment Needed for Soil Analysis and Fertility

Table 6. Fee Schedule for KIA

Table 7. Estimated Consumables Cost: Soil Analysis

Table 8. Estimated Consumables Cost : Forage and Grain Analysis including Plant Tissue Analysis

Table 9. Equipment Needed for Plant Tissue and

Feed Analysis

Table 10. Equipment Needed for Seed Testing

Table 11. Materials Needed for Plant Protection Laboratory

Table 12. Proposal for number of qualified staff to be appointed as foreseen in reorganization/restructuring

Table 13. Activity Plan and Timetable for Repositioning and Restructuring KIA Phytopathology Laboratories

Table 14. Two year plan implementing recommendations, activities and trainings for Agriculture Extension Services

Table 15. Two year plan implementing proposed improvements, activities and trainings for various sections

Table 16. Investment required for Agriculture Extension Services-1

Table 17. Investment Required For Agricultural Extension Services-2

Table 18. Total Project Funding

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Soil Sample Probes

Figure 2. Soil Laboratory Workspace Flow

Figure 3. Forage Test Probe

Figure 4. Example Forage & Feed Test Results

Figure 5. Example Computer Soil Test Recommendations iv KOSOVO NOA: MAFRD STRENGTHENING ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

ACRONYMS AND

ABBREVIATIONS

ARDP Agriculture and Rural Development Plan (2007-2013 and 2009-2013)

AVUK Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency

ATSD Proposed (in this report) new Advisory and Technical (lab) Services Directorate of

MAFRD

BIP Border inspections post

CIHEAM Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranées, Bari, Italy

ECLO European Commission Liaison Office

EPPO European Plant Protection Organization

EU European Union

FAUP Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Pristina, Pristina, Kosovo

IPH Institute of Public Health, Ministry of Public Health, Pristina, Kosovo

IPPC International Plant protection Convention

ISO International Organization for Standardization

ISPM International Phytosanitary Measure

ISTA International Seed Testing Association

IVE Institute for Viticulture and Enology, Rahovec, Kosovo

KFI Kosovo Forestry Institute, Peja, Kosovo

KIA Kosovo Institute of Agriculture

KCLB Kosovo Centre for Livestock breeding, Peja, Kosovo

KFVA Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency, Pristina, Kosovo

KSDP Kosovo Development Strategy Plan

MAFRD Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development

NGO Nongovernmental Organization

NOA New Opportunities for Agriculture

NRL National Reference Laboratory

PRA Pest Risk Assessment

KOSOVO NOA: MAFRD STRENGTHENING ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES v

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Republic of Kosovo lies in the middle of the Balkans, surrounded by mountains. The Republic has a land area of 10,910 square kilometers. Climate is moderate continental with warm summers and cold winters; rainfall ranges from 650 mm to 780 mm. Rainfall fluctuations across country present some challenges with agriculture, especially in non-irrigated regions. Typical farm size is two hectares with one dairy cow and a vegetable garden. Agricultural enterprises of greater acreages exist, such as farms specializing in the production of wheat, tomatoes, peppers, grapes, corn, and fruits, among others. Still, the Kosovo farmer struggles to supply wheat to flour mills in the quantity and type desired. Milk production is low and farmers need education on animal nutrition, forage production, and farm record keeping. Tomato producers with greenhouse operations desire irrigation techniques and disease control methods. Due in part to poor pricing structures and the inability of farmers to supply local markets, many agricultural sources are imported from other countries. This presents the issue of import control regarding adequate inspection procedures and analysis of samples collected. An efficient system of education, training, and analytical support is desperately needed to ensure that Kosovo reaches European Union (EU) compatibility. Actions supporting this system will also help farmers to produce valuable products that will increase the ability to sustain themselves and ensure an income for families. Throughout this document, observations and suggestions will address these actions and provide ideas for achievement.

This report focuses primarily on the developing Agricultural Extension Service (AES), analytical services at the Kosovo Institute of Agriculture (KIA), and relevant EU practices and policies. The relationship of Extension and the University of Pristina and other institutes are also evaluated.

Furthermore, recommendations are provided to assist in training extension personnel, needs at KIA

(to process increased demand due to recommendations provided), and critical definitions regarding plant protection standards building towards EU certification.

