Mamushe, 24 July, 2024
On the occasion of marking the opening of the 15th edition of the International Tomato Festival, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, accompanied by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hajrulla Çeku and the Minister of Regional Development, Fikrim Damka, last night participated in the traditional opening of this festival. There he was welcomed by the Mayor of Mamusha Municipality, Abdulhadi Krasnič. The Mayor of Ankara Municipality, Mansur Yavas, was also present.
Prime Minister Kurti began his speech by expressing his deep condolences on the occasion of the death of the former chairman and initiator of the Tomato Festival, Arif Bytyq.
He continued by appreciating the farmers of Mamusha as good workers and a good example for Kosovo. Further, he added that when we talk about Mamusha, we also talk about hardworking people who develop their activities in the cultivation of the highest quality products and with the largest production in the country.
Regarding the support from the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, in this case through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, the Prime Minister underlined that the farmers of Mamusha have benefited over 10 million euros from 2021 to 2024. This support has influenced in the increase in the production quantity, especially of tomato, whose surfaces have increased by 100% compared to 2021, which has increased the export value by more than eight times, and the quantity, by almost eight times.
“What we aim as a government is to increase the support and increase the value of our agricultural products, and in this case especially tomatoes through the grant scheme. At this stage we have supported the increase of greenhouse surfaces, especially in Mamushë, thanks to the organization and of your work, and this means more production. I wish you to increase the range of by-products through storage and processing”, said the prime minister.
So “Domatja juaj në sofrën tonë, nga toka jonë!”
In addition to the expansion of areas with tomatoes, the Prime Minister also mentioned the increase of areas with greenhouses, through support through grants from the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, and especially in Mamushë, where the work, dedication of farmers, organization and production is to a greater extent great.
He also emphasized that the investments in the road “Bashqe” through the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, in the House of Culture through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, are other additional investments that will gradually, but surely, make Mamusha and Kosovo a country prosperous through the appreciation of work and hardworking people.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
First, allow me to express my condolences for the death of the former chairman and initiator of the Tomato Festival, Arif Bytyqi.
The honorable mayor of the Municipality of Mamusha, Mr. Abdulhadi Krasniç,
The honorable mayor of the Municipality of Ankara, Mr. Mansur Yavas,
The Honorable Minister of Regional Development, Mr. Fikrim Damka,
The honorable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Mr. Hajrulla Çeku,
The honorable ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Kosovo, Mr. Sabri Tunç Angılı
Honorable members of the Assembly of the Republic, Mr. Enis Kervan and Mrs. Fidan Jilta,
Deputies of the Assembly of the Republic of Turkey, and mayors of municipalities,
Dear guests from Turkey,
Dear attendees,
Ladies and gentleman,
Sisters and brothers,
It is a pleasure to be among you at the opening of the 15th “International Tomato Festival”, here in Mamushë.
The hard-working farmers of Mamusha have made the country and their products known, now even outside of Kosovo, with their dedication to agriculture, especially tomatoes. Therefore, farmers and your organization are an example that should be followed all over Kosovo, because in addition to being valuable for you, it is for us, for all of Kosovo.
In Kosovo, often when talking about Mamusha, they talk about the landscape of greenhouses and about hardworking people, that is, farmers!
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, has constantly increased and will increase the support and care for our agricultural products and for our working farmer. From 2021 to 2024, the farmers of Mamusha have benefited from the ministry over 10 million euros, and this support has also influenced the increase in the amount of tomato production, of course, in the quality of your life.
With our increased support, according to this year’s applications for subsidies, the areas with tomatoes have increased by 100% compared to 2021. Also, the export has increased both in quantity and value. Specifically, from 72,821.00 euros as it was in 2021, it is now 603,065.00 euros or over eight times more, or translated into quantities from 137,231 kg, now the export quantity is 1,055,342 kg – almost eight times more.
Therefore, we expect that with our ever-increasing tomato production, within a few years we will cover the needs of the local market, but also export more and more, as far as possible, the products of our country. So ” Domatja juaj në sofrën tonë, nga toka jonë!”
What we aim as a government is to increase the support and increase the value of our agricultural products, and in this case especially tomatoes through the grant scheme. In this phase, we have supported the increase of greenhouse surfaces, especially in Mamushë, thanks to your organization and work, and this means more production. I hope that in the coming years you will increase the range of by-products through storage and processing.
Investments in the road of “Bashqe” through the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, in the House of Culture through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, are other additional investments that will gradually, but surely, make Mamusha and Kosovo a prosperous country through evaluation of work and working people.
Knowing your commitment to development and progress, I invite you to invite your friends and diaspora to invest in Kosovo, to invest in Mamushë, especially in the food processing and textile sectors.
This traditional festival of Tomatoes is another added value both in social, economic and cultural terms.
Finally, I wish you a pleasant evening, and I hope you enjoy the program of this magnificent festival, so rich in activities.
Thank you!
Thank you so much Mamusha!
Last modified: July 24, 2024