Irma Burkić: This is not an easy job, but we are investing in our future

They inherited the livestock business, raising sheep and cows, from Nedžad’s parents. Irma spearheaded the idea to expand, leading to the establishment of a farm with a shop. Today, their shop has become a regular stop for many travelers, who frequently purchase homemade cheese and butter from their production.

“In our domestic production, we make Livno hard cheese, fresh cheeses, and butter. These have been produced in the family for years, but my husband and I managed to open a shop that is now widely known, attracting customers from all over to buy our products. This was a big step forward because registering the business made the production much more professional and motivated us to do more and better,” Irma explains.

Currently, their farm has around 300 sheep and 20 cows. Irma jokingly notes they don’t need certification because their products sell out within 24 hours of being made. In addition to dairy products, they produce meat for their family, and she takes pride in ensuring her family enjoys healthy, organic food.

“Raising livestock is a daily commitment—you don’t get vacations or days off. To maintain quality and consistent production, you must be dedicated every day. I take care of the cows, and my husband manages the sheep. It’s not an easy job; it requires constant effort, but at least we know we’re investing in our future,” says Irma.

A key goal of the project “Women Driving Resilience in Agriculture and Rural Areas” is to ensure that women rural entrepreneurs in Bosnia and Herzegovina are visible, included, and recognized as key actors in the development of rural areas. To ensure the relevance and effectiveness of project activities, consultative research included women entrepreneurs like Irma Burkić at various stages.

Women rural entrepreneurs participated in a series of consultative workshops organized across BiH, sharing their experiences, challenges, and recommendations for starting and running their agribusinesses. Focus groups provided insights from women in diverse rural communities, shaping the strategic directions of the project to align with their real needs and priorities.

Despite the demanding nature of farm work, Irma’s dream of a thriving business will be complete once they can hire additional staff for the shop, allowing her and her family some well-deserved rest. Still, she adds that if given the choice, she would choose the same path again.

The visit to Ecolife Farm was part of the “Women Driving Resilience in Agriculture and Rural Areas” project, aimed at recognizing rural women entrepreneurs as pivotal to rural development in BiH. The project is supported by Sweden and jointly implemented by UN Women and FAO.