Our evaluation team consisted of experts in phytopathology and EU policies, an agricultural

Extension supervisor experienced in training and support of extension agents/advisors, and an

Extension laboratory manager with experience in supplying analytical services to support farmers and

Extension advisors. Together, a set of concise observations and detailed recommendations, including a two-year plan, were developed and are detailed in this report. After weeks of interviews and meetings with stakeholders ranging from farmers to university administrators, the following are observations of interest:

Farmers indicated they wanted education and needed help.

Farmers were somewhat hesitant to change; fearing failure, however, they would try something new on a limited basis.

Some laboratories at KIA are functioning better than others.

There is still much to be done regarding phytopathology and its function toward standardized EU protocols.

A need is present for university assistance in offering coursework to support trained students to serve as future extension advisors.

Other observations were that the AES is off to a good start with 36 municipal advisors and plans to hire additional personnel in the coming year. Although the administrative leadership observed was outstanding, the training, equipment, and communications deserve much improvement and are warranted.

vi KOSOVO NOA: MAFRD STRENGTHENING ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

The KIA serves as an analytical branch to mutually support the Extension service with farmer and advisor needs. The institute also performs border plant inspection analyses. Although low salaries are chronic throughout departments (some working without pay), the seed testing and wine/beverage testing are reasonably well equipped. Classical chemistry and feed testing is fairly equipped; however, some upgrades are recommended. The department with the greatest need is plant pathology, which not only serves the farmer (and Extension) but is also responsible for plant protection. This department is poorly staffed and equipped, thus major recommendations are listed in this report. EU certification will depend greatly upon this department becoming fully functional regarding policies, instrumentation, and procedures required. Overall, KIA needs more samples to help provide work and income to the Institute.

Observations of other institutes, mainly the Institute for Viticulture and Enology (IVE) and the

Kosovo Forestry Institute (KFI), were made; each has promising leadership with good visions.

Leadership at the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Pristina (FAUP) and Kosovo

Food and Veterinary Agency (AVUK) additionally showed an interest and willingness to assist in training of Extension advisors and farmers. This optimism will help tremendously in fulfilling recommendations provided in this report.

In order to reach the goals of this project, our collaborative efforts reveal a list of recommendations for each institute and proposed timetable to carry out each idea. Proximate costs, personnel upgrades, and instrument needs are included within tables throughout the section. It is important to note that our recommendations are extensive (and some critical), therefore suggestions that make the greatest impact quickly are listed below.

Purchase supplies needed (see Table 3) for implementation of distance diagnostics useful for plant disease, insect, and weed identification.

Provide soil sampling probes and materials to each Extension advisor and provide necessary training from KIA staff.

Begin implementation of the Test Demonstration Farm Program (see Appendix 2).

Improve signage (outside and within building) at the KIA to promote an open atmosphere to encourage use and trust by farmers.

Plan and implement two-day training of Extension advisors and plant inspectors at KIA. This training is specifically to teach proper sampling technique and submission of all samples for analysis, including distance diagnostics.

Perform a Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) according to European Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) standards (see Appendixes 28–30).

As noted, the above comments are just a few of the total list of recommendations; however, they can be swiftly implemented. To reach the goals of this project, it is critical to show an immediate response that actions are being made to support Extension services by providing advisors tools that help the farmer. The plant inspector can provide safe (and good-quality) imports by being better educated through services provided by the institute. Thus, good plant protection standards will serve to bring about EU certification.

KOSOVO NOA: MAFRD STRENGTHENING ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION AND

BACKGROUND

This report reflects the results of a mission that was part of an ongoing comprehensive situation analysis and information needs assessment started by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural

Development (MAFRD) in Kosovo, with the support of USAID/Kosovo through the New

Opportunities for Agriculture Program (NOA). The main goals of this activity are to provide action plans for the cooperation and interaction of the new Agricultural Extension Service and the Kosovo

Institute of Agriculture (KIA) and ensure European Union (EU) consistency in recommendations.

This mission was a team effort combining the expertise of Dr. Jaap Janse, Mrs. Debbie Joines, and

Mr. David Perrin. The assignment was designed to follow-up on work previously completed by Dr.

Janse in February 2012 (Janse, Jaap [2012]). His report is titled “Strengthening the Advisory and

Technical Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) by reorganization of its Laboratories”, USIAD, Pristina, February 2012. The present mission also built upon work completed by Dr. Michael Swan (Swan, Michael [2012]) “Strengthening the Advisory

Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD)” in which he outlined job descriptions, training methodology, and example curriculums. Both reports by Janse and

Swan detailed the need for trained students in future Extension agent roles. Our team realizes the importance of MAFRD to work with faculty at the University of Pristina to further develop and support a degree program to suit this purpose.

