TIRANA, October 4 /ATA/ “Farm diversification is one of the most significant economic prospects for the Albanian village that we have politically targeted, also because of the average-size areas of the land.”
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Frida Krifca made the statement as she presented the model of the traditional guesthouse created by the Dragu family, in the village of Lëpushë in Malësia e Madhe, thanks to the support of the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (ARDA).
“This is how the Dragu family has done. The family has invested in rural tourism opening the house for visitors and not being detached from agricultural and livestock activity so that to enable a more sustainable economy for the family”, said Krifca.
Lëpushë Mountains are distinguished for their special natural beauties. With the support of ARDA, the residents of the area are transforming their homes into guesthouses that provide accommodation for various tourists and promote the development of agri-tourism in the area.
There are over 70 investment applications in the agro-tourism sector, of which the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (ARDA) informs that 50 are selected investments, within the IPARD II program, that will enter into contracts for grant financing from this program.
While, so far, through the IPARD II program for the measure “Diversification of farms in agri-tourism” 16 financing contracts have been concluded and the relevant investments for these projects are being carried out.
Agri-tourism has become an engine of economic development for very remote agricultural and livestock areas and incentive policies are oriented according to the demand and need of rural entrepreneurs. /j.p/r.e/p.s./
