TIRANA, January 20 /ATA/ Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla signed today the cooperation agreement within the framework of the ‘Toka’ project, with the municipalities of Devoll, Erseka, Maliq, Pogradec and Korça, as well as with the University of Korça. This agreement paves the way for implementation of a new cooperation model for the development of agriculture and rural areas.
The Albanian-American Development Fund (AADF) funds the ‘Toka’ project, in partnership with Dutch Wageningen University. And the project will be piloted in Korça Region based on Dutch Diamond Model.
During the signing ceremony, Minister Salla said that this project represents a new approach to agricultural development. “The ‘Toka’ project sets a cooperation model that connects institutions, scientific knowledge, innovation and farmers, to build a modern and competitive agriculture”, he said.
According to the minister, the project aims to design a path of development for eco-agriculture, build the Knowledge and Information System in Agriculture, improve food safety and build capacities in education and scientific research. “This cooperation is a concrete step towards a sustainable agricultural sector in line with European Union standards,” emphasized Salla.
Also present at the event were Speaker of the Parliament and at the same time the political leader of Korça region Niko Peleshi, the mayors Sotiraq Filo, Eduard Duro, Gëzim Topçiu, Erion Isai, Ilir Xhakolli, the rector of the University of Korça, as well as representatives from the AADF. /e.xh/r.e/a.f/p.s./