In keeping with many of the recommendations emanating from the above mentioned reports, MAFRD is now establishing Kosovo‟s first national Agricultural Extension Service (AES). MAFRD and local municipalities have signed memorandums of agreement which will result in the transfer of approximately 37 municipal advisors to a new national extension service in 2013. Future plans are to expand the number of advisors from 60 to 70. These agents will stay in the municipalities but report to a director at the national level. MAFRD is also enhancing and strengthening the human capacity at

KIA to further utilize technical services for the extension service to support Kosovo agriculture. One action plan in particular is for Extension is to implement a Test Demonstration Farm Program.

The goal of the present assignment is to provide MAFRD with recommendations and a detailed plan for the development at KIA of the capability to conduct various analyses (soil and fertility testing, feed and feed ingredient testing, seed testing and phytopathology diagnostics) on behalf of farmers, advisors and inspectors; and to design the system (policies and procedures) needed for these services to be delivered via the new agricultural extension service while incorporating EU compatibility.

During this assignment, visits were made to individual farmers, Extension Advisors, agri-businesses, the KIA at Peja, the Institute of Viticulture and Enology (IVE) at Rahovec, Kosovo Forestry Institute

(KFI) in Peja, Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency (AVUK), and the University of Pristina. The objectives of these visits were to:

Assess institutional capability and capacity, and evaluate how the various laboratories and institutions might support the proposed work of KIA.

Evaluate needed improvements and investments.

Determine what type of support producers require of KIA.

Determine the analytical services of highest priority for Kosovo agriculture and how to harmonize with EU and EPPO legislation, standards and methodologies.

2 KOSOVO NOA: MAFRD STRENGTHENING ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

Gather information required to establish a system to link farmers, the extension service and KIA to enable delivery of necessary services.

The main body of this report focuses on findings of this needs assessment and lists recommendations and specific action plans for the national extension service and KIA. It builds upon the results of Dr.

Jaap Janse‟s earlier mission to support the MAFRD‟s Agricultural Advisory Services and strengthen and functionalize the agricultural institutes belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and

Rural Development (MAFRD). These activities will realign the agricultural institutes more closely to the Ministry‟s current extension strategy and priorities, by 1) integrating them to improve delivery of modern technology and technological services to their clients (field advisors, producers, agribusiness and inspection services); 2) improve diagnostic services, applied research and demonstration techniques in support of their main advisory and diagnostic roles;3) assure that new laboratory provisions and activities will be harmonized and become consistent with EU and EPPO best practices, policies and requirements. This will ensure that work undertaken will be consistent with and supportive of work planned for EU support (Twinning project granted, 2 million, starts 2014). EU compatibility will lead to 1) greater responsibility to deliver technology and technical (laboratory) services to extension advisors, producers and plant quarantine personnel and 2) enhance concentration on state of the art diagnostic services, applied research and demonstration/training.

Additionally, a re-assessment was made of KIA and, and to a lesser extent, of the Forestry Institute, concentrating on phytopathology matters and furthermore supporting our belief in the integral evaluation of and recommendations for KIA.

The outcome is a set of general and specific observations and recommendations. They are similar to those earlier formulated for KIA, but are more detailed, containing an action plan to introduce a state-of-the-art molecular method (real-time PCR) into the KIA Phytopathology Department and implementation of distance diagnostics. Through these recommendations and action plans KIA diagnostic laboratory services will be better able to serve their clients, including the Ministry.

Moreover it urges 1) MAFRD to reposition inspection services in order to increase concerted actions of inspection, sampling, monitoring and surveying and 2) Positioning of KIA as national reference

Laboratory (NRL). An Activity Plan and timetable (Table 14) for carrying out these changes is provided. Also included are recommendations for the EU Twinning project to provide support for the

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) in increasing capacities of extension and technical services for the implementation of agricultural policies (including veterinary and plant health) in the MAFRD that was granted in 2012 (2.2 million) and will become effective in early 2014.

To put our recommendations into context, the reader is requested to note the details regarding Kosovo agriculture in Dr. Jaap Janse‟s report “Strengthening the Advisory and Technical Services of the

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) by reorganization of its

Laboratories”, USAID, Pristina, February 2012. The legal framework is mentioned in Table 1.

