Woman and Youth Producer Groups (WYPGs) in Kosovo are involved in the production and cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs). 

On April 7th, 2020, CNVP Kosovo organized a field visit to the Association of Private Forestry Owners, including WYPG representatives, where they discussed activities and preparation work for sowing MAPs seedlings at their parcels during planting time (spring). The visit took place in the Istog area.

SSPDF project supports these groups by providing them with advisory service on new technics regarding MAPs cultivation, networking among seedling producers and Members of the APFO as well as additional support that ensures seedling quality. In this regard, a supported producer group from the Istog area were visited in order to see the steps they already undertook to prepare their land for seedling cultivation. The visit and the MAP seedling provisions, as well as the overall support provided, were highly appreciated by these people which highlighted that MAPs cultivation is the only opportunity they have as means of generating income. This was seen as an opportunity to promote MAPs organic cultivation, sustainable harvesting methods and income generation of the local community. 

Concurrently, CNVP representatives distributed packages containing protective equipment (masks, gloves) to the members of APFO/WYPG which would help them keep safe from COVID-19 while working.

The visit was organized in the framework of Project Strengthening Sustainable Private and Decentralized Forests (SSPDF) funded by SIDA which is being implemented by CNVP Kosovo.