THE ROLE OF HUMAN CAPITAL IN SHAPING ATTITUDES AND ADOPTING ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA

Andjelka Tripkovic; Ljiljana  Arsić; Sanja  Dobričanin; Lela  Ristić

doi:10.59267/ekoPolj2603783P

Authors

Andjelka Tripkovic University of Priština with temporary seat in Kosovska Mitrovica, Faculty od Economics, Kolašinska 156, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3972-4933
Ljiljana Arsić University of Priština with temporary seat in Kosovska Mitrovica, Faculty od Economics, Kolašinska 156, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3582-8161
Sanja Dobričanin University of Priština with temporary seat in Kosovska Mitrovica, Faculty od Economics, Kolašinska 156, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1804-9374
Lela Ristić University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Economics, Liceja Kneževine Srbije 3, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4590-8261

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59267/ekoPolj2603783P

Keywords:

human capital, workforce, organic agriculture, adoption of practices, agricultural holdings, Kosovo and Metohija

Abstract

This paper examines the role of human capital andworkforce characteristics in shaping attitudes andadopting organic agricultural practices in Kosovoand Metohija. The research is based on a quantitativeapproach, using survey data collected from agriculturalproducers and analyzed through multiple linearregression. The results indicate that the level ofknowledge, perception of the importance of humancapital, and workforce characteristics have a statisticallysignificant impact on attitudes toward organicproduction, with the model explaining a substantialportion of the variability. The findings confirm thathuman capital represents a key determinant in theadoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Theresults further suggest that enhancing education, skills,and access to information can positively influencethe development of organic agriculture. Therefore,strengthening training programs and institutionalsupport for producers is recommended.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Bojičić, R., & Tripković, A. (2022). State of organic production in Кosovo and Мetohija – great perspective or idea without the future. Economics of Agriculture, 69(2), 549–566. https://doi.org/10.5937/ekoPolj2202549B

Bojičić, R., & Tripković, A. (2023). Uticaj organske proizvodnje na poslovanje poljoprivrednih gazdinstava. Ecologica, 30(111), 375-382. https://doi.org/10.18485/ecologica.2023.30.111.5

Canavari, M., Gori, F., Righi, S., & Viganò, E. (2022). Factors fostering and hindering farmers’ intention to adopt organic agriculture in the Pesaro Urbino province (Italy). AIMS Agriculture and Food, 7(1), 108–129. https://doi.org/10.3934/agrfood.2022008

Doss, C., Meinzen-Dick, R., Quisumbing, A., & Theis, S. (2017). Women in agriculture: Four myths. Global Food Security, 16(1), 69-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2017.10.001

Erokhin, V., Tianming, G., Chivu, L., & Andrei, J. V. (2022). Food security in a food self-sufficient economy: a review of China’s ongoing transition to a zero hunger state. transition to a zero hunger state. Agricultural Economics/ZemědělskáEkonomika, 68(12).

Eti, H. S. (2025). The effects of Perceptions of Economic Sustainability and Barriers on Organic Farming Omplementation. Sustainability, 17(2), 786. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020786

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2023). The status of women in agrifood systems. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc5343en (accessed: February 19, 2026).

Hatzenbuehler, P. L., & Peña-Lévano, L. M. (2022). Adoption Potential of Sustainability Related Agriculture Technologies for Smallholder Farmers in the Global South. Sustainability, 14, 13176. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013176

Ignjatijević, S., Vapa Tankosić, J., Puvača, N., Carić, M., Rajković, A., Lekić, S., Tomašević, V., Vapa, B., & Prodanović, R. (2022). Influence of human capital on the performance of organic milk production. Mljekarstvo, 72(3), 140-150. https://doi.org/10.15567/mljekarstvo.2022.0303

Klerkx, L., & Rose, D. (2020). Dealing with the game-changing technologies of Agriculture 4.0: How do we manage diversity and responsibility in food system transition pathways?. Global Food Security, 24, 100347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2019.100347

Knowler, D., & Bradshaw, B. (2007). Farmers’ Adoption of Conservation Agriculture: A Review and Synthesis of Recent Research. Food Policy, 32(1), 25–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2006.01.003

Läpple, D., & Kelley, H. (2013). Understanding the uptake of organic farming: Accounting for heterogeneities among Irish farmers. Ecological Economics, 88, 11–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2012.12.025

Luković, M., Pantović, D., & Čelić, I. (2026). Green human resources management in the environmental protection institutions: qualitative study in the Republic of Serbia. BizInfo Blace. https://doi.org/10.71159/bizinfo260004L