Table 1. Principal Kosovo Laws of Importance to the Activities Described in this Report

Law Status

Law on agriculture inspection No. 03/L-029, promulgated by Decree No. DL065-2008 on 13 December 2008

In operation

Law on Protection of Plant Products, No. 03/L-042 07, promulgated by Decree No. DL-061-2008 on 27 November 2008

In operation

Law on Plant Protection in Kosovo, No. 02/L-95, promulgated by UNMIK Regulation 2007/6 on 31 January 2007

In amendment and now in procedure to be approved, in this law a list of quarantine organisms will be included

Law on Veterinary, No. 2004/21, promulgated by UNMIK Regulation No 2004/28 on 30 July 2004

In operation

Law on Genetically Modified Organisms, No. 03/L-028 (Passed first reading in the assembly on 29 February 2008)

In operation

KOSOVO NOA: MAFRD STRENGTHENING ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES 3

2.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE

MISSION AND

ACTIVITIES DURING

MISSION

This mission was part of a comprehensive situation analysis and information needs assessment started by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) in Kosovo, with the support of USAID/Kosovo through the New Opportunities for Agriculture Program (NOA), to support the development of the field extension capacity of MAFRD‟s Agricultural Advisory Services and strengthen and functionalize the agricultural institutes belonging to MAFRD.

The mission was requested by Mr. Greg Vaut, former Senior Technical Advisor to the Minister

(MAFRD), via NOA and USAID in July 2012 and organized through Tetra Tech ARD‟s home office and the NOA program office in Kosovo (Ms. Claudia LaLumia and Mr. Mark Wood, respectively).

The terms of reference (TOR) for this mission can be found in Appendix 15. An itinerary with institutions visited and persons met is provided in Appendix 16.

The present mission was a team effort including Ms. Debbie Joines, Mr. David Perrin and Dr. Jaap

Janse. Each team member had different responsibilities during the mission, and on some days traveled in separate delegations. Ms. Joines and Mr. Perrin‟s mission spanned from October 7 to October 25.

Dr. Janse‟s mission spanned from October 17 to October 25.

During the mission full, excellent, and indispensable support was received from Mr. Bekim Hoxha, Director Agricultural Extension Service; Mr. Shaban Dreshaj, Chief of Extension Advisory Services;

and Ms. Donjeta Pozhegu, Analyst for MAFRD Economic Analysis Department. Moreover, chiefs of the different sectors at KIA provided full support during analysis of their departments. The Directors of IVE, KFI and AVUK supported our efforts by providing data on their institutes and the dean of

FAUP offered his support.

The overall goal of this mission was 1) to provide MAFRD with European Union (EU) consistent recommendations and a detailed plan for the development at KIA of the capability to conduct various analyses (soil and fertility testing, feed and feed ingredient testing, seed testing, and phytopathology diagnostics and applied research) on behalf of farmers; and 2) design a system (policies and procedures) needed for these services to be delivered via the new agricultural extension service.

2.1 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF MR. PERRIN’S MISSION WERE

1. Conduct needs assessments with key stakeholders to determine the analytical services of highest priority for Kosovo agriculture. Stakeholders included:

A. Leading agricultural producers

B. Agricultural faculty from the University of Pristina

C. Agricultural extension personnel

D. MAFRD technical personnel

4 KOSOVO NOA: MAFRD STRENGTHENING ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

E. Agri-input and food industry representatives

2. Develop the information required to establish a system linking farmers to the extension service and KIA.

3. A two year work plan for implementation of the proposed changes and improvements at KIA and in the new extension service.

4. Recommended training for the extension service staff.

2.2 MR. PERRIN PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES TO

MEET THOSE OBJECTIVES.

1. Farm visits were made to interview individual farmers in a one-on-one setting. Specific farmers visited are outlined in the itinerary located in Appendix 16.

2. A number of agri-input dealers and agri-businesses were visited to obtain their ideas on extension advisory services and KIA and to determine how extension and KIA could support their operations.

3. Extension advisors were interviewed separately and a focus group meeting with extension advisors was conducted to determine advisors understanding and perception of how extension would operate, determine what support and training they needed and get their ideas on how extension and KIA should cooperate. Advisors were also questioned to determine the most effective delivery methods for extension programming.

4. Meetings were held with the staff at KIA and IVE

5. A meeting was held with the director of AVUK

6. A meeting was held with the Dean at the University of Pristina

7. Meetings and interviews were held with MAFRD personnel, USAID and NOA personnel

8. Team collaboration was done daily to integrate findings and advice of colleagues.

9. Reported to all relevant parties and Ministerial Departments

2.3 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF MS. JOINES’ MISSION WERE:

1. Visit the Kosovo Institute of Agriculture, interview its staff and programs, and inspect its facilities to assess the available capabilities and capacities and to evaluate needed improvements and investments.

