Bootstrapped input efficiency use of specialized potato production in Kosovo

Although Kosovo’s agriculture initiatives have allowed for opportunities to spur vegetable production, little has been done to address how efficient are farmers at using inputs. The state of input efficiency in growing potatoes is examined in the study using farm survey data. There is also a comparison of potato yields as a measure of productivity with different countries in Southeast Europe and with some emphasis on input use. After accounting for suspected bias with the bootstrap input-oriented model, input efficiency ranged from 0.39-0.91 with an average of 0.73. Depending on the farm, a naive model would induce a bias of 0.04-0.17 in input efficiency use. This bias can vary with sample size. Additionally, the findings suggest an encouraging input efficiency advantage for farmers who care about their soil quality as they practice potato production. One policy implication of the results suggests further input use decreases because the sampled farms are found to operate under decreasing returns to scale

Risk factors for occurrence of displaced abomasum and their relation to nutritional management of Holstein dairy cattle

The aim of the present study was to identify nutritional risk factors for the occurrence of displaced abomasum (DA) in Holstein dairy cattle raised in regions with highly variable nutritional management. Feeding program data were collected from 30 dairy farms throughout Kosovo via use of a standardized questionnaire, and an AgriNIR™ Analyser was used to analyze the nutrient composition of forage (hay, corn silage) fed to cattle on those farms. A diagnosis of DA was made via auscultation/percutation in the area of the last rib and hearing of a ping sound. Multivariate linear regression models were used to determine risk factors associated with the incidence of DA. The overall incidence of DA in this study was 4.9% (38 cases among 769 cows). Of cows diagnosed with DA, 81.6% (31/38) had left side DA and 18.4% (7/38) had right side DA. Nearly all DA occurred during the first month of the postpartum period - 92.1% (35/38); only 7.9% (3/38) were observed in the pre-partum period. Risk factors that elevated the occurrence of DA included increased intake of concentrate feed after parturition (P\u3c0.002), increased body condition score at calving (P\u3c0.01), larger herd size (P\u3c0.021), and increased daily consumption of corn silage in the pre-partum transition period (P\u3c0.051). An increase in daily consumption of grass hay in the pre-partum transition period decreased (P\u3c0.014) the incidence of DA. The results of this study are useful for developing enhanced nutritional management protocols to reduce the incidence of DA in Holstein dairy cattle

Factors affecting the technical efficiency of dairy farms in Kosovo

A possible accession into the World Trade Organization (WTO) and an expected membership in the European Union raise significant opportunities and challenges for the agricultural sector in Kosovo. As a result of these changes, the sector will have to improve efficiency and competitiveness. This research is motivated by the need to understand better the forces that drive competitiveness in the Kosovo dairy sector. This study estimates the technical efficiency (TE) of 243 dairy farms in Kosovo and relates TE variation to farm size and other primary determinants of TE. A stochastic frontier production function is estimated using a two-stage procedure. Results reveal that concentrate feed intake, land use per cow, and the number of days cows had been kept on pasture have statistically significant impacts on milk productivity per cow. The mean technical efficiency of dairy farms was estimated at 0.72. The major determinants that increase efficiency are breed improvement, intensification of corn production on the farm, improving concentrate feed intake, and using free-range production systems. Given the results from the technical efficiency analysis, it is crucial for the Government of Kosovo to redesign their dairy policy—specifically their grant investment schemes—and target assistance on improving national herd genetics, promoting free range systems and expanding area planted in corn

Do coupled subsidies increase milk productivity, land use, herd size and income? Evidence from Kosovo

This study assesses the effectiveness of the Subsidy per Head Scheme (SPHS) in increasing milk productivity, land use, herd size and income in dairy farms across the seven regions of Kosovo. SPHS represents one of the largest coupled subsidy programs in the agricultural sector of Kosovo in terms of farmer participation and budget allocation. We use a Propensity Score Matching approach to assess the impact of this program by comparing a group of participants with a group of non-participants during the 2013–2014 farming seasons. We test the robustness of the impact results using four different matching algorithms. Results reveal SPHS was not effective in increasing land use, gross income and farm size (number of cows), although SPHS had a limited impact on improving milk productivity. In addition, the study highlights the need to reformulate coupled subsidies and develop new, complementary strategies that address farmers’ needs more efficiently

