Food waste (FW) is a very serious issue not only in ethical and social terms, but also given its economic and environmental impacts (cf. resource wastage and depletion). Recent data show that more than half of food wastage in the European Union is generated in households. FW is unfortunately not well addressed in Albania. For this reason, an exploratory online survey was carried out in the period August–November 2016 with 185 Albanians to analyse the causes, extent and implications of household food wastage in Albania. Most of the respondents have a high education level, which might have affected the survey’s outcomes. Nevertheless, results showed that awareness about negative impacts of FW is still low. Alongside, although FW seems high, few public initiatives and campaigns are put in place to tackle the issue. Therefore, it’s time to move towards a comprehensive strategy that raises awareness on FW negative impacts in the Albanian society and increases knowledge on food purchase management, consumption habits and related food storage.

The main aim of this paper was to describe the activity of the artisan cheese dairy and agri-tourism on the example of the farm “Wańczykówka”, which is located in the village of Krzeszów in the south Lower Silesia. The original source of information was used in the study, which was obtained by direct interview with the owner of the analyzed object. The farm is located in attractive tourist areas and has a good chance of developing non-agricultural activities as an additional source of income. The paper presents the motives for starting a business and characteristics of the farm profile. In addition, it was discussed the sourcing of raw materials and characterized the product variety, as well as the offer of agri-tourism services. The described artisan cheese dairy combined with agri-tourism is an excellent example of pursuing an interesting form of entrepreneurship in the countryside as well as promoting of local quality food. #0#

This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of the structure and determinants of intra –industry trade specialization in agro food sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina over the transition period. The empirical analysis based on calculation of the following indicators: Grubel – Lloyd index (GL), Revealed Comparative Advantages (RCA indicator) and Relative unit value (RUV indicator). In order to show the level of intra-industry trade specialisation and to examine comparative advantages at sectoral level, as well for individual product group, are calculated Grubel – Lloyd index and RCA indicator. RUV indicator is used for analysis of two components of total intra-industry trade (TIIT); horizontal intra – industry trade (HIIT) and vertical intra- industry trade (VIIT) of agro-food products in Bosnia and Hercegovina. The analysis and calculations of above mentioned indicators are conducted using the data about international trade of agro-food products in Bosnia and Hercegovina for period of time 2008-2015, as well data at 4 – digit level, classified according to HS (Harmonised System). The final analysis in this paper is finished through applying K - means cluster analysis. K - means method was used for identificiation of different clusters of agricultural and food commodity groups related to comparative advantages, level of specialization in intra – industry trade, as well as the ratio between unit value export and unit value import. The emprical results indicated that GL index for observed period at sectoral level is lower than 50 %. The values of RCA indicator for agro-food sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina in international trade and to important trade markets indicate lack of comaparative advantages. In the structure of intra – industry trade is dominated vertical specialization.

Agricultural production in the Republic of Srpska is faced with numerous risks. However, little attention has been paid in the past, to the surveys of the agricultural risk management and insurance. After the general overview of basic risk types and risk management instruments in agriculture, the second part of the paper presents results on significance and acceptance of insurance services in the Republic of Srpska covering a five-year period (2010-2014). Based on the survey results, the authors conclude that although 88% of insurance companies do offer insurance products to farmers and 15% of farmers use the insurance products to manage their risks, this market segment is insignificant compared to the overall insurance market. In conclusion, the authors try to indicate the ways of stronger cohesion between farmers, insurance companies and government which would contribute to the establishment of integrated and sustainable risk management system in the agriculture of the Republic of Srpska.

One of the most challenging issues for the countries that are in the process of accession to the European Union is the reform of agriculture, precisely agricultural policy and its compliance with the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union (CAP). The strategic orientation of the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina is a full EU member status, which is defined with signatory to the Stabilization and Accession Agreement in 2008 and confirmed with Application for membership in the European Union, submitted in February 2016. Considering the upcoming accession negotiation process, the reformation of agricultural sector is necessary in all areas of development: production, policy and legal framework and institutional development. Until 2015 Republic Srpska made and adopted two key strategic documents that determine the directions, objectives and measures for developing of agriculture and rural areas. Recently the Republic of Srpska adopted a new strategic plan for the development of agriculture and rural areas for the period 2016- 2020. Considering that agriculture budget represents a first indicator of the countries sector priorities, objective of this paper is to provide analysis of agricultural policy through the agricultural budget of the Republic of Srpska and its compliance with Common Agricultural Policy of the EU. Comparative analysis is related to the period 2006 – 2014 using EU methodology for the classification of agricultural measures (pillars and axis). Research results show that the structure of measures and scope of budgetary support, defined within agricultural policy of the Republic of Srpska is not compatible with Common Agricultural Policy of the EU.

Agriculture plays an important socio-economic role in Serbia in terms of contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment, especially for almost a half of the population living in rural areas. However, Serbian agriculture and rural areas face many socio-economic, political and governance problems. The paper aims at analyzing governance and coordination of agricultural and rural development (ARD) in Serbia. Research is based on an extensive literature review and primary data collected through a questionnaire survey performed in summer 2013 with representatives of 120 public, civil society and international organizations. The survey focused on problems regarding ARD policy cycle (design, implementation, and monitoring & evaluation) and multi-stakeholder and cross-level coordination. The Law on Agriculture and Rural Development sets agricultural policy objectives and provides a general rural policy framework. Many public (national, regional and local), civil society and international organizations are involved in the ARD arena. Lack of appropriate human resources is a problem in all three phases of ARD policy cycle. Coordination is ineffective at central as well as local level due to, among others, inadequate vertical and horizontal cooperation and information dissemination mechanisms. Serbian agricultural and rural policy requires fundamental reforms at all levels and in the whole policy cycle. More attention should be given to rural development. Participation of civil society organizations and the private sector in policy design and evaluation should be enhanced. Building the capacity of human resources dealing with ARD policy is a priority. Improved policy governance and coordination should be operational and by fostering complementarities between stakeholders across administrative levels

A growing body of evidence shows that agriculture is no more sufficient to ensure sustainable rural development in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) therefore rural livelihoods diversification is crucial. Farm activity diversification issue can be considered in terms of resources (land, labor or capital), location (on-farm or off-farm) and output (farm or non-farm). Well-developed financial systems are associated with more rapid and inclusive rural development and foster rural economy diversification. The paper aims at analyzing rural livelihoods diversification in south-eastern BiH with a particular focus on the influence of household financial management. The paper is based on an extended literature review and a questionnaire survey performed in March 2013 with 147 randomly selected rural households from nine municipalities in south-eastern BiH. The majority of the surveyed rural households (68.7%) have mixed (farm and non-farm) livelihoods. Household sources of income are quite diversified and many rural households have different non-farm income sources. More than two-fifths of the surveyed households had an activity on development or started new non-farm businesses in the last five years. However, about a half of these gave up because of many problems such as the lack of financial resources and time. Weak business skills are also a limiting factor. Financial literacy is often lower in rural areas. Moreover, it is positively associated to education level and negatively correlated to age. It comes no surprise that well educated and young rural people are those who started more new diversification businesses during the last five years. They find it less difficult to deal with paperwork, bureaucratic procedures and administrative documentation needed to make request for loans. Effective household financial management, depending mainly on household head financial skills, plays a significant role in determining livelihoods strategies and diversification endeavors success. Research article