2. Visit the Institute for Vineyards and Enology and determine what support it will require from KIA for wine and grape producers.

3. Visit the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Pristina, the Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency

(AVUK) and various private laboratories to assess their capabilities and evaluate how they might support the proposed work of KIA

4. Prepare a detailed plan for the development of the proposed services including:

A. Recommendations for the development of the proposed capabilities at KIA including new investments (facilities and equipment, staffing, and other improvements, with equipment lists and specifications where relevant).

B. Operating parameters and procedures for the KIA laboratories to meet the estimated requirements for such services.

KOSOVO NOA: MAFRD STRENGTHENING ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES 5

C. A two year work plan for implementation of the proposed changes and improvements at KIA and in the new extension service.

D. Recommended training for KIA staff.

E. Recommendations regarding the eventual development of a fee-for-service structure for beneficiaries to begin to support part of the cost of the KIA services.

F. Recommendations regarding how KIA and the AES should interact with and support private sector service providers where appropriate.

2.4 MS. JOINES PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES TO

MEET THOSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Conducted meetings and interviews with all the staff at KIA

2. Interviewed target client groups with KIA staff

3. Reviewed all procedures, records and operating policies related to soil testing, seed testing, feed testing and plant pathology at KIA

4. Collaborated with Dr. Janse for all procedures and methodology at KIA, IVE and KFI and with

Mr. Perrin on linking KIA to new extension service and farmers.

5. Held meetings with the staff at IVE and KFI

6. Held a meeting with the director of AVUK

7. Held a meeting with the Dean at the University of Pristina

8. Held meetings with MAFRD personnel

9. Held meetings and interviews with USAID and NOA personnel

10. Reported to all relevant parties and Ministerial Departments

2.5 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF DR. JANSE’S MISSION WERE:

1. Safeguard that new laboratory provisions and activities will be substantially harmonized and consistent with EU best practices, policies and requirements for related work, including surveying and diagnostics of (quarantine) diseases.

2. Ensure that the work to be undertaken will be consistent with and supportive of the work planned for EU support (Twinning project granted $2 million, starts 2014).

3. Develop an action plan and, if possible, an estimated budget for MAFRD‟s consideration and implementation.

2.6 DR. JANSE PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES TO

MEET THOSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Review of KIA relevant departments and discussion with its key staff, and supportive discussions at (KFI)

2. Meeting with the dean of the University of Pristina (FAUP)

3. Meetings with MAFRD personnel

4. Contact was made with the European Plant Protection Organization (EPPO – Paris, France) secretariat, Vice-director Dr. F. Petter, to discuss the possibility for Kosovo Plant Health within

6 KOSOVO NOA: MAFRD STRENGTHENING ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

MAFRD to join EPPO and to have Plant Health and KIA staff represented in EPPO (expert) panels

5. Contact was made with the RTA of Kos-Agri, Mr. Fabrizio Contento, in order to urge him to consider a restart of the suspended Kos-Agri project that oversees the refurbishment, purchase of equipment and training of KIA staff especially in the field of Phytopathology.

6. Contact was made with Ms. Michaela Picher, RTA in the EU-ARDP project, to safeguard timely contact with the EU office in Pristina and to harmonize proposals of this report with the activities

(especially training of diagnostic staff and inspectors) as foreseen in the granted $2.2 million EU

Twinning project entitled - Support for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural

Development (MAFRD) in increasing capacities of extension and technical services for the implementation of agricultural policies (including veterinary and plant health) in the MAFRD.

7. Contact was made with Ms. Lumta Dida MSc of Swiss Inter-cooperation to investigate possibilities of her input for restructuring of the Department of Phytopathology. She is one of the few researchers that recently performed actual research on (virus) diseases in Kosovo (see

Appendix 32 for publication).

8. Team collaboration with Joines and Perrin to integrate findings and advice of all partners.

9. Meetings and interviews with USAID and NOA personnel

10. Reporting to all relevant parties and Ministerial Departments

One activity performed by Dr. Janse and Ms. Joines was in the form of a request to all senior staff at

KIA to provide them with a list of equipment and consumables required by their departments. All departments cooperated and provided information to the best of their ability.