Assessing government grants: evidence from greenhouse tomato and pepper farmers in Kosovo

Genetic matching with an evolutionary algorithm was applied to evaluate the impact of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) grant programs to support greenhouse vegetable production in Kosovo. The primary contribution of the paper is to assess whether grants have an impact on the farmers’ gross seasonal revenue after matching similar grantees to non-grantees. The findings showed that greenhouse tomato grantees make 2,151.80 euros more per growing season in comparison to the non-grantees (95 % confidence interval -324.71 to 4,628.31 euros). Similarly, greenhouse pepper grantees make 2,866.69 euros more per growing season compared to non-grantees (95 % confidence interval 446.42 to 5,286.96 euros). The study identified farmers’ education and region as important matching variables which may be of interest to policy researchers in Kosovo.</p

Čimbenici rizika za pojavu dislokacije sirišta i njihova povezanost s uvjetima hranidbe kod mliječnih goveda holštajnske pasmine

The aim of the present study was to identify nutritional risk factors for the occurrence of displaced abomasum (DA) in Holstein dairy cattle raised in regions with highly variable nutritional management. Feeding program data were collected from 30 dairy farms throughout Kosovo via use of a standardized questionnaire, and an AgriNIR™ Analyser was used to analyze the nutrient composition of forage (hay, corn silage) fed to cattle on those farms. A diagnosis of DA was made via auscultation/percutation in the area of the last rib and hearing of a ping sound. Multivariate linear regression models were used to determine risk factors associated with the incidence of DA. The overall incidence of DA in this study was 4.9% (38 cases among 769 cows). Of cows diagnosed with DA, 81.6% (31/38) had left side DA and 18.4% (7/38) had right side DA. Nearly all DA occurred during the first month of the postpartum period - 92.1% (35/38); only 7.9% (3/38) were observed in the pre-partum period. Risk factors that elevated the occurrence of DA included increased intake of concentrate feed after parturition (P<0.002), increased body condition score at calving (P<0.01), larger herd size (P<0.021), and increased daily consumption of corn silage in the pre-partum transition period (P<0.051). An increase in daily consumption of grass hay in the pre-partum transition period decreased (P<0.014) the incidence of DA. The results of this study are useful for developing enhanced nutritional management protocols to reduce the incidence of DA in Holstein dairy cattleCilj istraživanja bio je identificirati čimbenike rizika u hranidbi koji doprinose pojavi dislokacije sirišta (DS) kod mliječnih goveda holštajnske pasmine, uzgajanih u područjima s različitim uvjetima hranidbe. Podatci o programu hranidbe prikupljeni su pomoću standardnog upitnika na 30 farmi za proizvodnju mlijeka širom Kosova, a analiza nutritivnog sastava u krmivima (sijeno, kukuruzna silaža) koja su na tim farmama korištena za hranidbu goveda obavljena je AgriNIR™ analizatorom. Dislokacija sirišta dijagnosticirana je osluškivanjem timpaničnog zvuka, uz primjenu metoda auskultacije/perkusije u području posljednjeg rebra. Modeli multivarijantne linearne regresije korišteni su za određivanje čimbenika rizika koji su povezani s incidencijom dislokacije sirišta. Ukupna incidencija dislokacije sirišta u ovom istraživanju bila je 4,9 % (38 slučajeva od 769 krava). Među kravama s dijagnosticiranom dislokacijom sirišta 81,6 % (31/38) krava imalo je dislokaciju u lijevu stranu, a 18,4 % (7/38) u desnu stranu. Gotovo sve dislokacije (92,1 %; 35/38) dogodile su se tijekom prvog mjeseca nakon teljenja, a samo 7,9 % (3/38) u razdoblju prije teljenja. Čimbenici rizika koji doprinose pojavnosti dislokacije sirišta uključivali su povećani unos koncentriranih krmiva nakon teljenja (P<0,002), višu ocjenu tjelesne kondicije pri teljenju (P<0,01), veću veličinu stada (P<0,021) i povećano dnevno uzimanje kukuruzne silaže u tranzicijskom razdoblju prije teljenja (P<0,051). Povećanje dnevnog uzimanja sijena od trava u tranzicijskom razdoblju prije teljenja doprinijelo je sniženju incidencije dislokacije sirišta (P<0,014). Rezultati ovog istraživanja korisni su za razvijanje boljih protokola u upravljanju hranidbom kojima bi se smanjila incidencija dislokacije sirišta u mliječnih goveda holštajnske pasmine

