Kodra Family

For generations, the Kodra family has cultivated vineyards and olive groves in Zall-Herr, Tirana — a heritage built on dedication and deep connection to the land. However, their farming operations were constrained by outdated equipment and exhausting manual labor that made every task a test of endurance.

Land preparation required backbreaking effort without proper tools. Transporting harvested grapes and olives was inefficient and time-consuming. Managing weeds and maintaining their crops demanded hours of labor-intensive work, limiting their ability to maximize production and putting financial pressure on the family.

Through the project "Inclusion and Economic Empowerment in the Western Balkans", the Kodra family received vital farming equipment through the IGA grant scheme — including a tiller for land preparation, a trailer for transportation, and corded and disc grass trimmers for maintenance. These tools revolutionized their daily operations, turning days of exhausting work into just a few hours of efficient farming.

"Having the right tools has changed a lot of things for us," they explained. "What used to take days of back-breaking work now takes just a few hours. We can finally focus on growing our farm instead of just maintaining it."

The equipment has allowed the family to cultivate their land more effectively, transport produce with ease, and maintain healthier crops that yield better quality products. With renewed confidence and capability, the Kodra family now dreams of expanding their vineyard, increasing olive production, and bringing their own olive oil and grape-based products to market.

"This support has given us the motivation to keep going and build something sustainable for a better future," they shared — a testament to how targeted investment in small-scale farmers can transform not just their work, but their entire outlook on what's possible