TIRANA, Dec 4 /ATA/ The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Andis Salla, met with Sameh Naguib Wahba, the World Bank’s Regional Practice Director along with the institution’s technical team, to discuss the ‘Climate Resilience and Agricultural Development’ (CRAD) project.
At the meeting, Minister Salla highlighted the 33-year partnership between Albania and the World Bank, noting the institution’s significant contribution to advancing reforms and promoting sustainable growth in the agricultural sector.
He emphasized the strategic importance of the CRAD project, particularly in the areas of smart agriculture, strengthening laboratory capacities, and developing the olive cluster.
The Minister also praised the progress made in establishing the ‘Berati 2400 Years’ olive oil consortium, an initiative funded by the Albanian Government and technically supported by the World Bank. The consortium aims to unite 50 farmers and value-chain actors for the production and marketing of olive oil under the ‘Made in Berat’ brand, creating a sustainable brand for both the domestic and international markets.
In addition to Berat, five other municipalities—Fier, Gjirokastër, Elbasan, Lezhë, and Vlorë—have been selected as pilot areas for establishing similar consortia, laying the foundation for a national cooperation network in agriculture and boosting the competitiveness of Albanian products.”
The meeting also addressed further opportunities for cooperation, including the preparation of a pre-feasibility study on dam safety, investments in food safety and laboratories, the expansion of smart agriculture beyond the pilot area, as well as the continuation of interventions in the irrigation system in Lushnjë.
Minister Salla expressed his full commitment to the successful completion of the Mid-Term Review Mission, which will take place within the month of December, as well as his willingness to further strengthen cooperation with the World Bank in support of the long-term development of the country’s agricultural and rural sectors.
/j.p/sm/