Milardo, R. (2025). The role of knowledge and innovation in organic farming systems: A systematic literature review. Sustainability, 17(14), 6563. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146563

Möhring, N., Muller, A., & Schaub, S. (2024). Farmers’ adoption of organic agriculture: A systematic global literature review. European Review of Agricultural Economics, 51(4), 1012–1044. https://doi.org/10.1093/erae/jbae025

Nguyen To The, T., Tiet, T., Nguyen Anh, T., & Nguyen The, P. (2025). Impact of human capital and risk preferences on farmers’ decisions towards sustainable farming practices: A meta analysis. Journal of Environmental Management, 392, 126752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126752

Ogunya, L., & Tijani, A. (2022). Economic Efficiency of Organic Farming Adoption by Cocoa Farmers in Southwest, Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Economics, 7(1), 36–48. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijae.20220701.16

Radović, G., Zejak, D., & Pejanović, V. (2023). Agricultural budget in the function of organic agriculture development in Serbia and Montenegro. Economic of Agriculture, 70(2), 645–659. https://doi.org/10.59267/ekoPolj2302645R

Raveloaritiana, E., & Wanger, T. C. (2024). Decades matter: Agricultural diversification increases financial profitability, biodiversity, and ecosystem services over time. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.05599

Ristić, L., Despotović, D., & Veselinović, P. (2023). Organska poljoprivreda kao faktor razvoja zelene ekonomije. Ecologica, 30(112), 505-515. https://doi.org/10.18485/ecologica.2023.30.112.1

Rizzo, G., Migliore, G., Schifani, G., & Vecchio, R. (2024). Key factors influencing farmers’ adoption of sustainable innovations: A systematic literature review and research agenda. Organic Agriculture, 14, 57–84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-023-00440-7

Sapbamrer, R., & Thammachai, A. (2021). A Systematic Review of Factors Influencing Farmers’ Adoption of Organic Farming. Sustainability, 13(7), 3842.https://doi.org/10.3390/su13073842

Stanojević, J., Krstić, B., & Đekić, S. (2015). Analiza produktivnosti rada sektora poljoprivrede Republike Srbije. Ekonomske teme, 53(4), 479-494. http://www.eknfak.ni.ac.rs/src/Ekonomske-teme.php

Tomaš Simin, M., Glavaš-Trbić, D., Milić, D., & Janković, D. (2024). Human capital as a development factor of organic agriculture in the Republic of Serbia. Economic of Agriculture, 71(2), 485–501. https://doi.org/10.59267/ekoPolj2402485T

Valencia, V., Wittman, H., Jones, D., A., & Blesh, J. (2021). Public Polices for Agricultural Diversification: Implications for Gender Equity. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7, 718449. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.718449

Willer, H., Trávníček, J., Meier, C., & Schlatter, B. (2024). The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics and Emerging Trends 2024. Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) & IFOAM – Organics International. https://www.fibl.org/fileadmin/documents/shop/1747-organic-world-2024_light.pdf (accessed 20 February 2026).

Wollni, M., & Andersson, C. (2014). Spatial patterns of organic agriculture adoption: Evidence from Honduras. Ecological Economics, 97, 120–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2013.11.010

Zhou, X., & Ding, D. (2022). Factors Influencing Farmers’ Willingness and Behaviors in Organic Agriculture Development: An Empirical Analysis Based on Survey Data of Farmers in Anhui Province. Sustainability, 14(22), 14945. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214945

Младеновић, M., & Бојичић, Р. (2021). Анализа ставова привредника из српске заједнице на Косову и Метохији о Мини Шенген иницијативи. Међународни научни скуп „Значај Мини Шенгена за евроинтеграције Западног Балкана“, 12- 13. Новембар, Косовска Митровица, 150-168. [in English: Mladenović, M., & Bojičić, R. (2021). Analysis of the attitudes of entrepreneurs from the Serbian community in Kosovo and Metohija toward the Mini Schengen initiative. International Scientific Conference “The Importance of Mini Schengen for the European Integration of the Western Balkans,” November 12–13, Kosovska Mitrovica, 150–168.]

Трипковић, А. (2024). Људски капитал и економски аспекти развоја органске пољопривредне производње на Косову и Метохији (докторска дисертација). Универзитет у Приштини, Економски факултет, Косовска Митровица. [in English: Tripković, A. (2024). Human Capital and Economic Aspects of the Development of Organic Agricultural Production in Kosovo and Metohija (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Priština, Faculty of Economics, Kosovska Mitrovica.