Montenegro - Helping farmers grow (Anglais)

This Results Profile focuses on a story about successful farming from Vucko and Milijanka Pesic. 70 percent of Montenegro's rural people live off the land. Most own small farms, and though the country has plenty of water and land, and a good growing climate...  Voir la suite This Results Profile focuses on a story about successful farming from Vucko and Milijanka Pesic. 70 percent of Montenegro's rural people live off the land. Most own small farms, and though the country has plenty of water and land, and a good growing climate, money to invest, improve, and raise agricultural production is scarce. For several years, the Pesic family ate everything it grew, made and raised. And they struggled with farm life, until Pesic's mother taught her daughter-in-law how to make cheese, using a special family recipe passed down for generations. A breakthrough year Then, in 2007, Pesic managed to market the cheese to a local restaurant. Pesic turned to a program in Montenegro that offers small grants to small farmers supported by the World Bank. Farmers have to contribute 50 percent of the investment, and they must present a business plan that outlines sustainable growth and increased production. The grant program offered them almost 9,500 euros and the Pesics kicked in the rest, for a total of almost 19,000 euros in basic improvement and upgrades. With the money, the Pesics invested in crucial equipment and 5 more cows for milk for their cheese. The family has gone from poor laborers in town to successful farmers running their own company. Driven by demand, a delicious product, and a grant that let them expand when they needed it most, they represent a new kind of business-oriented farmer in Montenegro's rural north.  Réduire