CNVP Kosovo continues to support women's and youth producer groups (WYPGs) within the Associations of Private Forest Owners, in order to develop value chain of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Important benefits from this sector, particularly from medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) cultivated on parcels and collected in the mountains, include employment opportunities and additional incomes for rural families. Rural women, including marginalized groups and communities, are increasingly engaged in the collection and cultivation of MAPs.

A business relationship has been created between farmers and Agroprodukt in Istog Municipality. This cooperation has helped WYPGs to increase their areas planted with MAPs.

During 2019, 50 farmer member of WYPGs have been supported with seedlings, including Malva Sylvestris, Centaurea Cijanus, Calendula officinalis, and Multiflors, as well as capacity building/training on the use of new technologies for the cultivation, maintenance, harvesting, collection and drying of herbs. The potential for developing MAPs offers opportunities for increased social integration and rural employment.

The activity has been supported by CNVP Kosovo within the framework of the SIDA-funded project Strengthening Sustainable Private and Decentralized Forestry.