This report includes a summary of our findings found in general and specific observations. We conducted team collaboration to provide optimum, realistic action plans for KIA and the Kosovo

Agricultural Extension Service. Action plans developed will provide KIA and the Extension Service activities that begin immediately and will take one to five years to implement. After this visit and report, additional work will be required with future missions to help direct and guide the work of KIA and the Extension Service. However, the guidelines and principles outlined in this report will provide an excellent road map for these two institutions to cooperate and assist farmers with their agricultural educational needs.

KOSOVO NOA: MAFRD STRENGTHENING ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES 7

3.0 GENERAL

OBSERVATIONS

As the mission unfolded it became quite clear that farmers had many concerns and issues about agriculture along with agri-business representatives. Many of those issues can be addressed by education which matches perfectly with the mission of the new Agriculture Extension Service in

Kosovo. However, we also determined that Extension Advisors will need substantial guidance and training to become true educators. Their new roles as Extension Advisors are quite different than their previous roles in the municipalities. They will need elementary first step procedures enabling them quick success and confidence as they attempt to fill this new role and responsibility. Farmers were afraid to try new things and extension advisors were not certain what to do for professional development. We also learned that advisors did not know how to proceed when they were asked a question they could not answer. The staff at KIA will need to play an integral part of this education process and support Agriculture Extension by providing analyses, recommendations and training for

Extension advisors and farmers. The faculty at the University of Pristina can also support the education and research effort. Discussions with the Dean of the university confirmed that Extension and KIA had his support.

After conducting many interviews and meetings with all stakeholders, we have summarized the following observations and grouped them by category. They are:

3.1 FARMER NEEDS

1. Technical skills and abilities need improvement

2. Machinery should be updated

3. Production and storage farm facilities need improvement

4. Greater variety of inputs (e.g., fertilizer)

5. Sufficient financial means

6. Improved record keeping

7. Utilization of analysis

8. Utilization of new technologies

9. Are afraid of failure, therefore not using new technologies

10. Desire Education

11. Improved profitability

12. Indicate they would participate in field demonstrations

13. Indicate support of testing

3.2 AGRIBUSINESS

1. Would utilize research and testing opportunities of KIA and the University

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2. Need to expand and improve the array and variety of agricultural production inputs available for purchase by farmers

3. Need agricultural education

4. Would cooperate with Extension and KIA

5. Want to purchase local products

6. Supports role of Extension

3.3 EXTENSION AGENTS

1. Majority seemed ready to accept challenge

2. Wanted to concentrate on role of extension advisory services

3. Indicated KIA was integral and important

4. Previous job responsibilities included items other than advisory role so they need guidance and direction on how to function as extension advisors

5. Advisors need tools for proper job performance provided

A. Computers, software utilization, transportation, budget

6. Training provided for:

A. Planning

B. Implementation

C. Evaluation

D. Reporting

7. They need full and complete understanding of what an extension adviser does

8. They need specific training on functions of KIA

9. They need training to learn new skills related to subject matter and sampling procedures

3.4 KIA

1. First impression upon arrival- closed to public and not open to interaction with farmers/advisors

2. Attitude and willingness of current administrators regarding restructuring of KIA and extension services is promising

3. KIA laboratories differed in capability and instrumentation regarding analytical services

4. Personnel, for the most part, understood importance of information provided by KIA and expressed willingness to make changes

5. Staff working hard and dedicated however some without pay-This is not good!

6. Need for maintenance of current instrumentation/equipment and utilization of newer, more productive instrumentation

7. The physical structure housing laboratories is in strong need of renovation and better organization

8. Fees are charged however funds are not being circulated back to KIA

9. Duplication of services in some cases in other institutes

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10. Weak leadership

11. Poor communication among laboratories and other institutes

12. Mistrust regarding inspectors

13. Stakeholders are willing to work with Extension advisors and express interest in services provided by KIA (although some have their own advisors)

14. Widespread frustration on current policy regarding quality of imports and assigned costs

15. KIA staff indicated that MAFRD had budgeted 280,000 Euro for KIA in 2013

16. Infrastructure of KIA and KFI insufficient for plant health diagnostic services and lab safety.

17. Analytic and seed departments have motivated, competent staff with dedication, vision and working hard, serving farmers and industry

18. Senior staff at KIA has visionary ideas and plans

19. KIA Phytopathology Department is still severely understaffed and under budgeted for its role.

20. The infrastructure of the laboratories is still insufficient (especially in respect of laboratory quality, safety and quarantine).

