No abstract

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 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.

The health of dairy cows is an important factor affecting the profitability of dairy farms worldwide, and lameness is regarded as one of the most costly dairy cattle diseases. The aim of this study was to estimate the economic cost of cow lameness among Kosovo dairy farms. Data collected from 56 dairy farms were analysed with a farm-level stochastic (Monte Carlo) simulation model to estimate the cost of lameness. Lameness-associated sources of economic loss examined within the model included: reduced milk production, treatment cost, discarded milk, reduced cow body weight, and premature culling. Results showed that prevalence of lameness among cows on Kosovo dairy farms ranged from 17% to 39%. The average annual cost of lameness was estimated at €338.57 per farm (or €46.25 per cow). Reduced milk production was the largest financial contribution to the cost of lameness (45% of total economic loss) followed by premature culling (31% of total economic loss). Discarded milk, reduced cow body weight, and cost of treatment each contributed approximately 8% to the total economic loss. These findings indicate that dairy farmers need to be more cognizant of the financial losses associated with lameness and should be encouraged to implement management strategies to reduce lameness as a means of enhancing farm profitability.