PFD in Bosnia & Herzegovina

The  1992-1995 war in Bosnia & Herzegovina (BiH) resulted not only in widespread casualties, but also destruction of property, and large-scale population displacements. The war also brought economic ruin to millions. Agricultural production, a major source of livelihood for much of the Bosnian population, was disrupted due to the displacement of 2.5 million people within and outside the country. The war also caused further harm to the economy through damage to factories, a major source of employment for a large percentage of the population.

Today, nearly a decade after the end of the war, true economic recovery has still not come to Bosnia & Herzegovina. While relief activities ended years ago, the population still struggles daily with high levels of poverty and unemployment.

Partners for Development began work in BiH in 1993 at the height of the war with relief and rehabilitation efforts that continued after the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995. PFD’s work at this time focused on assistance to the agricultural sector in order to promote the return of ethnic minorities and to stimulate the economy.

In the years since the war, PFD has transitioned their agricultural efforts from a relief orientation to long-term development. Still working in the agriculturally rich but economically devastated Upper Vrbas region in central Bosnia, Partners for Development has developed an Integrated Agricultural Development Program designed to build market capabilities for local farmers in the field of agriculture.

See map of PFD Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Planned Phase-Out of PFD Program

PFD has been operating in Bosnia & Herzegovina since 1993 developing local capacity in the agricultural sector which was devastated during the war. There have been great improvements in the economy since the end of the war as a degree of stability has returned to the country. PFD is therefore phasing out its program in mid-2009 in order to redirect its resources to its other country offices. 

Lasting Results 

Though PFD is phasing out its active programming in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the agencies created through PFD's programs continue to serve the communities, including the National Quarantine Station and the Indepdendent Farmers Association.  

National Quarantine Station

Construction on the National Quarantine Station, located at the Raca border crossing into Serbia, was completed in early 2009.  Bosnia & Herzegovina is dependent on imports of animals as well as food from animal products.  Due to a lack of standardization in regulations governing animal border inspection and a lack of training for border inspectors, there has been an increased risk of diseased animals being imported into Bosnia & Herzegovina from neighboring countries.  This facility allows for animals and animal products entering and exiting the country to be inspected in accordance with the requirements of the European Union.  PFD provided technical assistance to the State Veterinary Office by developing and publishing ten manuals on border veterinary control.  These manuals and other technical documentation led to the development of strategic plan legislation, regulation, and operational procedures which align with and enforce regional requirements. 

Independent Farmers Association

The Independent Farmers Association (IFA) was established to organize farmers engaged in PFD's credit program and to strengthing local and private agricultural entities in the Upper Verbas region of Central Bosnia.  The Independent Farmers’ Association offers small loans to its members through a commercial partnership arranged by PFD with the locally owned UPI Bank.  The IFA organized farmers for the joint purchasing of inputs and selling of outputs; liaised and and lobbied local policy makers on agriculture related issues; and organized education on production, harvest, marketing and other technical areas such as the growing technology of fruits and vegetables, the trimming of fruit, etc.  Through the IFA, members were also able to cooperate and collaborate with different small and medium enterprises.   It also arranges exclusive buy-off arrangements with commercial agricultural marketing firms that guarantee a minimum price for IFA members’ products. Joint procurements are an opportunity for IFA members to use their collective purchasing power, in this case to buy equipment and animal fodder at reduced prices.  PFD's activities with the IFA also focus on "information exchange" in order to inform clients, individual farmers, various service providers, and small and medium enterprises on latest tenders.  Members of the IFA also received additional agricultural extension services during PFD's active programming, including assistance in establishing raspberry plantations and support throughout the growing season.  As a means of promoting the sustainability of the benefits of such support, PFD developed a manual that identified steps necessary for establishing raspberry plantations as well as identifying and addressing some of the general issues related to harvesting, such as disease.

Past Programs

Agricultural Credit Program

To support the agricultural sector and the government's priority for agricultural development, PFD developed partnerships with four credit institutions to administer agricultural micro-credit.  The agricultural credit program provided micro-loans to over 1,300 beneficiary farmers in the Upper Vrbas region which increased the farmers' market access by expanding their ownership and usage of agricultural machinery.  The micro-loans also benefited other sectors of production, including vegetables and fruits, medicinal and aromatic herbs collection, and land expansion.  The ProCredit Bank, one of PFD's four partners in this project, opened an additional branch in the center of the Upper Vrbas region which allows greater access for farmers and increased service.

Market Access

As part of its efforts to improve market access, PFD supported the collection and purchase of Wild Herb and Natural Products and established linkages between purchasing stations and small firms to sustain the production-market relationship.  PFD's support also provided information on sustainable practices for harvest and for using and coordinating with markets and businesses.

Organized Cultivation

PFD also provided direct support to farmers engaged in raspberry cultivation by providing agricultural micro-credit to support the plantations.  Through this support, farmers were able to produce first-class raspberries, earning a total income of US$39,500.

Integrated Agriculture Development

The Integrated Agriculture Development Program, a multi-year, $8 million dollar program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, addressed problems of poor infrastructure, lack of market linkages and technical support through activities designed to make agricultural extension services, credit, and marketing opportunities more accessible to the local population. One of the key mechanisms for achieving these ends wass the formation of the Independent Farmers’ Association (IFA), a cooperative, multi-ethnic member organization that is financially sustainable and democratically controlled by its dues-paying members, all of whom are local farmers.

Border Inspection Posts

PFD’s newest program in Bosnia & Herzegovina is the Border Inspection Posts project (BIPs), also funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, facilitated the construction of the National Quarantine Station.