21. Four disciplines (Virology, Entomology, Nematology and Molecular Biology) are completely missing, Mycology and Bacteriology are still joined and have relatively few samples and few

(outdated) methodologies for testing. This is a point of great concern.

22. The department of Phytopathology employs unpaid staff

23. The unpaid staff is quite dedicated and is mainly responsible for the credibility of this department.

It is very counterproductive because it stops donors from investing, as the reasoning is that money is wasted for staff that will disappear soon.

24. Strong, visionary and competent leadership with English speaking expertise in the plant pathology department is still largely missing.

25. Other institutes, IVE, AVUK, KFI, FAUP are generally willing to support and seek KIA

3.5 KFI

1. Director of KFI has visionary and concrete plans for future establishment of state of the art labs! –

Very positive!

3.6 EUROPEAN UNION STANDARDS PROGRESS

1. EU Twinning project „Support for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development

(MAFRD) in increasing capacities of extension and technical services for the implementation of agricultural policies (including veterinary and plant health) in the MAFRD‟ granted with 2.2 million Euro, to start in 2014

2. KFI and KIA Pathology Department have still little awareness of harmonization with EU, quarantine, NRL position, lab quality and safety systems and proficiency and ring tests

3. The phytopathology department has very little awareness of harmonization with EU regulations

(Directives), EU standard methods and quarantine (in general and quarantine regulations in laboratories and for control purposes). Furthermore the notions of a position as national reference

Laboratory (NRL) for Plant Health, of lab quality; and required safety systems, participation in ring tests and proficiency tests is still virtually absent. The department head had not read the Janse

February 2012 report, which made discussions with him less productive.

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4. The Department of Phytopathology is poorly or not at all represented in international plant health organizations/working groups/meetings such as EPPO.

5. Dept. of Phytopathology is little aware of lab quality systems and possibilities to become (partly) accredited for ISO 17025.

6. The department of Phytopathology has still no investments, skills and equipment in state of the art molecular detection and identification methods required for good laboratory analyses and which have become common practice in EU (statutory) laboratories -

7. In most EU laboratories molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its modern version real-time PCR, in-situ hybridization and sequencing have been implemented for routine diagnosis of many (quarantine) pest and diseases already for many years now. More and more methods are validated and incorporated in EPPO and EU standard protocols and Control

Directives. When Kosovo wants to harmonize with the EU (taken into consideration what has been stated before, rapid introduction and establishment of those molecular methods is a prerequisite.

8. Monitoring and survey activities on (quarantine) pests and diseases as well as pest risk analysis

(PRA) are absent or are performed only at a very limited level (fireblight organism, Erwinia amylovora).

This situation leads to poor services to clients. It‟s also concerning since they are serving the MAFRD policy department and inspection services with data from failing (field) diagnostic activities, monitoring and surveying. Some diagnostics are using outdated methods (example is a fireblight survey being performed, using an outdated ELISA method). The appointment and retention of trained and experienced staff is a severe problem due to:

Weak education system at Agricultural University, Pristina

Low salaries

Lack of incentives for the future

Weak leadership

Revenues of fee based testing activities are not yet available for institutes, and budgets, and expenditures are apparently inflexible: timely procurement of consumable lab materials and competitive salaries are therefore impossible.

In case of an emergency outbreak of a quarantine disease this lack of flexibility in budgeting and spending would lead to insufficient capacity to react by the Government due to lack or too late arrival of consumable lab materials necessary for rapid and reliable diagnosis/identification procedures and response as well as a shortage of trained staff to operate the necessary sophisticated equipment.

FAUP poorly serves institutes: departments often have only very basic facilities and equipment, they are understaffed, and when suitable equipment is present, it is often not in operation.

Although it is true (and a wise decision) that due to lack of sufficient academic staff and education means PhD students are sent abroad and educational programs are only for BSC and MSC levels, still these lower level programs should provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to participate in state of the art scientific research methodology (applied and fundamental). The programs cannot do this adequately at present. This leads to a very poor protection against quarantine pests and diseases at the borders and a deficient knowledge on the (possible) occurrence and distribution of those pests and diseases in Kosovo.

