There he has set up an agro-tourism venture that hosts visitors from all over the world.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Anila Denaj appreciated this venture as an excellent collaboration with local farmers.

“With a clear vision to expand livestock activity, he brings to tourists a unique experience that combines fresh “Made in Albania” products, clean air and the natural beauties of Malësia e Madhe”, said Denaj.

The minister expressed her commitment to support with financing agricultural and agro-tourism ventures, which generate employment, more income for the local economy and rural development.

“With the Soft Loan financing line, supported by the Sovereign Guarantee and the Mountain Package, we encourage investments in agro-tourism for the expansion, modernization and development of the local economy”, she said.

On his part, Gëzim said that he has lived abroad for three decades, but has now decided to return and invest in his land, in Malësia e Madhe

He said that, last year during the summer season, his agro-tourism was visited by many foreign tourists, an experience that he thinks will continue this year.

“In the future, I intend to expand the investment in terms of meat production from my livestock farm, realizing a closed cycle with basic products for the restaurant,” said Gëzim, while noting that the agricultural products of the area and the traditional foods of the area are in great demand by visitors. /p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media today the story of Panajot Falo, administrator of the “George” guesthouse in Voskopoja.

“From Voskopoja to Greece and after 30 years back to Voskopoja, where the magic village of bell towers, which was stripped of religion during communism and disfigured during the transition, has been reborn and becomes more and more beautiful day by day, as tourists throng its streets and all kinds of foreign languages ​​are heard,” Rama wrote in the social media.

Panajot Falo recalled the day he left Voskopoja. Then, he thought he would never set foot there again.

“I was wrong. Your home is very dear. In 1990-1991, the village of Voskopoja was in a difficult situation. Like everyone else, we went on emigration. Together with my wife, I went to Zakynthos, worked there for 30 years, the children were born, grew up, studied. The work was very difficult; we were young and worked day and night. I was in construction building stone villas, my wife was an assistant cook in a restaurant. The children grew up and one day we decided to return to Voskopoja”, he said.

“I saw that Voskopoja has developed. I thought that one day I would return and open my own business. We achieved our goal with many sacrifices. I am very happy that I am in my own home, no one orders me. When you are young, you like emigration, to go out, to work, to earn as much money as possible, than back in our country. They go to Germany, work in difficult jobs, pay rent, food, when it comes to work they don’t have as much as here in Albania”, emphasized Falo.

Falo said that, “In the last 4-5 years, Voskopoja has undergone a very big change. My decision was the right one in the right place. When I invested in my house, everything I touch and look at reminds me of my parents, my childhood, my mother, my father and I feel pleasure”.

Agro-tourism is increasingly developing in various tourist areas of the country through established guesthouses. The transformation of rural areas into attractive landscapes has encouraged the creation of agro-tourism, as a new model of rural development in Albania, while incentive policies aim to return emigrants to their homeland, to invest in family properties.

The government’s agricultural program focuses on developing the countryside and rural tourism through support mechanisms, to increase agro-tourism activities and guesthouses, which have become attractions of particular interest for the many visitors and tourists who frequent them in every season of the year. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

During a meeting with farmers in Shirgjan, Elbasan, PM Rama took the example of an emigrant who returned two years ago from emigration and who has now built his own greenhouses and works for himself.

“I thank you very much; you come from Greece and today you earn more than you earned in Greece. You have your own greenhouses, you make your own profits, you are both the owner and the worker here, you work for yourself”, Rama said to the farmer.

The prime minister called on all those who are in exile to return.

“I’m talking about those who do ordinary work; I’m not talking about those who deal in drugs, who are a minority, despite the fact that they leave a stain on us all, nor about those who may have business there; I’m talking about those who do a usual job; anyone who is in emigration today, who does an ordinary job there, now has the opportunity to return and have a piece of land from his grandfather, a ruined house not here must come to Albania. He should invest in the village, invest, do a small business in the village, be it an agro-tourism, be it a greenhouse, be it a small farm, and he will earn at least double what he earns there, as an employee of someone else and will have much less expenses than what is there compared to what he receives. This is certain”, said Rama./p.s./