We visited the Stevanović family, beneficiaries of our Second Public Call, to talk to them about honey production, the realization of previous project activities, challenges they face, and the potential for strengthening collaboration through the training and workshops we will organize.I have been engaged in beekeeping since 1995, almost 30 years now. Initially, it was a small beekeeping operation with 20 beehives that I inherited from my father-in-law. My wife helped me the most, and for about 10 years, not much happened. Then, year by year, we increased the number of beehives, and slowly our daughter got involved in the process. And for the past three years, my son-in-law, who is now my biggest help and support, joined in. We all live together and collectively work to improve our production," starts the story Radiša Stevanović, the host and head of the household.The Stevanović household is also involved in farming, but the main source of income comes from beekeeping, which they certainly dedicate the most effort and attention to. In order to improve their production, it was necessary to make advancements and modernize their equipment and processes. "Given the increase in the number of beehives, we had to modernize the equipment we had. We had one truck for moving the beehives, and then we bought another one, but the biggest problem was loading and unloading the beehives. We cannot obtain a satisfactory amount of honey through stationary beekeeping; hive migration is necessary. Finding workers for loading and unloading is also a major problem. About 4 years ago, there was a lecture for beekeepers in Vrnjačka Banja, where I heard from a beekeeper who worked in New Zealand and managed 2,000 beehives. He told us about hive migration and his experience. He showed us a machine in his presentation, which is the one we acquired through the Project for Competitive Agriculture in Serbia," Radiša explained. Interest in purchasing such a machine to ease the work on the farm increased, and because of that, Radiša started regularly following the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Directorate for Agrarian Payments, as well as the Ministry's and SPOS's (Serbian Beekeepers Association) Viber groups, to have access to information about grants and subsidies. The Ministry of Agriculture provided subsidies for equipment but not for such machines. Until last year, when, through the Second Public Call within the Project for Competitive Agriculture in Serbia, carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management in collaboration with the World Bank, the acquisition of machines that the Stevanović household needed became possible. "I consulted another beekeeper from our region and decided to apply. We gathered the necessary documentation and submitted it within the timeframe specified in the call. I was seventh on the final list, with over 70 points. We engage in organic production, which gave us additional points, as well as being from an area with challenging conditions. When we received and signed the Decision, we relatively quickly completed the credit procedure with the bank. In addition to this machine, the investment also included solar panels for the apiary, SMS scales, and a few other smaller items," Radiša said, emphasizing that beekeeping is seasonal work, and the whole family is dedicated 100% to working with the bees. <blockquote>While the bees are making honey, we don't have much work, but when the beehives are full of honey, we don't even know if it's day or night. That's when my wife helps the most. We created labels for our honey because we also have organic production and want to be recognizable and visible. We mainly produce acacia honey, which is for export; they say Serbian acacia honey is the best. That's what they say. The purchased machine has eased our work and the process leading to the final product. The funds we received are of great significance to us, and I would recommend everyone to apply because if they don't apply, they can't receive anything. The process is not too easy, but you certainly have to make an effort to gain something."</blockquote>

We visited the Stevanović family, beneficiaries of our Second Public Call,