La Transumanza della Pace

La Transumanza della Pace is an idea that was born in 2009 in September with the arrival of prof. dr. Gianni Rigoni Stern, who was invited by theatrical artist Roberta Biagiarelli with the idea to help in a graft donation project. Seeing that the surrounding villages of Srebrenica, as well as other towns around it: Bratunac, Milići and Vlasenica, were overgrown, that a large number of pastures and meadows were unusable, he came up with the idea that the easiest way for farmers to clean overgrown areas would be to increase livestock and which would, through grazing, clean already overgrown areas.

Given that the Birač region is rich in natural resources, great potential for agriculture, the initiative has grown into something concrete, initially through educational and advisory seminars and training, until 2011 when the first distribution of heifers for breeding breed Renden and that is 48 heads, for the purchase of which funds were set aside from the autochthonous province of Trento, which were distributed to the returnee population in the municipalities of Srebrenica and Milići. The donation of heifers for breeding continued in the next three years, where 30 heifers were donated every year.

By expanding the activities, as well as increasing the number of realized projects, an association of citizens called “Transhumanca of Peace” was founded, which also uses the name “La Transumanza della Pace” in 2016. One of the main initiators of the establishment of the association and the implementation of projects is Gianni Rigoni Stern, the son of the famous Italian writer and historian Mario Rigoni Stern, who recognized the potential for rural development in Northeast Bosnia.

In the period from 2009 to 2021 many projects were implemented that strengthened agricultural production, as follows:- By increasing the number of livestock by importing and donating heifers for breeding breeds Rendena, an autochthonous Italian breed.- By donating 3 large tractors, and participating in the purchase of two smaller tractors, as well as numerous mechanization, attachments, milking machines, drinkers, etc …-Three crutches with a capacity of 12 berths, a maternity ward and a lactofreeze room were built, respecting the strictest standards in production, which are reflected in increased hygienic and sanitary conditions with air exchange, more light, more space, new stalls and fences, to guarantee well-being and health animals.- Initially, 100% financing of veterinary supervision over donated animals was performed, while three years ago the veterinary supervision project was co-financed in such a way that the farmer, i.e. the owner of the animal paid 30%, while the difference of 70% was also co-financed from the project supported by indigenous Province of Trento.- Every two years, high-frozen seeds are imported for artificial insemination, in order to maintain purity of the breed.- Three barns have been expanded with an additional three pairs of bindings to farmers who have expressed interest, and who have the opportunity to expand the number of livestock, and which project is funded by the Protestant Church – Chiesa Valdese – Otto per Mille.

Future activities of “Transhumance of Peace” will relate to the maintenance and evolution of existing projects, development of agritourism, development of eco-tourism, improvement of organic production and all activities that will benefit the local population and the environment in which they live and work.

The most important and current project is the construction of a dairy in the municipality of Milići, which is planned to be realized by the end of 2022.

Every project, completed, implemented or planned, by the association “Transhumanca mira” has one ultimate goal, which is to provide the residents of not only the region, but throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, a chance to staying and advancing in the sector in which they find themselves.