RURAL WOMEN FROM ROMANIJA KEEP THE SECRET OF "SKORUP-KAJMAK"

Less than two kilometers from the Han-Pijesak – Karaula road lies the untouched nature of Romanija. This place is the home of Romanijski Skorup-Kajmak, made according to a special local technique that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Nada Maksimović, the president of the Association of Romanijski Skorup-Kajmak, is one of those who preserve this production from oblivion. The association, formed five years ago, aims to bring together women from the rural areas of the Romanija mountain, protect this indigenous product, and introduce new practices in quality control and hygiene standards of local farms to expand production.

"The association has 24 members from the municipalities of Han-Pijesak, Rogatica, and Sokolac. All association members are women who keep from 7 to 12 cows in their household farms. Due to secure purchase, they sell raw milk to a local dairy, and only surplus is used for the production of Romanijski Skorup-Kajmak. We want to make our product recognizable in the market throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, thus enabling current association members to direct the produced milk to this production. Of course, later we want to expand the number of members and capacities," says Nada.

Currently, production is around 3,000 kilograms per year, but with the establishment of product infrastructure and meeting market placement requirements, members express readiness to direct significantly larger quantities of milk to this production.

"The special production technology of Romanijski Skorup-Kajmak is preserved in the eastern parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Namely, an integral part of the technological process of producing this indigenous product is smoking, which affects its sensory characteristics, primarily taste, smell, and color, making it recognizable and different from other varieties of skorup-kajmak produced," explains Nada.

Nomadic livestock farming has been present in these areas since ancient times. Precisely because of its location, tradition, and customs, the Romanija mountain has preserved some peculiarities that are then seen in food, attitude towards nature, and working with animals.

"When our story is heard, I believe many will recognize the need to preserve the secret of Romanijski Skorup-Kajmak and expand its production. This can bring a new perspective for sustainable development and the villages of the Romanija region," concludes Nada.