In the EU, but also internationally there is a strong tendency for (statutory) laboratories to become

(partly) accredited for critical (routine) diagnostic and other testing services. The usual official bodies granting accreditation are National Accreditation Bodies recognized by the Government (ISO accreditation), International Seed testing association (ISTA). Through accreditation a quality system

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(and at the same time often safety and quarantine systems) is put into place. Many EU laboratories are now (partly) ISO and also ISTA accredited. Benefits are a better management structure of the laboratory, improvement of equipment use and test results through calibration and use of control samples, better training of staff, and more efficient staff. Part of accreditation is also validation/harmonization of methods used in (EU) laboratories and performance of ring tests and proficiency tests to check the reliability of methods and of the tests performed by a certain laboratory.

Accreditation and validation standards are also part of the activities of EPPO. Furthermore, the use and maintenance of checked reference collections/materials. For requirements of a National Reference

Laboratory, see Chapter 7.0.

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4.0 SPECIFIC

OBSERVATIONS

Significant information was obtained during the interviews and meetings with stakeholders, extension advisors and institute staff. Many questions were asked to determine what the real or perceived issues and problems were. The team found themselves in the role of detective many times. We sought information needed as evidence of how things worked; we attempted to identify the procedures, protocols and practices used thru translation by our in-country support team. We took what was gleaned from all of the conversations and meetings and summarized into these specific observations

4.1 FARMERS

1. Indicated they needed education and wanted help

2. Said that field demonstrations was the best way to learn about new technologies

3. Indicated that extension advisor visits to their farm was the preferred delivery method for extension programs

4. Said they would be willing to try soil testing by KIA and other types of testing if the price was low and results were accurate

5. Said they would try demonstrations on their farm on a small scale

6. Some doubt among stakeholders on ability/education of extension advisors to fulfill specific needs of farmers.

4.2 AGRIBUSINESS

1. Will cooperate with Extension and KIA

2. Wants to purchase local products

3. Will support efforts of Extension

4. Indicated that farmers needed to change farming skills and techniques and education was the only solution.

4.3 EXTENSION ADVISORS

1. Majority seemed ready to accept the challenge of starting a new Extension Service

2. Wanted to concentrate on the role of an extension advisor and was glad not to have other job responsibilities

3. Indicated KIA was integral and important to the success of extension and analysis performed by

KIA would be beneficial to farmers

4. Said they needed support from MAFRD in the form of budgets for equipment, transport budgets and training

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4.4 KOSOVO INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE (KIA)

1. Soil fertility and related crop production issues

A. These services are extremely under- utilized by farmers and extension advisors

B. Cost is prohibitive to most producers

C. Laboratory needs critical renovations to facilities and equipment for optimal analytical services

D. Sample drying capacity and preparation procedure will be major constraint when sample receipts increase

E. Instruments and some equipment are old technology and should be upgraded

F. Extraction methodology seems suitable for the region and extensive verification studies have been done by section chief

G. Safety is an issue as no ventilation of combustibles observed in analysis area

H. Database maintaining sampling results is being used, however not fully realized

I. Staff is underpaid (or not at all) and insufficiently educated/trained

J. Plant tissue analysis is just now being realized and needs promotion especially to viticulture and vegetable producers

2. Feed and feed ingredient analysis and related animal nutrition issues

A. NIR methodology is being utilized for forage and grain analysis however needs newer instrument with expanded capabilities/equations for livestock nutrition (ADF,NDF, minerals, etc.)

B. Classical methods (Kjeldhal, crude fiber, crude fat, etc.) are being utilized to verify some NIR analysis

C. Very few farmers utilize forage/grain analysis as basic to animal nutrition and choose information on experience or advice from agricultural input advisors

D. Very little work done to encourage farmers/stakeholders to use forage/grain analysis as basis for animal nutrition or to verify quality of feed mixed on the farm

E. Sample processing needs to be more streamlined for easier facilitation among laboratories

4.5 KIA DEPARTMENT OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY

1. Plant health diagnostics

A. Need more and separated laboratory space

B. Most equipment is good however some not fully operative or outdated

C. Need more staff and the present staff might be much better utilized if more samples per discipline were received

D. Perception is that inspectors, if they send samples at all, send them to private laboratories for personal dividends

E. Farmers and extension advisors are not aware of this diagnostic service; most samples come from border inspectors

F. National position is weak

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G. Willing to teach farmers, advisors and inspectors and have done so in the past

H. Needs are virologist, entomologist, bacteriologist, nematologist and a molecular biologist

I. Functionality warrants positioning as NRL, but:

i. There are no quarantine facilities (labs, phytotrons, greenhouse) and no reference collections of quarantine organisms

ii. Moreover there is very little or no quality and lab safety…