On 16 November 2018, CNVP Kosovo and Junik Municipality organised a round table to analyse the chestnut value chain in the west of Kosovo. Participants included representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (Department of Forestry, Department of Rural Development Policy-Managing Authority (DRD&MA), Kosovo Forestry Agency and Forestry Institute), the Ministry of Local Government Administration, the private sector and the Associations of Private Forest Owners from western Kosovo.

Discussions centred on the chestnut forest and its current condition, as well as the value chain and chestnut cultivation in Kosovo. Preliminary findings of a CNVP study were discussed concerning how to develop policy and opportunities to improve tree management, increase production, introduce technical support to fight disease, and improve the marketing of chestnuts.

Round table recommendations included the need to assess:

1. the actual potential for cultivating chestnut forests in the western region;
2. the requirements to improve knowledge about cultivating, protecting and revitalizing chestnuts;
3. the need for policy reforms to address the demand for improved chestnut forests; and
4. what needs to be done to restore farmers’ interest in chestnut cultivation.

The activity was supported through the Sida-funded project Strengthening Sustainable Private and Decentralised Forests that is being implemented by CNVP Kosovo.