Photo: Screenshot from the YouTube channel - @GlasHercegovine

Filip Krišto spent 12 years in Germany, but the fast-paced life and ever less time for family ultimately prompted him to make a major change.

With his wife and three children, he returned to his ancestral land in the village of Zagoričani, between Šuica and Livno, where he started a livestock farm. He told his story in a report published on the YouTube channel Glas Hercegovine.

As he says, he earned good money in Germany, but money did not bring him the satisfaction he had expected. 'The more money I had, the unhappier I became. You spend more, but you remain trapped,' he honestly described the period that preceded his return.

What worried him most was the upbringing of his children, who spent most of their time between home, kindergarten, and school. Filip believes he could not give them the freedom that he himself had with the forest, the mountain, and the animals. After arriving in Herzegovina, he says, the children blossomed and began to enjoy life in the countryside.

From Germany to a flock of sheep

At the family estate, he currently keeps 110 sheep, and his plan is to acquire another 250 head. At first, he wanted to raise beef cattle, but due to circumstances related to the land, he ultimately decided on sheep. That choice proved suitable for the mountainous region where he lives.

He entered livestock farming without much experience, but a breeder from Rostov, who has been in that business for half a century, helped him. From him, he learned how to care for sheep, when to apply the necessary medicines, and how to recognize possible health problems. Filip claims he has never regretted his decision.

The life of a livestock farmer is not simple, however. During mowing, the working day lasts up to 14 hours, while in winter, during lambing season, it is necessary to be with the flock almost constantly. He acquired his own machinery, and produces hay on approximately 40 hectares of land made available to him by local residents because fewer and fewer people engage in agriculture in that area today.

Wolves are not the only threat

In addition to hard work, one of the biggest challenges is wolves. Filip protects the flock with electric fences, high mesh fencing, as well as Tornjaks and Kangals. 'Without good dogs, there is nothing,' he says, warning that a larger pack can cause enormous damage in a very short time.

He considers the import of cheaper meat an even bigger problem, because domestic producers can hardly compete because of it. According to him, a kilogram of live weight would have to be worth at least 11 to 12 convertible marks for breeding to be profitable. If the price falls below ten marks, the producer operates at a loss, so Filip sees the future in his own processing and direct sale of domestic meat.

'My dream came true'

For the purchase of a new baler for efficient collecting, pressing, and tying of hay, straw, and haylage into cylindrical bales, he received support from the City of Livno, and he expects that with the development of the business he will be able to use other programs intended for farmers and returnees as well. He is aware that much more work and investment still await him, but he says he no longer wants to return to his old way of life. 'I don't need anything, I just want my children and family to be happy. I returned home and my dream came true,' Filip concluded.