First serological survey of Neospora caninum infections in dairy cattle and dogs in the Republic of Kosovo

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite that infects cattle, dogs, and other animals, posing a significant concern in livestock production, particularly dairy cattle. Here, we report the first detection and prevalence of N. caninum in Kosovo in dairy cattle and dogs. Blood samples were collected from 300 individual dairy cows located on 30 farms across all seven regions of Kosovo, as well as from 53 dogs, including 29 farm dogs and 24 urban dogs. Sera were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies to N. caninum. Antibodies were detected in cows from 60% of the surveyed farms, with 52 of 300 cows testing positive, resulting in a seroprevalence rate of 17.33% (95% CI: 13.0–21.6%). Among dogs, 4 of 53 were seropositive, yielding a seroprevalence rate of 7.55% (95% CI: 0.4–14.6%). All seropositive dogs resided on farms in close contact with dairy cattle (4 of 29 tested positive, resulting in a 13.79% seroprevalence rate), whereas none of the urban dogs tested positive for N. caninum antibodies. This study is the first to detect N. caninum antibodies in dairy cattle and farm dogs in Kosovo. The observed seroprevalence rates underscore the necessity of enhanced prevention and control measures to mitigate the impact of this parasite on livestock and companion animals.This article is published as Behluli, B., Xhekaj, B., Fetahaj, L., Rugovaj, R., Rexhepi, A., Youngs, C. R., Musliu, A., Krasniqi, X., and Sherifi, K. 2025. First serological survey of Neospora caninum infections in dairy cattle and dogs in the Republic of Kosovo. Ger. J. Vet. Res. 5 (1): 113-117. https://doi.org/10.51585/gjvr.2025.1.012

Impact of MAPs on improving the socio-economic situation of rural families in Kosovo

he medicinal and aromatic plants sector is considered a very important sector for the economy of Kosovo since it can provide employment, income, and export growth. Based on this, we assess the impact of the subsidy schemes from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development (MAFRD) using a&#x0D; propensity score matching improving the farmers' gross income. The main purpose of the study was to assess whether subsidy schemes have an impact on the farmer's gross income by using a propensity score matching model to match beneficiaries to non-beneficiaries. Results showed that beneficiaries of subsidy schemes make 3,682.09 Euros more per year than non-beneficiaries (95% confidence interval 2,349.9 Euros to 5,012.90 Euros). Using logistic regression, we found that subsidy schemes, market prices, and reductions of unfair competition are the three most important factors affecting farmers' decisions to collect and cultivate MAPs.</jats:p

Hybridizing constraint programming and meta-heuristics for multi-mode resource-constrained multiple projects scheduling Problem

The Multi-Mode Resource-Constrained Multiple Projects Scheduling Problem (MMRCMPSP) is an important combinatorial optimization problem for both real-world situations in industry and academic research. Its objective is to find the best schedule for activities across multiple projects that can be executed in different modes. The schedule must consider shared resource availability and satisfy precedence and time constraints. To tackle this problem, we propose a hybrid approach that combines constraint programming (CP) with meta-heuristic algorithms. We introduce and assess a CP model that incorporates all MMRCMPSP constraints. By leveraging the strengths of CP and meta-heuristics, our approach yields new upper bounds for various MMRCMPSP benchmark instances. Additionally, we evaluate our method using existing benchmark instances for single-project scheduling problems with multiple modes and provide improved solutions for many of them