At 1,500 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountains and fresh air, Jelena Vujičić from Bijelo Polje starts each morning with her goats. Her farm currently has 24 dairy goats and eight new kids – and from their milk, Jelena and her husband produce cheese, yogurt, and whey, all made with great care and love.
“Every morning and every evening, I milk the goats, and that is our rhythm of life,” Jelena says. “We prepare our food ourselves, from what we produce. We know what we eat and what our children eat – and that is our greatest wealth.”
After studying in Serbia and living in the city, Jelena decided to start a new chapter with her family – returning to nature and starting a farm in a rural household. “We see a future here in the countryside, above all. We have clean air, clean water, and food that we produce ourselves, so our children live healthily.”
Jelena is one of 3,375 women in Montenegro who run their own agricultural households. Increasingly, women like her are establishing modern farms and family businesses, not only improving agriculture but also transforming rural life.
“We have machinery we can use; we don’t milk the goats by hand but with a milking machine, which is easier because we have roads and everything is close. I don’t lack anything here,” Jelena explains. She encourages other young women to return to the countryside, noting that conditions are easier than in the past. “It is certainly better to live here because we produce our own healthy food and know what our children eat. With family support, nothing is difficult,” she says.
Thanks to support from the EU’s IPARD II program, Jelena received a grant for rural tourism development – 70% of the investment for building three typical mountain houses will be reimbursed from EU funds, and the state waived VAT costs. “This is a huge encouragement for us. We want people to come, try local products, and experience the beauty of rural life,” Jelena says.
With family support, hard work, and dedication, women like Jelena show that the countryside can be a place of progress and a fulfilling life. They create opportunities where none existed before, combining tradition, knowledge, and a modern approach to agriculture.
Therefore, on 15 October, International Day of Rural Women, we remember all women who maintain the rhythm of life in the countryside, produce food, raise families, and build communities. Jelena Vujičić is just one of them – but her story represents many who have chosen to stay, create, and inspire others to see the beauty in a simple yet rich rural life.
Author: Ana Palibrk