The background for conducting country study on the challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in the Republic of Serbia has been a wish to further strengthen the Regional Initiative on Empowering Smallholders and Family Farms and develop it towards a stronger programmatic approach at both the regional and the country level. In order to provide support to smallholders and family farms, there has been a need to develop a better understanding and knowledge platform of the main challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in the specific country context. The objective of the country study is first to analyse the development trend and current state of smallholders and family farms, second to study the current political priorities and policies affecting smallholders and family farms, and finally, based on the conclusions made, to provide recommendations, mainly at the policy level, on how to further support the development of family farms and at the same time ensure in general inclusive growth, improved rural livelihood and the reduction of rural poverty.

The farm structures in the countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are highly diverse, but in most of the countries are still largely dominated by smallholders and family farms. Supporting smallholders and family farms is one of four priorities for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Europe and Central Asia, confirmed by the FAO Regional Conference in 2018. FAO established in the region in 2014 the Regional Initiative on Empowering Smallholders and Family Farms for Improved Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction (Regional Initiative 1) as a programmatic umbrella for the implementation of support to smallholders and family farms in the programme countries in the region. During 2018-2019, FAO REU conducted country studies on the needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in eight countries of the region. Seven of these were funded from a regional project (TCP/RER/3601) and the Serbian study was financed from extra budgetary funds. The countries were selected from among those where smallholders and family farms dominate the farm structures and from the various sub-regions so that together they provide a regional overview. The countries covered in the report are Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia and Tajikistan. The methodology was common among the eight country studies, although with some variations from country to country due to differences in national contexts. The eight studies were elaborated by national experts supported by international consultants and FAO technical guidance. The research methodology combines the use of desk research and statistics, interviews with key stakeholders, workshops with key stakeholders and decision makers, and the use of qualitative cases.

The background for conducting country studies on the challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in seven countries has been a wish to further strengthen the Regional Initiative and develop the initiative towards a stronger programmatic approach at both the regional and country levels. To provide support to smallholders and family farms, there has been a need to develop a better understanding and knowledge platform of the main challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in the specific country context. Even though many of the challenges are the same throughout the region, there are still significant variations among the countries; it is important to recognize and understand these variations when designing support to smallholders and family farms in each specific country. It has been the objectives of the country studies first to analyze the development trend and current state of smallholders and family farms in the specific country, second to study the current political priorities and policies affecting smallholders and family farms, and finally, based on the conclusions made, to provide recommendations, mainly at the policy level, on how to further support the development of commercial family farms and at the same time ensure in general inclusive growth, improved rural livelihood for women and men and the reduction of rural poverty for all. It is hoped that each country study will not only be relevant for FAO but also for governments, donors and other international organizations when formulating policy and preparing programmes.

The National Gender Profile for Serbia represents the first comprehensive and structured attempt to collect and analyze available secondary data across all sectors relevant to agriculture and rural livelihoods. It provides a profound analysis of gender issues in agriculture, food security, and rural livelihoods. By this, the assessment contributes to the existing body of knowledge on rural women's status, establishes connections between gender inequalities and agriculture and food security, and sustainable development in Serbia, and suggests areas for future work to responsible stakeholders and FAO.

The background for conducting country studies on the challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in seven countries has been a wish to further strengthen the Regional Initiative and develop the initiative towards a stronger programmatic approach at both the regional and country levels. To provide support to smallholders and family farms, there has been a need to develop a better understanding and knowledge platform of the main challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in the specific country context. Even though many of the challenges are the same throughout the region, there are still significant variations among the countries; it is important to recognize and understand these variations when designing support to smallholders and family farms in each specific country. It has been the objectives of the country studies first to analyze the development trend and current state of smallholders and family farms in the specific country, second to study the current political priorities and policies affecting smallholders and family farms, and finally, based on the conclusions made, to provide recommendations, mainly at the policy level, on how to further support the development of commercial family farms and at the same time ensure in general inclusive growth, improved rural livelihood for women and men and the reduction of rural poverty for all. It is hoped that each country study will not only be relevant for FAO but also for governments, donors and other international organizations when formulating policy and preparing programmes.

Nutritional and Health Aspects of Food in the Balkans s introduces and analyzes traditional foods from the Balkans. Beginning with the eating habits in Balkans, this book unfolds the history of use, origin, compositions and preparation, ingredient origin, nutritional aspects, and the effects on health for various foods and food products of the region. Nutritional and Health Aspects of Food in the Balkans also addresses local and international regulations and provides suggestions on how to harmonize these regulations to promote global availability of these foods. A volume in a series co-produced with Global Harmonization Initiative, Nutritional and Health Aspects of Food in the Balkans is sure to be a welcomed reference for nutrition researchers and professionals, including nutritionists, dieticians, food scientists, food technologists, toxicologists, regulators, and product developers as well as educators, and students. - Analyzes nutritional and health claims in the Balkan region - Includes traditional foods from the Balkans - Explores both scientific and anecdotal diet-based health claims - Examines if foods meet regulatory requirements and how to remedy noncompliance - Reviews the influence of historical eating habits on today's diets

Smallholders play an important role in agriculture and in rural areas in the countries in South Europe and Central Asia. Furthermore, the countries are still largely dominated by smallholders. Supporting smallholders is one of four priorities for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Europe and Central Asia. As such, during 2018-2019, FAO REU conducted country studies on the needs and constraints of smallholders in eight countries of the region1. A Regional Synthesis Report was prepared based on these studies. The generic needs, constraints and challenges for smallholders were outlined, and policy recommendations were generated.