TIRANA, May 25/ATA/ Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla stated today that the National Agricultural Support Scheme 2026 opens an excellent opportunity for the local farmers to reduce their costs and grow their production.
During a press conference, the minister also presented the initiative to organize farmers in Agricultural Cooperative Societies (ACS), which he described as an important instrument for strengthening the agricultural sector, formalizing it and increasing competitiveness in the market.
“Supporting farmers and agriculture presents a significant opportunity for growth and sustainability,” said Salla.
According to him, there is work underway in 26 municipalities in the country, where the first 300 farmers have been involved towards organizing themselves to produce in a united manner, while the process is also being expanded to other municipalities with agricultural potential.
These models include various crops and areas of the country, such as fruits and vegetables, olives in Berat, Elbasan and Vlora, aromatic and medicinal herbs in Malësi e Madhe and Belsh, onions in Korça and walnuts in Kolonja. Meanwhile, the process of creating Agricultural Cooperative Societies is also underway in Shijak and Shkodra.
Salla emphasized that this model of cooperation between the farmers and municipalities creates opportunities to enter larger markets and increase agricultural exports.
“This new way of cooperation manages to reduce production losses by up to 25%,” said the minister.
He underlined that this is a model built according to European Union standards and is supported by both the National Scheme and the funds addressed by the EU for the development of the sector. The minister announced that Agricultural Cooperative Societies have the opportunity to benefit from full support through the measures foreseen in the financial schemes, in order to increase production and empower Albanian farmers. /e.xh/a.f/p.s./
