Leaving Skopje to Milk Goats

We are wrapping up the last days of 2020 with the most searched readings on Kajak.mk.

Read the story published in September:

The first tourism server for domestic and international travel, 'Kajak.mk,' continues to promote domestic rural tourism and the young people who are making small contributions with great significance in the development of Macedonian tourism.

Today we meet David, a young man who, 8 years ago, moved with his family from Skopje to the village of Raštak. He is known for the new innovative and young dairy brand 'Kozi Mleko Planina.'

This village, where he decided to invest, was not chosen by chance, as his grandparents spent their lives in this very place. He says that he didn’t find himself much in the city, so he decided, together with his family, to 'put their land to use.' To begin with, they bought 10 goats and started learning about goat farming and how to process milk into dairy products.

KAJAK: Hello, David. How did you come to start something like this?

The decision was a family one and was studied for a long time. The choice to raise goats was determined by the village’s terrain, but also self-education. The advantages of goat milk and dairy products, which are nurtured around the world, unfortunately, had been somewhat forgotten here, and the continuity of this sector had been interrupted.

KAJAK: What motivated you? How did you find yourself in this?

The transition wasn’t exactly easy, but I believed in what we were doing. What motivated me was the fact that, in the past century, many people and children suffered in the big wars, but also the hungry and thirsty in Africa in this century, which filled me with shame and pity for the challenges they faced. I didn’t need much to find myself in this, since I studied archaeology (unfortunately, I had to abandon my studies) and had the opportunity to get to know nature and its challenges, as well as its gifts, much like in prehistory.

KAJAK: We see that your friends from Skopje helped you this weekend. What do they think about your idea and business?

Yes, this weekend I had help thanks to the initiative of my friends. I don’t have time for socializing or going down to Skopje because we’re in the middle of the milk and dairy season. I really needed help but didn’t know how to ask for it; something was holding me back, but I was pleasantly surprised by their enthusiasm and determination. It felt like when I first heard "With A Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker, the 1969 Woodstock version. Truly wonderful. I’m glad that interest in helping on the farm is growing. My friends are still around me and believe in my actions and vision.

KAJAK: Where do you see yourself in the future?

Animal husbandry is a profession where you think medium and long-term. We have many ideas, but also a lot of work to bring them to life. The most important thing is to stay healthy and keep moving forward, taking life one day at a time.

KAJAK: What do you recommend to young people?

I recommend that everyone strives to live in harmony with nature and take care of their own health and the environment. Given the circumstances we live in, I believe more and more young people will be encouraged to turn to agriculture and animal husbandry.

KAJAK: How can people access your product? Where can they find you?

For information about our way of life, our products, and how we operate, anyone interested can find us on our Facebook profile "Kozi Mleko Planina," the Facebook page "Kozi Mleko Planina," or on Instagram @kozimlekoplanina.

KAJAK: Are you open to guests interested in rural tourism?

In the near future, we will have surprises in several areas.