Ines Dundović, a passionate agronomist from Croatia and participant in the Croatian Living Lab of the GRASS CEILING project, has dedicated her career to sustainable vegetable production, processing, and distribution. At 38—almost 39—she has built a business around locally grown food, ensuring that fresh, high-quality produce reaches the tables of families, kindergartens, and schools in her community.
Her journey began in 2015 when she and her family purchased an estate and cultivated vegetables. “Growing food locally was always my goal,” she explains. “I wanted local citizens to have access to fresh, healthy food and, at the same time, encourage others to do the same. It’s not just about farming—it’s about changing awareness and fostering a stronger agricultural community”.
What makes her business unique is its deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and local supply chains. By prioritising short distribution routes, she ensures that her produce maintains its nutritional value while reducing environmental impact. More importantly, her work serves as a model for others, proving that small-scale farming can thrive when integrated into local food systems.
However, the road to success has not been without challenges. “When I first started, agriculture in my area was dominated by older men,” she recalls. “As a young woman, I wasn’t taken seriously. When I got on a tractor for the first time, people assumed I was just pretending. They thought I didn’t belong.” Over time, however, attitudes shifted. As more women entered the industry and proved their capabilities, the landscape of Croatian agriculture began to change.
Despite this progress, bureaucratic hurdles remain one of the biggest obstacles for small farmers. “Paperwork and long administrative processes slow everything down. Many great projects have failed because it can take a year or two just to get approval. By then, many farmers run out of financial resources or lose motivation,” she says. While her location in Križ, just 20 km from Zagreb, provides good logistical connections, access to funding remains a critical issue. “Local funds exist, but they’re small. National and EU agricultural funds are available, but they are underutilised. Farmers need more support”.
For Ines, the most rewarding part of her work is knowing that she is contributing to the health of her community. “I produce healthy food, and I see the impact it has. We always say that food is the best form of prevention—eating fresh, local food keeps us healthy and reduces the need for medicine. I love knowing that people recognise what we’re doing and that others are starting to follow the same path”.
She is also well-connected with other women in agriculture. “Many female farmers are in our area, and we support each other. Initially, some of them were sceptical about how I was doing things, but now we collaborate and share our experiences”. Across Croatia, more and more women are stepping into leadership roles in agriculture, proving that farming is no longer just a man’s world.
Her advice to other women looking to start their businesses? “Find your idea and believe in it. We all have innovative ideas, but the key is determination. Start doing, don’t give up, and keep pushing forward. The challenges will come, but so will the rewards.”