Dairy, Herbs & Handcrafts: Rural Women Innovating in Agriculture and Beyond

Meet Lumnije, born in 1970 in Uçë/Uče village, now settled in Mojstir/e, has always been surrounded by livestock most of her life. After raising her children, she thought about giving up dairy farming—but her love for the work made her stay.

"At first, I just wanted two cows to keep me busy. Then I added a few more, and before I knew it, I had a small dairy business," she says with a laugh.

Today, Lumnije manages 17 cows, producing milk and cheese that supply local restaurants and wholesale buyers. During summer, she and her family take the cows to the highlands, where fresh air and rich pastures improve milk quality. With her husband’s help on heavy tasks, she focuses on maintaining the best dairy standards

Through FAO and UN Women training, Lumnije connected with other women in agriculture, realizing that many shared similar challenges. “It’s comforting to know that I’m not alone in this,” she says. “We learn from each other, whether it’s about farming, business, or just supporting one another.”

Lumnije is currently looking to expand her business slightly, and to do so, she needs a storage facility for livestock food. She hopes that with the knowledge gained and potential grant support, she will be able to achieve this.

A Journey from Survival to Sustainable Craftsmanship

Sheribane, born in 1968 from Vrelle/Vrele, Istog/k began her journey by collecting wild herbs and plants—a necessity at first, later becoming a passion. What started to provide for her family grew into a specialized skill.

"I suffered a stroke many years ago, and my doctor advised me to stay active. Walking in the mountains, gathering herbs, and crafting macrame became my therapy," she explains.

Over time, she mastered the art of collecting and drying herbs, like:

• Cowslip (Primula veris) – harvested in early spring
• Elderflower (Sambucus nigra)
• Linden flowers and young leaves (Tilia spp.)
• St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
• Common Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
• Wild Raspberry Leaves (Rubus idaeus)
• Rosehip (Rosa canina)
• Juniper (Juniperus communis)
• Wild Mushrooms. 

"These are all in high demand and collected by a company that distributes them in the EU," she says. "One can make a living by collecting and drying wild herbs."

This year, she is experimenting with wild apple vinegar, hoping to expand into other natural food products.

Thanks to FAO and UN Women training, Sheribane now understands the business side of her work—how to calculate costs, plan for future investments, and seek funding. “The biggest challenge is drying herbs properly,” she says. “Now I know exactly what kind of equipment I need, and I’m hoping for support to get an industrial dryer.”

Empowered Through Knowledge and Community

Both Lumnije and Sheribane found not just skills but a network of like-minded women through the FAO and UN Women initiative. Whether it’s through dairy, herbal products, or handcrafted items, they prove that rural women can be entrepreneurs, innovators, and change-makers.

"It’s not just about the economy," Lumnije says. "It’s about feeling capable, independent, and proud of what we do."

And in the heart this countryside, their stories of resilience continue to inspire.

Lumnije Musaj and Sheribane Rexhaj Blakaj, both from Istog Municipality, have turned their passion into a livelihood—one through dairy farming, the other through foraging and artisanal production. With support from FAO and UN Women, under the "Promoting Rural Women’s Empowerment’ project, they are now expanding their reach and skills.

The Promoting Rural Women’s Empowerment project is funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with funds of Austrian Development Cooperation