“Supporting a woman means supporting an entire family.” – Aferdita Murati, Agribusiness Leader, Kastrioti

At 55, Aferdita Murati is not only building a thriving agribusiness—she’s also cultivating hope and opportunity in her rural community. As the head of Kastrioti N.P., a family-run enterprise in the village of Llapashticë e Poshtme in Kosovo’s Podujeva Municipality, Aferdita is proving that women can lead businesses in a way that helps both people and the environment.

What began as a modest production of 5 liters of berry juice per day is about to grow into a fully equipped fruit processing business with the potential to reach a daily capacity of 300 liters, thanks to new technology and a strong partnership with CNVP Kosovo.

“In my case, every bit of support is put to immediate use,” Aferdita says. “If equipment arrives today, it’s in operation by tomorrow.”

With support from CNVP Kosovo, under the SUNREED project funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Prishtina (Sida), Aferdita is now expanding her production capabilities with modern equipment: a high-capacity pasteurizer, a liquid bottle filler, and a seed-removal and grinding machine. Aferdita says that these tools are opening the door to new possibilities for her business.

Kastrioti will soon launch new, environment-friendly products, including teas made from fruit residue and additional varieties of juice. “Nothing goes to waste,” Aferdita says proudly.

Preparing to harvest soft fruits in July—raspberries, aronia, and blueberries—Aferdita collaborates with 50 local farmers, including families who collect wild blueberries and other natural products like cranberries. But her impact reaches far beyond the fields.

“Through our initiatives, we have trained many women and young people who have gone on to start their own businesses,” she says. “We teach them about small fruit processing, cultivation, market entry, business planning, and women’s rights in property.”

For Aferdita, this isn’t just about business—it’s about building futures. The new CNVP-Kastrioti partnership includes improving branding and marketing, increasing access to markets, and offering training on sustainable harvesting. It’s a model that’s lifting entire families—and communities—out of poverty.

“I’m deeply grateful for the support from donors,” Aferdita reflects. “Without it, I don’t know if I would have reached this level of success. While many needs have been met, there is still more to be done.”

Aferdita Murati’s story is a story of growth, shared success, environmental care, and empowerment.