Besije Koqani

In the village of Moravë, just before you enter Berat, the Koqani family is writing a new chapter in agricultural innovation — one that weaves together ancient olive cultivation with the delicate art of beekeeping. For Besije Koqani and her family of six, farming is more than a livelihood; it's a legacy they're building for future generations.

With a passion for olives and a drive to innovate, Besije and her husband began exploring grafting techniques to enhance the quality and yield of their olive trees. By combining the hardiness of one variety with the disease resistance of another, they created stronger, more resilient trees. But they didn't stop there — they ventured into beekeeping and honey production, discovering a remarkable synergy between their olive orchard and the world of bees.

Yet traditional farming methods held them back. Their old mechanical equipment was time-consuming and physically demanding. Extracting honey from just four frames could take 2-3 hours of exhausting manual labor — a challenge shared by all twelve members of their local beekeeping organization.

Through the project "Inclusion and Economic Empowerment in the Western Balkans", the Koqani family received essential equipment through the IGA grant scheme — including an electric olive harvester and a 20-frame electric honey extractor. The transformation was immediate: what once took hours now takes less than 20 minutes.

"We never imagined that grafting olives and introducing bees to our orchard would complement each other so perfectly," remarked Besije. "It's like nature itself is rewarding us for taking care of it."

The new equipment has made the family more effective and efficient, allowing them to focus on what truly matters — perfecting their craft and sharing their knowledge with the community. With her son and daughter-in-law now working alongside them for over a decade, the farm has become a family enterprise in the truest sense.

"We're not just cultivating olives; we're cultivating a legacy for our children and future generations," Besije stated with pride. Grateful for Help's support in exploring innovative techniques, the Koqani family now stands as a source of inspiration for integrated farming practices throughout their region — proof that when tradition meets innovation, extraordinary things can grow.